No one likes the idea of dealing with legal matters involving family members. However, circumstances may arise that require the assistance of a qualified family law attorney. Sadly, due to family members’ close personal connections, dealing with legal matters can quickly become contentious.

Legal issues such as paternity, domestic violence, child custody, and divorce often top the list of problems that many families experience and cannot resolve without the help of a qualified Fresno family law attorney.

Since 1992, Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian has emerged as the firm California families turn to when family matters become legal matters. Our family law attorneys handle various issues for families in Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kingsburg, and Hanford counties.

Our dedicated team of legal professionals understands that clients want their family law matters resolved quickly so they can resume their lives. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to help you settle your legal concerns so you can have peace of mind and face the future confidently.

Contact our Fresno, CA, law firm immediately to schedule a free consultation if you need legal counsel or services for divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, or adoption matters.

What Type of Legal Matters Do Your Family Law Attorneys Handle for Clients?

Our award-winning lawyers have been representing clients in the Fresno area since 1992. Our family law firm handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and relocation cases.

When you come to us for help with a family law matter, we discuss your worries and concerns and determine a legal strategy to meet your needs. For example, if you are dealing with a difficult divorce, we can use mediation or collaborative divorce methods to avoid having your case go to court.

Our family law attorneys also assist clients who need help drafting prenuptial agreements to protect their financial interests during a divorce. Our attorneys understand that in today’s world, individuals want to ensure they have legal protections to safeguard their hard-earned assets.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of our legal practice is helping families with adoption issues. Nothing is more honorable than adopting a child and giving them a forever family. A well-qualified family law lawyer can help make the adoption process go smoothly so you can concentrate on what matters most.

No matter your family’s legal needs, if you are dealing with a family law dispute, you will need attorneys from one of the best Fresno divorce law firms by your side. Contact our Fresno, CA, law offices today to schedule an appointment to learn more about our legal services.

What are Important Facts to Know About Obtaining a Divorce in California?

If you are trying to obtain a divorce in California, there are several important facts that you should be aware of ahead of time. Understanding the legal complexities of California divorces can help you make informed decisions that can save you precious time and money.

Community property is equally divided in a divorce. Community property includes all assets acquired or earned during marriage except property acquired solely by one spouse as a gift or inheritance. Dividing property may sound simple, but determining who owns what can take time and effort. It takes an experienced family law attorney familiar with the legal intricacies of property division.

California courts favor joint custody arrangements where both parents have an equal say in making important decisions but will not hesitate to put a child’s best interests first. When one parent receives sole custody, the noncustodial parent is typically granted visitation, although the court may require supervised visits. However, in some extreme cases, judges may rule against the other parent being granted visitation based on a prior history of substance or child abuse or domestic violence.

In cases where child support is ordered, the parent’s earning capacity, the number of children, and additional pertinent factors are considered. Spousal support, also known as alimony, is determined by the duration of a marriage and the partners’ earning capacity, needs, and obligations. However, it should be noted that not every divorce case qualifies for one spouse to receive spousal support. To determine if you may be eligible for spousal support, you must speak with a knowledgeable attorney who can evaluate the facts of the case.

Finally, the family lawyers of Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian also offer the option of collaborative divorce through the Collaborative Law Practice Group. A collaborative divorce lets couples end their marriage with the dignity and respect that they and their children deserve.

Contact our Fresno family law attorneys today to learn more about the legal complexities of a California divorce and how we can help.

What Types of Spousal Support Options are Available in California?

California divorce law recognizes two types of spousal support, or alimony: temporary support and long-term support. If awarded, each type of spousal support has its own set of criteria based on the financial needs of the individuals involved.

Temporary Spousal Support

Just as the name suggests, temporary spousal support is only available for a limited period of time. In most cases, the court grants temporary spousal support to allow one spouse to have necessary financial assistance until a divorce can be finalized. Aside from evaluating the financial needs of one spouse, the court will also make its decision based on the other spouse’s ability to pay. Even though, in most cases, the temporary support will stop after the divorce is finalized, a court may decide to extend it if deemed necessary.

Long-Term Spousal Support

Long-term spousal support, or rehabilitative alimony, is ordered to allow a recipient spouse time to gain an education, training, or work experience that will allow them the ability to support themselves. A judge usually stipulates that alimony will continue after a divorce is finalized to give the recipient spouse time to achieve their goals. The long-term support order will most likely come with a pre-determined termination date for when the support should end. However, a judge has the legal flexibility to extend the terms of the long-term support should circumstances arise that justify it.

