Diligent Divorce Lawyers Serving Sonoma County, CA

When you need effective, professional divorce counsel in Sonoma County,  Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. can help.  We focus solely on family law matters and fully devote our time and attention to compassionate, client-centered representation with intelligent solutions to even the most complex family issues.

At the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our Sonoma County divorce attorneys assist clients with uncontested divorces, contested settlements outside of the courtroom, highly disputed litigious divorce trials, and much more.  When you select our firm to handle your divorce, you receive:

• Competent, knowledgeable divorce representation;
• Honest, practical advice that suits your lifestyle and circumstances; and
• Dedicated, determined counsel that strives to meet your goals and expectations.

Call the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. in Sonoma County today and schedule your private consultation with a divorce attorney.

How Can Our Sonoma County Divorce Attorneys Help You?

It is imperative you have an experienced divorce attorney representing your interests throughout your divorce proceedings.  Divorce attorneys are vital allies who protect your personal and financial best interests during a divorce and provide valuable advice to help you avoid common divorce pitfalls that could land you back in court shortly after your divorce is finalized.

At the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our Sonoma County family law attorneys believe it is crucial to have an attorney to assist you during any divorce, contested or not, to avoid errors and move your case expeditiously through the divorce process.  Please let our attorneys help ensure your divorce is correct and complete, especially in the event that:

• Your spouse already has a divorce attorney;
• You have assets or real property to divide;
• You are unsure about support or assets to which you are entitled;
• You have children and need a parenting plan and proper child support calculation;
• You cannot communicate with your spouse;
• You have any questions about the legal paperwork associated with a California divorce; and
• You have any questions about California’s laws regarding divorce.

Should you need experts to value property or divide complex assets, the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. is experienced in high-value and complex asset divorces and will gladly retain any professionals that are needed.

Sonoma County Divorce Lawyer Quick Links

• Residency Requirements/Grounds for a Divorce in Sonoma County 
• Waiting Period and Property Division for a Sonoma County Divorce
• Spousal Support Information
• Child Custody and Visitation For Sonoma County Divorces
• Child Support in Sonoma County
• Contact Us

Helpful and supportive

Debra and team were so helpful and supportive through the most difficult time in my life.  Grateful to the team for their advice – would highly recommend their services to anyone needing a divorce attorney.

J. J. San Francisco

Residency Requirements for a Divorce in Sonoma County

In California, one spouse must be a state resident for at least six months before filing for divorce.  The filing spouse must also live a minimum of three months in the county they file.

What Are The Grounds for Divorce in Sonoma County?

There are two legal grounds for divorce in California:

1. Irreconcilable differences, causing an irrevocable breakdown in the marriage; and
2. Permanent legal incapacity to make decisions.

Other grounds for divorce no longer exist in California.  Fault is not a factor in the court’s financial or property decisions.

To divorce on the grounds of permanent legal incapacity to make decisions, a doctor must determine that one spouse is permanently unable to make decisions for him- or herself.

Waiting Period for a Divorce in Sonoma County

California has a waiting period for getting divorced.  Spouses cannot finalize their divorce until six months after “the date of service of a copy of [the] summons and petition or the date of appearance of the respondent, whichever occurs first.”

There are no exceptions to this waiting period.

Property Division in Sonoma County

Sonoma County abides by California’s property division laws, and California is a community property.  This means that any property and debts spouses acquire during the marriage are shared equally between the two upon divorce.  Community property generally includes everything received during the marriage except for separate gifts and inheritances.

Separate property is not divided between spouses upon divorce.  Separate property is:

• Anything owned by a spouse before marriage;
• Rents, profits, or other money earned from the separate property;
• Property bought with the separate property; and
• Anything acquired after the date of separation, including monies earned.

Property can become “commingled” or mixed.  In these situations, an experienced divorce attorney can assist in the valuation and division of assets.

Spousal Support in Sonoma County

Spousal support can be a temporary order made only for the time period during the pendency of the divorce or included as part of the final order in the divorce judgment.  Temporary support is calculated according to the California child support guidelines.  Spousal support as part of a final divorce judgment is determined according to a set of statutory factors considered by the court.

These factors include, but are not limited to:

• The length of the marriage or domestic partnership;
• What each person needs based on the standard of living they had during the marriage or domestic partnership;
• What each person pays or can pay to keep the standard of living they had during the marriage or domestic partnership;
• Whether having a job would make it too hard to take care of the children;
• The age and health of both people; and
• Debts and property.

Child Custody and Visitation in Sonoma County

California has two types of child custody: legal and physical.  Parents may share both types of custody whenever possible—parents who can are asked to make their own custody decisions.

When parents cannot agree on custody, the court makes custody and visitation arrangements on their behalf based on the best interests of the child.

These include:

• The child’s health, safety, and welfare;
• Whether either parent has a history of abuse against the child or the other parent;
• The nature and amount of contact with both parents;
• Whether either parent has a history of illegal use of controlled substances, alcohol, or prescribed medications; and
• Any other factor the court deems relevant.

Child Support in Sonoma County

Child support follows a set of guidelines in California that include a mathematical calculation.  This formula considers the following:

• The parents’ incomes;
• How much time each parent spends with the child; and
• Any tax deductions that are available to either parent.

Many other factors such as special needs and daycare costs can be added into a child support calculation.  In extreme cases, there are protocols for deviation from the guidelines to ensure fairness to children and their parents.

Contact A Seasoned Sonoma County Divorce Attorney

If you are ready to discuss your upcoming or pending divorce matter with a professional, contact the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.  We are California family law attorneys. Our only focus is our clients.

At the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we take conflict resolution seriously and will mediate or negotiate your case to meet your divorce goals.  However, we are aggressive courtroom attorneys trained in high-conflict, high-stakes litigation.

Meet with one of our skilled attorneys today to discuss our approach to divorce cases, strategies, and how we can work together to resolve your divorce. Contact us today!

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At the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our Sonoma County family law attorneys believe it is crucial to have an attorney to assist you during any divorce, contested or not, to avoid errors and move your case expeditiously through the divorce process.  Please let our attorneys help ensure your divorce is correct and complete, especially in the event that:

Your spouse already has a divorce attorney; You have assets or real property to divide; You are unsure about support or assets to which you are entitled; You have children and need a parenting plan and proper child support calculation; You cannot communicate with your spouse; You have any questions about the legal paperwork associated with a California divorce; and You have any questions about California’s laws regarding divorce.

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Irreconcilable differences, causing an irrevocable breakdown in the marriage; and Permanent legal incapacity to make decisions.

Other grounds for divorce no longer exist in California.  Fault is not a factor in the court’s financial or property decisions.

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