Family Law

Divorce

Law Offices of Sofian Solomon Dawood represents individuals in divorce and separation matters.

A Divorce is also known as dissolution of marriage. Dissolution proceedings involve the resolution of numerous issues that relate to the end of a marriage. 

For example, marital property must be divided, and spousal support may be considered and arranged.  If the divorcing couple has children together, dissolution proceedings will necessarily include determinations with respect to child custody, child support, and visitation.  If the divorcing couple is able to reach an agreement on any of the issues of their divorce, those issues will not need to be litigated in court.

A divorce attorney from Law Offices of Sofian Solomon Dawood has considerable experience handling all aspects of divorce cases. 

Law Offices of Sofian Solomon Dawood represent clients in all of the following types of cases:

Generally, community property is divided equally between spouses at divorce, while separate property belongs to one spouse and is not divided.  In general, separate property is any property acquired by one spouse prior to the marriage, or any property acquired by one spouse during the marriage if it was by acquired by gift, bequest, or inheritance.  Community property is all other property acquired by either spouse during the marriage.  Classifying property as either community or separate property can be complex and often requires reviewing old financial documents and applying intricate legal analysis.

Child Custody, Support, and Visitation

In California, the court will make child custody and visitation determinations by looking at what it believes would be in the best interest of the child.  Our office can explain the factors the court considers in determining the "best interest of the child" standard.  A parent who does not have physical custody of the child is referred to as a "non-custodial parent."  Generally, a non-custodial parent will be awarded visitation and will be required to pay some amount of child support.  A child custody lawyer can help explain how these decisions are made, advocate for a parent's best interests in negotiations and court, and help achieve a satisfactory custody and support arrangement.

Spousal Support

Also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, spousal support is sometimes ordered for a period of time after divorce.  Generally, the court is more likely to order spousal support when the marriage has lasted for ten or more years and one spouse has not worked in recent years.  However, the court has a policy of encouraging both spouses to become self-sufficient within a reasonable time after divorce.  A family law attorney experienced in spousal support matters can explain all the factors involved in the court's decision to award or deny spousal support.  Law Offices of Sofian Solomon Dawood offer divorce help by advocating a spouse's best interests and help achieve a satisfactory arrangement with respect to financial support.

Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

In recent years, mediation and other forms of ADR, such as informal negotiations, have become very popular as an alternative to contentious divorce litigation.  A divorce mediation and ADR are cost-effective and allow the divorcing parties to resolve the issues of their divorce quickly and collaboratively.  Mediations are held with a trained mediator and can be conducted with or without the presence of lawyers.  In California, many courts require divorcing spouses to at least attempt to reach agreement in mediation prior to going into court.

At Law Offices of Sofian Solomon Dawood we have extensive experience with filing divorce and representing clients in family law mediations, negotiations, and litigation.

When dealing with family law issues, mediation often benefits couples by offering a resolution alternative that is less costly and faster than litigation. It also frequently leaves couples with a better understanding of their mutual problems, resulting in a more favorable outcome for everyone concerned.

Types of mediators vary, based on professional training and experience. Generally, most mediators are a lawyers or mental health professionals.

Lawyers as mediators know the legal boundaries, what the courts commonly find acceptable, and are familiar with court procedure and settlements. If a legal issue needs to be addressed in mediation, a mediator with a legal background is most suited for the task.

When a divorce or other family law matter will result in significant tax consequences for both parties, there is no substitute for a mediator with accounting and tax evaluation skills.

Law Offices of Sofian Solomon Dawood welcome the opportunity to review your concerns and discuss mediation as a possible resolution alternative. Please call our office to arrange for a free initial telephonic / consultation.