Family Law Attorney Alameda County
A legal problem that touches on your family can take a serious toll. The emotion that often comes up in these difficult times can leave you figuratively, and in the worst care scenarios literally, battered and bruised.
At the Law Offices of John A. Guthrie, our Contra Costa County and Alameda County family law attorneys have experience in and outside of the courtroom helps us achieve long-term solutions with minimal conflict. When the stakes are high in family law disputes, we focus on offering a compassionate approach tempered with judgment to effectively address our clients’ pressing concerns over a divorce, child custody arrangement and other areas of family law. With offices in Pleasanton and Danville, we serve clients throughout the Bay Area.
Pursuing Long-Term Solutions In Alameda County Family Law
When you have questions about family law, we have answers. The Pleasanton family law attorneys at our law firm offer a hands-on approach to understand your specific concerns in a variety of legal areas, including:
- Separation: Legal separation may be preferable to divorce for some couples.
- Mediation: If you prefer a collaborative approach to resolving your family law dispute — on which will keep you out of the courtroom — we are also experienced mediators.
- Paternity: If you are a father seeking to enforce your rights to custody or visitation, or a mother who wishes to receive child support, we can represent you in paternity actions.
- Domestic Violence: If you have been accused of domestic abuse, let us know what happened. Our background in domestic violence accusations has prepared us to effectively secure your legal rights. Note that domestic violence allegations may also arise during divorce. We represent people in domestic violence restraining order hearings throughout the Bay area.
- Guardianships: Guardianship matters fall into a different process than the normal child-custody dispute. We help prospective guardians navigate the many procedural hurdles involved in these proceedings. We also represent parties in contested guardianship cases.
The Pleasanton family law attorneys at our firm handle a full range of legal issues, related to prenuptial agreements and adoptions.
Domestic Partnerships
In Alameda County, domestic partnerships provide legal recognition for couples who choose not to marry but want similar legal rights and protections. California law allows couples to register as domestic partners through the California Secretary of State, granting rights related to health care decisions, inheritance and financial matters.
Registered domestic partners in Alameda County may be eligible for:
● Employment benefits
● Hospital visitation rights
● Certain tax benefits under state law
However, they may not receive all federal protections afforded to married couples.
Dissolving a domestic partnership follows a legal process like divorce, involving property division, financial settlements, and, if applicable, child custody considerations. We are familiar with California laws and can help you navigate these legal complexities.
Cohabitation Agreements
A cohabitation agreement is a valuable legal tool for unmarried couples living together. These agreements can help reduce the risk of legal disputes by clarifying:
● Financial responsibilities
● Property ownership
● Shared expenses
Given California’s community property laws apply only to married couples, a cohabitation agreement helps ensure assets and liabilities are distributed according to the couple’s wishes rather than default legal standards.
The agreement can cover financial contributions to mortgage payments, rental agreements and joint purchases. It also plays a key role in estate planning, helping partners avoid unintended asset distribution under California probate laws. Couples in Alameda County are encouraged to work with a lawyer to create a tailored agreement that protects their financial and legal interests.
Property And Asset Agreements For Unmarried Couples
Having a property and asset agreement is essential for unmarried couples who share property or financial assets. These agreements establish clear ownership rights and help prevent conflicts if the relationship ends.
Since California does not recognize common-law marriage, an unmarried partner has no automatic rights to a shared home or assets without a legal agreement. A property and asset agreement can outline ownership of real estate, savings, debts and retirement accounts for fair distribution.
Without this legal protection, one partner may face financial loss or legal battles. Our experienced attorneys can help Alameda County couples create enforceable agreements tailored to their circumstances.
Find Out How We Can Help Today
Our firm has offices in Pleasanton and Danville to assist clients across Alameda County, Contra Costa County and throughout the Bay Area. We want to listen to you and help address your pressing legal concerns. Email or call 925-271-4342 today to schedule a initial consultation.