Campbell Family Law Attorney
The practice of family law includes representing parties in divorce and legal separation and all the issues that go along with it, such as the division of community property, child custody and visitation, the payment of child support or spousal support, and post-divorce modifications of court orders down the road. But family law encompasses more than just divorce. It also concerns the drafting of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, paternity/parentage actions, civil harassment restraining orders, grandparents’ rights, and more.
Below are some of the main areas of focus in our family law practice at Hepner & Pagan, LLP. If you need help in any of these areas or other family law matters in Campbell or Santa Clara County, give us a call. We offer a variety of options to help you resolve your matter efficiently and cost-effectively and in your best interests. Call today for a free 20-minute consultation to discuss how our Campbell family law attorneys can help you meet your family law needs through mediation, legal coaching, or full representation.
Divorce and Legal Separation
Believe it or not, California currently has one of the lowest divorce rates in the nation. Not every marriage is meant to last forever, though, and every day married people decide to divorce for good reasons that are in their best interests and the best interests of their children. The family law attorneys at Hepner & Pagan, LLP can guide you through the divorce process, providing advice, assistance and support in the way that best meets your needs. We offer support through mediation, legal coaching, or full representation depending on your budget, goals, and the complexity of issues at stake. You can count on our experienced Campbell divorce lawyers to make sure you are fairly represented in the division of community property and other issues such as child support, spousal support, and child custody and visitation. Whether divorce or legal separation is in the cards for you, we’ll work to protect your rights while helping you reach your goals.
Post-Judgment Modifications
Court orders for custody, parenting time, and support are meant to be final when they are put in place, but the courts understand that circumstances can change. If there has been a substantial change in your needs or your children’s needs, a change in incomes, the need to relocate, a desire to remarry or other significant changes in circumstances, we can help you go to court to modify a court order for child custody, child support, or spousal support. Modifications can be worked out beforehand between the parties or litigated in court if contested. If you are seeking or opposing a post-judgment modification in the Santa Clara County courts, call Hepner & Pagan, LLP in Campbell for advice and representation.
Parentage Actions
A child’s legal father can assert rights to custody and visitation, and establishing paternity can be an important step for a mother to get court-ordered child support. Determining parentage has countless benefits to the child as well, including rights to health insurance coverage, government benefits and inheritance, having important medical history information, a stronger sense of identity, and more cohesive family bonds. When a child is born to unmarried parents, the parents need to take additional steps to establish paternity. Hepner & Pagan, LLP can give you the information and assistance you need to complete this process, or represent you in court when the mother, putative father, or some other party is seeking to prove, challenge or contest paternity.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Through pre and post-marital agreements, you and your spouse can come together in a conflict-free space to decide how you would want issues such as property division or support to work in case of a future divorce. These conversations can also help strength the marriage and remove conflict that often leads to divorce. If you have a blended family, disparate incomes and wealth, or just want your marriage to get off on a sound footing with shared expectations, Hepner & Pagan, LLP can help you negotiate, draft, or review a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that meets your needs.
Same-Sex Divorce
Same-sex marriage has been legal in California since 2013 and recognized as a Constitutional right nationwide since 2015. Along with the right to marry comes the desire or need to divorce at times. Although the law treats homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian married couples can face additional difficulties when it comes to determining alimony/spousal support, child custody, and the division of community property, such as the division of property acquired while a couple was together but before they were legally married. We can help you navigate complex questions, reach an agreement on how to handle issues, and represent you in court if needed.
Dissolution of Domestic Partnerships
Even before California recognized same-sex marriage, it created a law establishing a separate legal relationship that was as marriage-like as possible when it comes to the rights and responsibilities, obligations and duties, protections and benefits that married persons have. Domestic partnerships are still valid in California for people who entered into them. Ending one requires filing a notice of termination with the Secretary of State or getting a Petition of Dissolution in court. We can help you get that Petition and also work through any issues of property or support in or out of court.
Mediation, Legal Coaching, and Full Representation in Campbell Family Law Matters
For all your family law needs in Santa Clara County, call Hepner & Pagan, LLP at 408-429-8336 to schedule a consultation with our team of dedicated and professional Campbell family law attorneys.
