Family Law in Southern California
At Jackman Law, we understand that family law matters are deeply personal and often overwhelming. Whether you’re facing divorce, custody disputes, or financial support issues, our goal is to guide you with compassion, clarity, and unwavering advocacy. Serving clients across Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County, we provide tailored solutions that protect your rights and prioritize your family’s well-being.
What Is Family Law?
Family law governs legal issues involving family relationships—such as divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and property division. California statutes provide the framework courts use to reach fair, child-centered, and financially sound outcomes.
The California Divorce Process
- File & Serve: A petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the Superior Court and served on the other party.
- Temporary Orders: The court may issue temporary orders for child custody, child support, and spousal support to stabilize finances and parenting during the case (Fam. Code §3600; child support §§4050–4076).
- Financial Disclosures: Each party exchanges complete and accurate financial disclosures.
- Negotiation/Mediation: Most cases resolve by agreement; we pursue efficient, child-focused settlements.
- Trial (if needed): When issues remain contested, the court decides based on California Family Code factors.
- Final Judgment: A judgment addresses custody, support, property division, and any name restoration.
Key Issues the Court Decides
Spousal Support: Under Family Code §4320, courts consider earning capacity, marital standard of living, contributions to a spouse’s career, age and health, parenting responsibilities, documented domestic violence (§4325), tax and hardship factors, and the goal of reasonable self‑support. For long‑term marriages, courts often retain jurisdiction under §4336.
Child Support: California uses a statewide guideline (Fam. Code §§4050–4076). The guideline reflects each parent’s income (§4058), time‑share, and the principle that children should share in both parents’ standard of living (§4053).
Child Custody: Custody orders are based on the child’s best interests (Fam. Code §§3011, 3020). Courts may award legal and/or physical custody (definitions in §§3006–3007, 3002), encourage frequent and continuing contact where safe (§3020), and must consider any credible domestic violence evidence (§3011, §3044).
Community Property & Separate Property
California is a community property state. In general, assets and debts acquired during marriage are community and are divided equally at divorce; separate property generally includes assets owned before marriage and gifts/inheritances. (See Fam. Code §§760–771, 2550.) Complex estates may involve business interests, retirement plans, real estate, and reimbursements (§§2625, 2640).
Our Approach
We combine legal precision with empathy. We prioritize safety, financial stability, and workable parenting plans, pursue settlement when possible, and litigate decisively when needed. We keep you informed at every step.
Service Areas
Los Angeles County • Ventura County • Orange County • San Bernardino County
Clients First. Always. Our Services
Offering Personalized Strategies for Every Client
Domestic Violence
Safety comes first. California law provides immediate and long‑term protections through Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs). When the court finds a party has perpetrated domestic violence within the preceding five years, there is a rebuttable presumption that awarding legal or physical custody to that party is detrimental to the child (Fam. Code §3044). Courts must also prioritize the child’s health, safety, and welfare (§3020) and consider documented abuse (§3011).
Relief available can include no‑contact orders, residence exclusion, move‑out orders, custody and visitation terms consistent with §3011 and §3044, firearms restrictions, and temporary financial support (§3600; child support §§4050–4076). We prepare evidence, ensure safe exchange/transfer terms (§6323(c)), and craft orders that are specific, enforceable, and protective.
Child Custody
Custody turns on the child’s best interests (Fam. Code §§3011, 3020, 3040). The court can award legal custody (decision‑making for health, education, and welfare—§3006) and physical custody (where the child resides—§3007), either jointly or solely. Parenting plans should protect the child’s safety, preserve healthy bonds with each parent, and fit the family’s routines.
Key factors include the child’s health and safety, history of abuse (§3011), the nature and amount of contact with each parent (§3020), substance abuse with corroboration (§3011), and any applicable domestic violence presumptions (§3044). Temporary orders stabilize schedules during the case; final orders may be modified upon proper legal standards.
Child Support
California’s guideline child support system (Fam. Code §§4050–4076) ensures children receive fair, timely, and sufficient support reflecting each parent’s income and responsibility (§4053). Income is broadly defined (§4058) and guideline amounts are presumed correct, with limited exceptions (§4057). Courts also allocate add‑on expenses as appropriate (§4062).
We prepare accurate income analyses, time‑share calculations, and documentation to set, modify, or enforce support orders. We also address multi‑case obligations and appropriate deviations where the statute permits.
Spousal Support
Spousal support has two phases. Temporary support (pendente lite) may be ordered under Family Code §3600 to help maintain stability during the case. Permanent (post‑judgment) support is decided under Family Code §4320, which requires the court to consider factors including earning capacity versus the marital standard of living, contributions to the other spouse’s career, age and health, documented domestic violence (§4325), tax impacts, balance of hardships, and the goal that the supported party become self‑supporting within a reasonable time. For marriages of long duration, courts often retain jurisdiction under §4336.
Property Division
California’s community property system generally divides community assets and debts equally (Fam. Code §2550). We identify, value, and divide complex estates, address separate property tracing and reimbursements (e.g., §2640), and allocate debts and credits fairly. Retirement plans, real estate, business interests, and deferred compensation require careful analysis and, when needed, expert valuation.
Our Values Your Case Matters to us
See What Sets Our Dedicated Team Apart
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Client-Focused Care
We know how important your case is to you, so we tailor our strategies to focus on your specific needs and goals.
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Offering Related Services
Our services run the gamut of what you may encounter throughout your case, providing consistency and continued care.
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With You at Every Step
Our dedicated team of compassionate legal advocates will walk through the legal process with you from start to finish.
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Communicative & Timely
With our commitment to transparency and communication, you'll never be left wondering where your case stands.