Marina Del Rey Family Lawyer

Dealing with issues with your loved ones can be hard and sometimes unexpected. Family issues can arise whether you wish for them to or not, and some issues may only be resolved through legal means. This can be stressful and can weigh on your mind, spirit, and heart.

When you’re faced with divorce, separation, or delicate issues related to your children, you want an attorney who can help you navigate those issues and who knows all of the intricacies of family law. You need an experienced attorney who is compassionate and who is committed to fighting for your best interests. The family law attorneys of the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield in Marina Del Rey are just who you need to help you reach the outcome you’re hoping for. Call us today at (310) 546-5858 to discuss the serious issues you’re facing.

Family Law Matters We Handle

The family lawyers at the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield handle a range of family law matters in Marina Del Rey, CA. Our attorneys can help you with the following issues:

• Divorce and Alimony
• Separation Agreements
• Domestic Partnerships
• Property Division
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Child Support, Child Custody, and Visitation
• Paternity Tests
• Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
• Adoption

We also offer civil legal services, including business and property valuations, real property appraisals, and lawsuits for non-domestic harassment.

Divorce in California

Choosing to file for divorce requires careful thought. It’s not an easy decision to come to. Once that decision is made, what follows can be a long, confusing, mentally and emotionally taxing road. The law that applies to divorces in California is complex, and an experienced family law attorney from the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield can help you proceed through this legal challenge.

California is a no-fault state. This means that when an individual files for divorce, they do not have to provide a reason as to why they want a divorce. You may file for divorce and cite “irreconcilable differences.” This basically says that there is nothing else that can be done to make the marriage work. You may also be granted a divorce if your spouse is deemed medically or psychiatrically incapacitated.

Part of the difficulty of divorce, aside from the emotional effects of the ending of a union, is determining the division of assets and property and spousal support.

Except in cases of separation where spousal support is not agreed upon in the separation agreement, spousal support is awarded to a spouse based on the standard of living that the spouse became accustomed to during the marriage. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining both who is owed spousal support and the amount of that spousal support. These factors include, but aren’t limited to, both spouses’ financial status, their ability to financially maintain the same standard of living as during the marriage, their financial and other supportive contributions during the marriage, and the length of the marriage. Spousal support may be awarded to a spouse for a specified period of time or until any contingencies stipulated in the divorce occur.

You can’t make assumptions about which party in the marriage will pay spousal support, who will be owed spousal support, nor how any assets and property will be divided, as the facts of each divorce case are different. The attorneys of the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield will let you know your options and will provide you with the legal support you need to advocate for your rights in your divorce or separation.

Determining Child Support and Child Custody in California

Whether a determination needs to be made about child support and child custody as a result of a divorce or not, coming to an agreement on both is difficult and can be contentious. Each party wants what is best for their child.

In California, it is expected that both mother and father equally support the child or children that they share until the child finishes high school or turns 19, whichever happens first. California implements a statewide, objective guideline when determining child support amounts so that the best interests of the child remain the top priority. An objective calculation is used to determine the amount of child support, in which both parents’ incomes and with which parent the child will primarily reside are taken into account. Primary residence is based upon where the child spends 51% or more of their time.

The child’s best interests remain the top priority when making decisions about child custody and visitation. There are two forms of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody of a child is the right to make legal decisions regarding the child’s medical and educational needs, upbringing, religious practices, etc.

The child or children reside with the parents who have physical custody of them. It is the primary preference in California to grant custody to both parents, where each of the child’s parents has both legal and physical custody of them, which is also known as joint custody. The courts prefer joint custody arrangements unless custody by one of the parents involved would be to the child’s detriment.

The family attorneys of the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield will fight hard for your parental rights and for the interests that you believe are best for your child or children.

Why You Need the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield

Attorney Baden Mansfield has been practicing law for over 40 years. Mr. Mansfield has decades of experience in trial law and all areas of family law. Not only is he seasoned in the complex field of family law, but he’s also compassionate and understands that many of these issues are extremely delicate and can have a profound and lasting impact on the clients he serves.

Contact the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield Today

If you are considering a divorce or separation or have filed for a divorce, or you’re dealing with a disagreement as to the welfare of your child, or if you are seeking protection from an abusive partner, you need a lawyer who is both compassionate and skilled in family law to help you navigate these complex and difficult waters. The Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield can help you in your time of need. Call us today at (310) 546-5858 for a confidential consultation or reach out to us online.