At the Harris Family Law Group, our experienced family law attorneys in Van Nuys understand that our clients are going through life-changing transitions, and we want to empower them along the way, so they can make informed decisions about their futures.
Our Los Angeles County family law lawyer, Jeffery L. Harris, provides a customized legal approach for each of our client’s unique needs, because we believe the solutions that are right for you and your family may not pertain to another client’s case, so it is important to listen to your specific needs and design personalized legal remedies that will prioritize your goals.
We do so by providing a free initial case assessment, so our prospective clients can ask questions and learn more about our Van Nuys family law firm. How can we help you?
Our skilled family law attorneys in Van Nuys, California represent individuals who are pursuing positive, life-changing solutions in the following practice areas:
Our dedicated Van Nuys family law attorneys will provide you with the personal, educational, and legal resources you need to succeed inside and outside the courtroom, so you can move forward with confidence.
The very first thing our California Family Courts want to impress upon newly divorcing parents who have minor children is that the kids’ best interests come first.
If you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse cannot outline a shared parenting and child custody plan on your own, or through mediation, the courts will make these important decisions for you, which may require an in-depth look into both parents’ lifestyles.
The initial important factors that are weighted include prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of the children.
Next, the judge will hear arguments from both sides regarding the children’s physical and emotional ties to their school, community, activities, and family existing family dynamics — including their relationships with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
Finally, any history of abuse, neglect, or mental incapacity will weigh heavily on their decision, as it should.
The courts focus on concrete evidence in child custody cases, as they know during a Van Nuys divorce — especially one where the parents are fighting over who gets the children — they are likely to say anything to harm the other’s chances.
Our divorce and child custody lawyers in Van Nuys will help build your case for success by outlining parenting facts, parent-child relationship connections, and the overall reality of your kids’ complete needs, so the bigger picture is on display for evaluation.
Judges are not interested in the details of heated divorces, and that includes any personal grudges you and your soon-to-be-ex are holding over each other.
Unwillingness to collaborate with the other parent will only be met with contempt from the courts, as their goal is to ensure both parents remain involved in their kids’ lives going forward.
Here are few tips to remain in the court’s good graces while navigating a child custody agreement:
The judge may ask that the parents work together to create a parenting plan that is best for the children. If you or the other spouse scoffs at this request, the judge may require you to undergo counseling and try again.
The better you can demonstrate how far you are willing to go for your kids, the better your position.
If the other parent’s activities, parenting skills, and daily interactions with the children are harmful, negligent, or dangerous in any way, write it down.
The most obvious circumstances that must be shared with your Van Nuys divorce and child custody attorney would be any comments the children have made about inappropriate, neglectful, or abusive forms of parenting.
Make your attorney immediately aware of any domestic violence circumstances, which can include police records, and photos of injuries or property damage.
Save all emails, text messages, or social media posts that demonstrate the other parent’s negative behaviors and share them with your Van Nuys family law attorney.
If there is proof of drug or alcohol dependency, tell your attorney about that too.
Be mindful of how you communicate with the other parent and avoid emotional outbursts when discussing the children. The reality is, if you are documenting the other parent’s behavior, he or she is almost certainly doing the same.
Divorce is often the perfect time to start anew, which could mean a new outlook on life, a new house, or a new city.
When one parent wants to relocate with the children, and has a custody agreement in place, they must get the court to approve the move — especially if they are leaving California altogether.
When a parent has primary physical custody, he or she may be able to move away with the children unless the other parent can show that the move would harm them.
If both parents have joint physical custody of the children, the parent who wants to move is going to have to provide convincing evidence that the move is in the best interests of the children.
This is not easy, but also not impossible. If you were already in a contentious custody battle, asking to move with your children is probably going to restart that fight.
Talk with your Van Nuys divorce and child custody attorney about your plans and get the legal advice you need to realistically approach the possibility.
If you have questions about divorce, child custody, and financial support, contact our experienced Van Nuys family law attorney at the Harris Family Law Group today by calling (310) 745-8644 to get the help you need to move forward with confidence.
Yes, in fact it is recommended to wait until your divorce is finalized as it will be less expensive. You will need your divorce decree to take to the Social Security Administration to get a new social security card and start the name change process.
Harris Family Law Group has experience in the following practice areas :
A grandparent is not guaranteed visitation in the event of their child divorcing the other parent. A grandparent can fight for visitation but it will be dependent on the relationship the child had with the grandparent prior to the divorce and their bond.
It is possible to get an annulment in the state of California, but is not an easy feat. Annulments are not typically granted and must meet specific qualifications, such as one party was under the age of 16 at the time of the marriage or one party was not sound of mind at the time of the marriage.
Yes, if you were able to reach an agreement during the mediation process you can then submit this agreement to the courts.
Child support in California is determined by a number of factors. Both parents income, the child’s needs, and the time the child spends with each parent are taken into account. There is a formula that is commonly used CS=K [HN-(H%) (TN)].
The mother is not guaranteed more custody. California does not have a bias toward one gender than another for child custody. Custody is determined by what is in the best interest of the child, and that could include the father getting more custody.
Divorces don’t have to be expensive, but it is dependent on you and your spouse’s ability to agree. If your divorce is uncontested it will be a much cheaper option for both of you. The more you argue or disagree the more hours you will need your attorney, which means more money being spent.
California is a community property state. Being a community property state means that the property and assets acquired during the marriage must be split equally. The only expectation to this is if it is clearly stated otherwise is a valid prenuptial agreement.
You can always meet with an attorney to ensure your prenuptial agreement will hold up. Typically if both parties sign the agreement that was drafted by an attorney, and there are witnesses to your signing the prenuptial agreement will hold up. Working with a Van Nuys attorney will ensure that is a legally binding agreement, and help ensure that everything you put into the agreement is valid and will hold up.
These directions are from Google Maps starting from:
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Total Est. Time: 30 mins
Total Est. Distance: 18.4 mi
Call Us:
(310) 745-8644
We are located at:
6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500
Los Angeles CA 90045
