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Family Law Attorneys in West Hollywood, California

Do You Need A West Hollywood Family Law Lawyer?

At the Harris Family Law Group, our committed family law attorney in West Hollywood focuses on providing unique solutions for each of clients who are faced with the difficult circumstances of a divorce, child custody, and financial support matters.

Our Los Angeles County family law lawyer, Jeffery L. Harris, provides customized legal strategies for each of our clients because we understand that their family dynamics and overall needs are unique. No two families are the same, and no two married couples have identical needs. That is why we listen to our client’s complete story, so we can understand what is important to them and how it affects their new life. Then we pursue the best outcome available for their end-to-end family law needs, so they can move forward with confidence.

West Hollywood Family Law Attorney Practice Areas

At Harris Family Law Group, our experienced West Hollywood family law lawyer represents clients from all walks of life throughout California, because everyone deserves to be happy and live the best life ahead of them.

We understand that family law matters disrupt our clients’ personal and professional lives, and when they have children, they have more than themselves to think about every waking moment of the day. We want to help alleviate the stress that comes along with these highly personal legal issues, so our clients can focus on their futures.

Our family law attorney in West Hollywood, California focuses on the following practice areas, so we can be true advocates for our clients:

In addition to building the best case available for each unique client we represent our West Hollywood family law lawyer bills our clients through flat-rate fees — never hourly. This allows our clients to pursue the family law solutions they need to move forward with positivity, without the long-term financial impact other attorney fees can cause.

If you have a family law matter that requires attention, contact our experienced West Hollywood family law lawyer at the Harris Family Law Group today to schedule a completely free case assessment, so you can start planning for your future.

Can We Handle an Uncontested Divorce on Our Own in West Hollywood, California?

Our West Hollywood divorce attorney has over two decades of experience walking our clients through their complete divorce process, so they can make informed decisions about their futures.

Even if you and your spouse have amicably decided to end your marriage and have worked out the details of your property division, child custody, and financial arrangements, you should have an experienced divorce attorney in West Hollywood review the details of your agreement before you sign it.

This will ensure your rights and legal options are protected, and that your best interests are at the forefront of the agreement.

Once we review it, we can provide the insight you need to make any changes or petition the court for a divorce on your behalf, so your paperwork is seamlessly submitted, which will allow the process to move forward without delay.

Can I Request Spousal Support During a Divorce if I Quit My Job to Stay Home with Our Kids?

Our West Hollywood spousal support lawyer understands that our clients often make sacrifices for the greater good of their families. That can mean leaving a high-paying job to stay at home with the children and take care of the home while the other spouse pursues their career.

While this decision is one many couples make, the result may mean one spouse falls behind in his or her profession, possibly letting licenses or certification expire in the meantime. This usually is not an issue until the spouse wants to return to the workforce, which may not be until the marriage dissolves.

When these marriages end in divorce, the parent who fell behind for their sacrifices in the home is often eligible for spousal support until he or she can pursue the training, education, or other advancements that allow them to re-enter the workforce.

If you have made sacrifices for your family — including helping advance the career of your spouse through financial support while they pursued their education or business-building dream — you may be eligible for spousal support. Our West Hollywood divorce lawyer will review the details of your unique case to ensure you are pursuing the outcome you deserve.

Can Our Kids Split Their Time Between Both Spouses’ Homes After Our West Hollywood Divorce?

Our child custody attorneys in West Hollywood are often asked by our clients if their children can choose where to live after their divorce. The answer is, it depends.

If your children are old enough and have the necessary intelligence to have an informed say in where they live or how they split their time, the judge may consider their requests.

If you and your spouse would simply like to split time with the children, these amicable decisions can be made during family law mediation sessions that will allow you two to privately decide on how your children split their time, and who pays child support or another mutual financial agreement.

Family law mediation in West Hollywood will you to have complete privacy over your decisions, without the judge’s intervention. Once the decisions are made, we will gather the necessary paperwork and submit it to the courts for final approval, which will allow everyone to move forward with confidence.

When is it Too Late to Pursue a Prenuptial Agreement in West Hollywood, California?

Our West Hollywood prenuptial agreement lawyers often begin preparing these important and increasingly popular documents after couples become engaged and have agreed this is the path for them.

Prenuptial agreements no longer carry the stigma they have in the past, as many couples recognize the need for full financial disclosure before they say I do, so there are no surprises going forward. This helps one spouse’s debts – like student loans or other cumbersome financial obligations – their own. The same is true for assets, which may include a business one person owns when they enter the marriage.

West Hollywood prenuptial agreements are more than versatile but legally binding, which means they provide the security the soon-to-be spouses need to marry with confidence.

Ideally, the prenuptial agreement — by definition — will be completed before the couple marries. However, they should never — and may be nullified — be signed under duress, which is a claim some could make when they are asked to sign a marital contract the night before their wedding.

Prenuptial agreements should be exactly that — agreements — not a document that is forced on one spouse. If you are ready to safeguard your future or simply want financial clarity from your soon-to-be-spouse, contact our West Hollywood prenuptial agreement attorneys today for a free consultation.

If you are already married and believe you should have opted for a prenuptial agreement there is the option of a postnuptial agreement that serves the same purpose but requires a nuanced approach to ensuring it is legally binding, since you have already said I do.