If you are unsure whether you may qualify for temporary or long-term alimony, contact our Fresno, CA, family law firm to schedule a free consultation so we can answer your questions.

How Can a Family Law Attorney Help Me With Child Custody Issues?

Parents going through a divorce or separation typically want what is in the best interest of their children. Some of the most contentious issues that family law attorneys deal with are related to child custody.

Due to the disputes that often arise when working out child custody issues, it is always wise to hire a Fresno family law attorney who can provide the legal representation you need to obtain a favorable outcome.

Some of the legal services that family law attorneys can assist with in handling child custody cases include:

• Act as a neutral third party: One of the most significant benefits of having a family law attorney is they will act as a neutral third party who does not have emotional ties to the case.
• Negotiations: A family law attorney can help you negotiate a custody agreement that works for both parties and is in the best interest of the child.
• Legal representation during mediation: If your child custody issue cannot be resolved through negotiations, the next step is participating in mediation. A family law lawyer can act as your legal representative during the mediation process to ensure your rights are protected.
• Build a strong case on your behalf: If mediation does not resolve your child custody issues, then an attorney can gather evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. Family court judges often take many factors and evidence into consideration when deciding custody issues.
• File legal paperwork: If it becomes necessary for your case to go to trial, your family law lawyer can prepare all legal paperwork to ensure it is accurate and filled out completely.
• Courtroom representation: Once your case goes to court, a lawyer can provide legal representation to ensure your rights and those of your child are protected.

No one looks forward to having to deal with child custody issues. However, suppose you and the other parent cannot reach a mutual conclusion regarding child custody arrangements. In that case, you must hire an aggressive attorney who will not back down and protect your child.

Contact our highly trained family law attorneys today so that we may discuss your case and what legal strategies will work best.

Why Do I Need to Have a Prenuptial Agreement Before Getting Married?

In today’s world, many individuals are older when they get married and have acquired significant assets they wish to protect before marriage. In other instances, a couple may each be getting married for a second time and do not wish to co-mingle their property and other financial resources.

Therefore, before getting married, it is always wise to draft a prenuptial agreement to protect your hard-earned assets. A prenuptial agreement, also called a prenup, is a contract between two people that details their finances and other assets and how they will be divided should the couple divorce.

Some of the specific issues addressed in prenuptial agreements should the couple divorce include:

• How community and separate property will be distributed
• How liabilities and debts will be divided
• Issues such as spousal support and inheritance

Per state law, prenuptial agreements remain valid throughout the marriage and are enforceable should the marriage end in death or divorce.

Anyone looking to protect their financial resources should consider having a prenuptial agreement so they can rest assured their interests are protected. However, there are specific conditions that could render a prenup invalid. Some of the most common reasons the court could reject a prenup include the agreement not being drawn up or signed correctly, one party not being granted access to the document within 7 calendar days of signing, or it being signed under duress or fraud.

If you need further clarification regarding the benefits of having a prenuptial agreement, contact Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian at our Fresno law offices to schedule a meeting with a family law attorney who can answer your questions.

What Makes Your Law Office the Right Choice to Assist Me With Family Law Services? 

If you suddenly face family law legal matters, it can be challenging to know your best options. Our Fresno, CA, family lawyers take pride in helping clients in the San Joaquin Valley and surrounding areas.

Our law group recognizes that family law matters can be emotionally challenging and negatively affect one’s personal life. When you come to us for help, you are treated with the care and compassion you deserve.

The attorneys of Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian have comprehensive experience in handling a variety of family law matters and work tirelessly to resolve them in a reasonable amount of time. Other law firms often make promises to clients they cannot keep. Our family law attorneys provide clients with honest evaluations of the cases and their available legal options.

A top lawyer from our law office will always remember your best interests when representing you in family law disputes or other matters. Our attorneys have a proven record of being able to assist clients with nonlitigation alternatives that can help keep their cases out of the court system and keep costs to a minimum.

Our team of attorneys also assists clients with domestic partnerships, adoptions, and other aspects of family law. If you seek or anticipate divorce, want to adopt a child or challenge an adoption, or if you need a support order modified, call the skilled lawyers at Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian today. We keep flexible hours to meet your needs and promptly return every call.

For your convenience, our staff speaks fluent Spanish and French, so do not let a language barrier keep you from getting the help you need. Call us today at 559-545-0383 or reach us online to schedule a consultation.