Seal Beach Divorce Attorney

Make Informed Decisions with Knowledgeable & Seasoned Seal Beach Divorce Attorneys

Divorce may feel like the end of the world, but sometimes, couples hit the end of the road in their marriage. Divorce may be the end of a marriage, but it is also a new start for you and your loved ones. However, the complex laws and procedures are difficult to navigate, especially without a lawyer. The Seal Beach divorce attorneys at Jos Family Law can simplify the process and guide you through every step of the way. We provide quality legal representation aligned with your best interests, whether inside or outside the courtroom.

Our family law attorneys in Seal Beach, CA, are ready to provide tailored representation to dissolve your marriage per your needs and goals.

Call (714) 733-7066 to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable attorneys today.

Why Choose Jos Family Law?

Experienced Representation

We have 55 years of combined experience in contested & uncontested divorces.

Personalized Attention

We provide personalized attention to each case and tailor strategies to obtain the best possible outcome for our client's needs.

Full-service Expertise

From child custody & support to alimony and property division, we specialize in all areas of family law.

Proven Success

Get quality representation from attorneys with a successful record of obtaining favorable outcomes for clients.

Divorce Services in Seal Beach, CA

A. Contested Divorce

If there are unresolved issues in your California divorce, you and your spouse must take the matter to a family court. In these cases, the judge will determine a resolution regarding:

  1. Child Custody
  2. Child support
  3. Spousal Support
  4. Asset Division

Even disagreeing on a single issue can make a divorce contested. The judge will hear both parties, examine facts/evidence/testimonies, and make decisions in accordance with California divorce laws.

In contested divorces, our Seal Beach divorce attorneys are ready to help you achieve a resolution with aggressive courtroom representation. We will go the extra mile to represent your interests and protect your rights.

B. Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce isn't decided by the judge. If both spouses file the marital settlement agreement and submit the necessary documents, the judge will review their case and make a judgment. An uncontested divorce can be resolved by:

  1. Negotiation: Both parties, along with their attorneys, negotiate a settlement by agreeing key issues.
  2. Mediation: A neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussion and helps both spouses reach a mutually beneficial settlement agreement.

Uncontested divorces are usually straightforward, but it is still advisable to have qualified legal representation to ensure you are not taken advantage of. Our Seal Beach divorce attorneys have worked with countless families to resolve their divorce amicably and smoothly.

C. Child Custody & Visitation Rights

One of the most important aspects of your divorce can be child custody. In California, child custody can be:

  1. Physical Custody: Physical custody is the actual time that a parent has their child under care.
  2. Legal Custody: Legal custody is the parental right to make decisions regarding the child's safety, well-being, education, healthcare, upbringing, religion, etc.

Both types of custody can be either solely given to one parent or jointly shared by both. In joint legal custody, both parents take part in decision-making, whereas in sole legal custody, only one parent can exercise his/her rights.

Similarly, in joint physical custody, both parents spend equal time with the child. In sole physical custody, the child resides primarily with one parent with the other parent getting visitation rights.

All custody decisions in California are made in accordance with the child's best interests.

Our child custody attorneys represent mothers, fathers, grandparents, and non-parents in child custody and visitation matters. We do our best to achieve our clients' goals and sustain or improve their relationship with the other parent, to minimize the effect of divorce on their children.

D. Child Support

Both parents have the legal duty to financially support their minor children. The court may order one or both parents to make regular payments to cover the child's living and healthcare expenses. California has a statewide guideline for calculating child support based on a standard formula. This formula takes into account the post-tax income of each parent and the percentage of time each parent shares with the child. The court takes many factors into consideration, including:

  • The income of each parent
  • Tax filing status of each parent
  • Time spent by each parent with the child
  • Other factors

At Jos Family Law, we understand your parental responsibility to support your children emotionally and financially. Our law firm ensures that your children are supported and get the resources they need to succeed in life. Throughout the process, our Seal Beach divorce attorneys will stand by your side and help you navigate all issues.

E. Spousal Support

In California, spousal support is paid to the lower-earning spouse to help them maintain the status quo after divorce. Alimony can be either temporary or permanent. The judge may order temporary spousal support to be paid while the divorce judgment is still pending. Permanent spousal support is paid once the divorce is finalized. The judge examines several factors to decide whether alimony is warranted in a case, including:

  1. Length of the marriage
  2. Earning capacity of each party
  3. The extent to which the supported party contributed to the marriage
  4. Supporting the party's ability to pay
  5. Marital standard of living
  6. And more

At Jos Family Law, we have represented both sides of alimony requests. Our spousal support attorneys in Seal Beach can establish, modify, or terminate alimony and strive to achieve an outcome that is fair and just.

F. Property Division

California follows community property laws, which state that all properties acquired after marriage are owned by both spouses. Community property is subject to equal division after divorce. Examples of co-owned marital assets are:

  1. Family residence
  2. Business ventures
  3. Stock options
  4. Retirement plans
  5. Collectibles & antiques
  6. Insurance policies & proceeds

Property brought into the marriage by one party, received after the date of separation, or acquired by gifts or inheritance is deemed separate property. Separate property is solely owned by one spouse and not divided post-divorce.