Our family law attorney in West Hollywood will walk you through the process, so each spouse’s financial details are outlined for their review, and they can start their marriage with full financial disclosure, protecting their interests going forward.

Compassionate Domestic Violence & Restraining Order Attorneys in West Hollywood, California

At Harris Family Law Group, our domestic violence attorneys in West Hollywood believe everyone has a right to be safe in their own home. If you are in an abusive relationship and are trying to exit it — whether you are married or not — you have legal options that can help you move forward safely with the law behind you.

If you are married, and domestic violence is keeping you from filing for divorce because you are afraid of how your spouse may react when you tell him or her, contact our experienced family law attorney in West Hollywood today to schedule a free consultation and discover the resources you may need to safely exit your relationship and pursue a divorce on your own terms.

We can help you build a complete divorce plan and file the restraining order you need to protect yourself and your children going forward.

Contact Our Family Law Attorney in West Hollywood, California at Harris Family Law Group Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

At the Harris Family Law Group, our experienced family law attorney in West Hollywood believes everyone has the right to be happy and plan for their future, which is why we offer free consultations by calling (310) 745-8644 and flat rate fees that make pursuing a divorce an affordable option because you will know how much our fees are before we get started. That means no unpredictable hourly fees that can lead to overwhelming legal bills without notice.

Our divorce attorneys in West Hollywood focus on our clients’ happiness and build strategic family law cases that support their goals throughout the legal process. How can we help you?

Frequently Asked Questions for Family Law in West Hollywood, California

When is the most common time for divorces?

In California the month of January tends to see the most amount of divorce filings. This could be for a number of reasons including staying together for the holidays for the children, wanting to start the new year off with a fresh start, tax reasons, and trying to avoid conflict.

At what age will my children be the most affected by a divorce?

It has been found that once a child goes through puberty they tend to understand why the divorce is happening more and are better able to cope with it. That being said divorce does have an emotional effect on children of all ages. It is better to divorce if you are unhappy and not stay for the children as you don’t want your children growing up in a hostile environment.

Should I file for a legal separation before I file for a divorce?

In California there is no legal need to first be separated before you file for divorce. It can be beneficial to have a legal separation before a divorce, on reason being a legal separation can be reversed, and could be a good trial period for you to decide if you want to go through with a divorce, but it not legally necessary.

What are hidden assets?

Hidden assets are when someone in the divorce withholds assets. This is illegal in the state of California and can cause the one who hid the assets to be charged with perjury, jail time, and potentially fraud. It is very important to always disclose your assets in a divorce to avoid any potential issues.

After a divorce do I have to change my name back to my maiden name?

No, you are not legally required to change your name back and it is also not changed automatically. Some people decide to keep their married name to have the same last name as their children or to avoid paperwork.

Does paternity need to be established before you can ask for child support?

In order for child support to be awarded to an unmarried person, paternity will need to be established. Without paternity there are no parental rights that the father is obligated to abide by. This also means if the other parent makes more money and the child spends more time with the father but paternity hasn’t been established, then the father can’t ask for child support either.

Is self-defense considered domestic abuse?

In California you won’t be punished for acting in self-defense. If you can prove that you were in fact acting in self-defense and that is the reason the other person was harmed that would not be considered domestic abuse. Though if you were acting in self-defense odds are you were being domestically abused and should seek legal help.

Why do divorces where the couple has children tend to be more expensive?

When children are involved, the divorce is more complicated and therefore takes longer. The longer a divorce takes the more it costs. Even if you have a prenuptial agreement that helps speed up the spousal support and property division aspect, anything regarding the children can’t be put in a marital contract. You will still have to work out child support and child custody in the event of a divorce.

What is paternity fraud?

Paternity fraud is when the father signs the birth certificate because they believed they were the father of the child, or the mother led them to believe they were the father, but it turns out they are not the biological father. In these instances you may be able to get past child support payments back and removing your parental rights. These instances are not common and it must be proven that mother willingly lied about you being the father.

Does having a restraining order against you cause you to lose custody?

If you have been served with a restraining order it can change your child custody arrangement. Typically speaking if you were accused of domestic abuse and a restraining order was granted the safety of the child is brought up. A judge will assess the allegations and determine the arrangement from there.

Directions to Los Angeles Family Law Attorney from West Hollywood, CA

These directions are from Google Maps starting from:
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Total Est. Time: 23 mins
Total Est. Distance: 12.5 mi

  1. Head southeast on Londonderry Pl toward Sunset Blvd
  2. Turn left onto Sunset Blvd
  3. Turn right onto N La Cienega Blvd
  4. Turn right onto the I-10 W ramp to Santa Monica
  5. Turn right onto I-10 W
  6. Take the exit onto I-405 S toward Lax Airport/Long Beach
  7. Take the H Hughes Pkwy exit toward Sepulveda Blvd
  8. Turn right onto Howard Hughes Pkwy
  9. Take the 1st right onto Park Terrace Dr
  10. Turn left onto Center Dr
  11. Turn right onto Center Dr W
  12. Destination will be on the left

 

Call Us:
(310) 745-8644

We are located at:

6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500
Los Angeles CA 90045

Our Law Firm Also Serve on Following Los Angeles and Orange County’s Cities: