Costa Mesa Family Law Attorney

Costa Mesa Family Law Attorney

Raising a family in Costa Mesa can be a complicated yet rewarding experience. Unfortunately, family matters arise that can cause friction and arguments among loved ones, and these can be difficult to resolve on your own. No matter your situation, a Costa Mesa family law attorney can evaluate your situation and determine how to resolve your dispute.

Moranda Law Firm, APC: Your Costa Mesa Family Law Attorney

You and your spouse may have made the complex decision to divorce yet can’t agree on specific terms for child custody or alimony. Perhaps you may be involved in a domestic partnership and wonder if you would benefit from getting married. When facing these legal uncertainties, a family law attorney can help you find answers and solutions.

Our team at Moranda Law Firm, APC, is committed to resolving family disputes and legal issues in a professional and concise manner. Even if there isn’t a massive conflict over child support and you’re just looking to protect yourselves from these matters, we can help.

Our firm can examine cases thoroughly and precisely, looking for any evidence that can be used to defend you in court. We hope you’ll come to us when you’re looking for a Costa Mesa family law attorney, as we can lend our experience to several different areas of family law.

What Is Considered Family Law?

Family law involves any legal issues pertaining to the family. There are multiple different practice areas in family law that we can help our clients with, all of which are unique and challenging on their own. We can perform legal work in the following practice areas:

Divorce

Divorce across Costa Mesa is common, and the process is confusing and emotionally tough, no matter the case. Divorce can affect you in several ways, whether it’s mental, emotional, or financial. If you and your spouse owned a business together, this can create additional complexities when navigating this process.

Child Custody

Even if you’re divorced, your children should still be your priority. Forming child custody agreements can become contentious rather quickly, especially if one parent wants to relocate or see their child more often. Because there is a lot of information that must be gathered and processed before finalizing an agreement, you may worry that the agreement may be finished without going through it all.

Ultimately, the child’s interests are prioritized over the parents’, even if the child custody process does not arrive at the conclusion you want. Having an attorney representing your interests can greatly improve your chances of a favorable outcome in child custody cases.

Child Support

Children must be cared for financially alongside having parental support. Child support cases are arguably the most contentious since they involve parents, children, and finances. When an attorney gets involved in the matter, they can look at the case objectively and determine how this matter should be addressed. The court may struggle to reach a clear decision if your case becomes emotionally charged, but an attorney’s precise arguments can make a significant difference in how child support is decided.

Domestic Violence

Our staff at Moranda Law Firm, APC, take domestic violence claims incredibly seriously. Domestic violence can put partners and children in severe danger, and if you experience this in any form, you must seek legal help immediately. There are also cases where someone may be falsely accused of domestic violence, which is why these issues take careful consideration and precision to fully navigate.

Fathers’ Rights

We’ve seen several instances of a father being denied the right to see his child as often as he should. Some judges are biased toward the mother in child custody matters, but if there’s a concern regarding the mother, we want to ensure that your rights are protected. Even then, fathers deserve to support and care for their children just as much as mothers do.

Paternity

Parents who aren’t married or the mother must establish paternity to have rights to the child. Filling out the required paperwork is one way to address this situation, and if you’re involved in a domestic partnership, you may want to pay close attention to current paternity laws in Costa Mesa.

These categories are only a few that fall under family law, and there are other cases that can still be difficult to work through, such as property division or spousal support. Doing this alone is theoretically doable, but we highly recommend against it. Also, you may worry that you won’t have the money to hire an attorney, but our team provides help to make the financial side of our services more bearable.

Why You Need a Family Law Attorney

Costa Mesa’s legal system is known for its vast array of details and overall complexity. When you or your spouse decide to pursue legal action, you need a knowledgeable attorney to walk you through the process.

Proper Representation

Some couples opt to try to work through these matters by themselves, but this is risky. For example, suppose a divorcing couple is trying to determine what to do regarding child support, but the father realizes that his rights are being infringed upon. He isn’t caught up with recent changes in family law, and he’s not completely sure how to defend himself. Because he didn’t hire a lawyer, he fails when representing himself and can’t defend his rights accurately, leading to a troublesome outcome.

Secure Your Financial Interests

One major reason people neglect legal assistance is due to financial reasons. While we completely understand this mentality, we still advise people to seek legal representation regardless. This is to increase the odds that you can reach an acceptable and appropriate final outcome.

Also, you may save money in the long term despite making a big financial payment at once. Should there be a legal dispute that can earn you compensation, your attorney can get you more than you would have achieved on your own, even considering the additional legal fees.

Legal Support While Life Goes On

Finally, family law attorneys are committed to finding evidence and building a strong case for you as you attend court. You likely have a job that needs your focus, or your children need you for whatever activities are going on.

Instead of adding perplexing legal matters on top of your busy schedule, let us address them for you. We can work on your case while you put your focus on other events going on. We know how crucial family is in any given scenario, which is why we want you to spend as much time with them as possible while we manage your case.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in California?

A: There is no set amount that family lawyers will charge for their services, but most lawyers will charge somewhere between $200 and $900 per hour. This may sound like a lot, but it’s important to remember that if you aim to seek compensation for your case, you may garner enough to cover these payments while also covering other expenses. Don’t hesitate to ask your potential lawyer how much they charge for their services, as it’s wise to know ahead of time.

Q: How Much Does a California Child Custody Attorney Cost?

A: As with family lawyers, there is no set amount for how much child custody lawyers will charge for their efforts. Retainer fees may hover around $3,000 to $5,000, but if you need additional work from them, they may charge up to $500 additionally. Child custody cases are intense and require precision to navigate correctly, so paying this amount to ensure a positive outcome may be what you need.

Q: How Long Do Family Law Cases Take in California?

A: We can’t give anyone a definite amount of time for how long their case will take. Usually, these cases can last up to 18 months, but this can take more or less time, depending on the circumstances. For instance, a divorce case may only take up to six months to complete, whereas a domestic violence case may last at least a full year. The amount of time spent on your case also depends on whether you hired legal representation.

Q: Do You Need a Lawyer for Family Court in California?

A: Technically, no. You are not required to hire a lawyer for family court in California. However, it’s essential that you don’t overlook the benefits that a lawyer can provide. They can gather relevant information and evidence and create a case for you while you tend to other family matters. Also, because of how intimidating the legal system can be, a lawyer can confidently present your case and fight for your rights.

Moranda Law Firm, APC, Can Help With Your Family Law Case

For almost a decade, our team at Moranda Law Firm, APC, has carefully listened to our clients’ concerns and worked tirelessly to find a resolution that they can be satisfied with. We know how stressful your family law matters can be, especially when you have other aspects of your life to focus on. Regardless of whether your divorce is emotionally challenging or if you need to hold your spouse liable for domestic violence, we’re here for you.

The legal system in Costa Mesa may be daunting, but we’re ready to walk you through it, no matter what. If you need a Costa Mesa family law attorney, contact us today so we can provide you with a case evaluation.