At the Harris Family Law Group, our California family law attorneys in Pasadena are dedicated to producing unique solutions for each of our clients, whether they are seeking guidance on prenuptial agreements, are trying to understand how divorce will affect their finances, or how they can gain custody of their children once their marriage is over.
These are all deeply personal issues that require the help of an experienced Los Angeles County family law attorney who can provide both the legal point of view and the skill our clients need to achieve their goals, so they can move forward with confidence.
There are more than 141,000 people who live in Pasadena, California, and our skilled family law attorney, Jeffery L. Harris, believes each of those who need a divorce attorney should have access to specialized representation without the expensive fees that most lawyers charge.
Our committed divorce attorney in Pasadena represents clients using a flat rate fee, so our clients know our costs upfront and are never overwhelmed by the cost of getting their family dynamics back on track.
We represent clients with vigor in each of the following practice areas:
If you need an experienced family law lawyer in Pasadena to help get your personal and family life back on track, contact our skilled attorney to schedule a free consultation today.
Crafting a legally binding prenuptial agreement is an intelligent start to any marriage.
What used to be viewed as a plan for divorce, prenuptial agreements are now signs of a healthy and happy marriage, as each spouse can outline their marital goals, including full disclosure of their assets and debts, and what happens if they part.
At the Harris Family Law Group, our Pasadena family law attorneys have created many prenuptial agreements that provide security for both spouses by including some of the most important factors for each.
Common components of a California prenuptial agreement may include:
Prenuptial agreements also provide protection for business owners that do not want their interests affected by the marriage or a divorce.
Just as important as what can be included in a prenuptial agreement are the items that cannot be included.
Our Pasadena divorce attorneys explain to our clients the importance of understanding these factors, so they understand what they will still need to address if their marriage dissolves.
Factors that cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement include:
Personal details like maintaining a certain weight or mentions of the couple’s intimate life or demands are not recognized as serious factors of divorce.
A prenuptial agreement is valid and legally binding once it is signed by both parties.
However, there are certain matters that will deem a prenuptial agreement void:
Simply put, if the details within your prenuptial agreement were not listed honestly, the contract is void. If one party takes advantage of the other, perhaps making them sign a prenuptial agreement that is unfair or submits the document for signing under duress — say, an hour before the wedding with a threat to call it off if he or she does not — the contract is void. If there is any mention of language that promotes divorce — like “if you _____, I can get a divorce” — the contract is void.
While couples can certainly outline the details they would like to include in their prenuptial agreements, it is important to consult with an experienced family law attorney in Pasadena, CA to ensure your rights are protected, and that the language in the document stands up to scrutiny when it is time to enforce it.
Many prenuptial agreements outline the way in which the couple will settle any potential disagreements, such as using mediation or arbitration.
Family law mediation provides a productive, non-confrontational platform for spouses to outline the solutions for matters that are not included in their prenuptial agreement, including important factors like child custody and child support.
Mediation also allows our clients to maintain control of the process — and the details they decide between the two parties — as these sessions are private and cannot be disclosed, even inside a courtroom.
At the Harris Family Law Group, our Pasadena divorce attorney also guides our clients through the mediation process, so they can spend less time and money dealing with outstanding marital issues, and more time planning the details of their new life without delay.
If you are interested in preparing a prenuptial agreement before your marriage or would like to enter mediation to determine solutions for the outstanding factors, contact our skilled Pasadena family law attorney at the Harris Family Law Group today by calling (310) 745-8644 to get the experienced legal guidance you need to protect your future.
California does not require that you be separated for any amount of time before you can file divorce. You can still be living with your partner and even still be considered to be in a relationship and file for divorce.
A de facto relationship is a relationship where two people are living together and are a couple, but are not married to each other.
Cheating does not affect spousal support in California. If your spouse cheated on you but they were not working, you could still be required to pay spousal support.
Is it always a good idea to get a prenuptial agreement, especially if you both have high assets that you are bringing into the marriage. Even if you both come from wealth you assume if you get divorced you’d both be fine money wise, but you don’t want to have to split everything in half. Or if you had a high asset that you wouldn’t want to lose, getting a prenuptial agreement is a great idea.
In California the only way parental rights can be terminated is by the courts. A parent can’t voluntarily give up their rights to avoid paying child support. Most courts in California will not terminate parental rights.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are both recognized in the state of California. Postnuptial agreements need to be approved by the courts to be considered valid. Be sure to speak with a Pasadena family lawyer to ensure that you prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is valid and will hold up in court.
In California if you are receiving alimony you need to claim it as income on your taxes. You will have to pay state income tax on your alimony payment, but you don’t have to pay federal income tax.
Debts in California are considered to be a community property state, meaning all debts acquired in the marriage you are both responsible for. This includes debts you didn’t know about or assets you didn’t know about.
In order to get a divorce in California one spouse has to have lived in the state for at least six months. You also need to have lived in your county for at least three months in order to file for divorce in that county.
These directions are from Google Maps starting from:
Pasadena, CA
Total Est. Time: 32 mins
Total Est. Distance: 26 miles
Call Us:
310-745-8644
We are located at:
6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500
Los Angeles CA 90045