Don't let divorce take away your life's work. Our asset division attorneys specialize in representing high net-worth clients and protecting their assets. We'll ensure all assets are correctly identified and valued, and you get what you rightly deserve.

Get In Touch

Our attorneys are here to help you during every stage of your case. Schedule a confidential consultation and know your options with the seasoned counsel of top family law attorneys.

Contact Information

Please call, email, or contact our office online to arrange an appointment for your case today.


The California Divorce Process in 5 Steps

The California divorce process can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if children or significant assets are involved. Here is an overview of the divorce process:

Step 1. Filing & Response

The spouse wanting divorce must file a petition at their local court to start the process. Once filed, they must serve a copy of the petition to the other spouse, who has 30 days to respond.

Step 2. Temporary Hearing

The court has the power to hold temporary hearings on matters related to child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, alimony, and restrictions on the sale of marital assets.

Step 3. Settlement

If the spouses agree on divorce-related terms, they can submit their agreement to the court outlining how key aspects will be decided.

Step 4. Trial

Any unresolved issue will be referred to the court. Both parties will present witnesses and evidence, and the judge will decide how to proceed.

Step 5. Judgment

The judge will formalize the settlement or trial and render a judgment to finalize the divorce.

Orange County Domestic Violence Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

The true answer is that it depends. If you and your spouse can cooperate towards a settlement agreement, you may only have to wait until the six-month mandatory waiting period. However, if you are at loggerheads over multiple issues, your divorce can potentially take years.

No. California law does not mandate separation for the divorce to be initiated. It is possible to pursue divorce even if you and your spouse are living together.

Court orders are not optional. If your ex-spouse has violated any term of the divorce order, you may petition the court to help enforce it. Repeated violations may result in contempt of court, which carries penalties ranging from fines to jail time.

The court fee for filing the divorce petition is $435. If you cannot afford the court fee, you may request a waiver.

A default divorce is when one spouse refuses to participate in the proceedings. California is a no-fault state, which means the divorce process will continue even in the absence of one party.

Contact Jos Family Law Today

If you are expecting or going through a divorce, please contact Jos Family Law immediately. We have helped several clients resolve their family law issues and are ready to do the same for you too. Schedule a consultation online or by calling (714) 733-7066 for seasoned guidance and support from our Seal Beach divorce attorneys.

Get In Touch

Our attorneys are here to help you during every stage of your case. Schedule a confidential consultation and know your options with the seasoned counsel of top family law attorneys.

Contact Information

Please call, email, or contact our office online to arrange an appointment for your case today.

cleint cleint

Sonia Fernández

Jos exhibits exceptional compassion and understanding, promptly addressing all inquiries to facilitate clarity and calm throughout the process with comprehensive and sincere explanations. He offers potential solutions to minimize unnecessary court costs. His team operates efficiently and effectively to complete the task. I highly recommend this law firm as it operates with integrity.

....Read More
cleint cleint

Carlos Serrano

Thank you very much to Mr. Jos and to all his group of professionals who helped me get out of my child support case with a very good result. Each case is different and my case was very complicated. I live in the state of Virginia and the child support office of the state of California was starting a case against me, the amount they wanted me to pay was ridiculously high I didn't know what to do because I don't live in California and I had never met the child either. I searched online for a lawyer in California and thank God I found Mr. Jos's law office. I don't know them personally but I put my trust in them and they didn't disappoint me. We had very good communication despite the distance and they were always available to talk to me and clarify my doubts. Mr. James was the one who took my case to the end and after a long and very difficult process everything went very well in my favor much more than expected. I am very grateful to God for putting the entire team of professionals from Mr. Jos' office on my way. Words are not enough for me to describe everything they did for me and how grateful I am. I definitely recommend Mr. Jos's law firm. Thank you Mr. James for not giving up in my case and having achieved a magnificent result in my favor.

....Read More
cleint cleint

Alexandra Duvall

Jos Family Law has been absolutely fantastic in helping me through my child custody case. Mr Jos communicated with me throughout the entire process. He was very empathetic and understanding with my case and my concerns. The team was always supportive and never once did I feel like they didn’t take my case seriously. I’m so grateful I chose this law firm to represent me and I would 100% recommend this team to anyone seeking assistance. In the end I received the outcome I was looking for which was Sole Physical Custody. Thank you so much Jos Family for representing me.

....Read More
cleint cleint

Marco Galatro

This was the second attorney that represented me for my divorce. Binoye is a very knowledgeable, fair, and professional attorney. They are reliable and this made my experience way less painful. They are definitely not greedy for money, they are not one of the many attorneys out there who overbill for their services. I truly recommend them.

....Read More
cleint cleint

Roya

Mr. Jos is by far the best attorney l've ever had to work with. He is diligent, extremely prepared and informed and patient with his clients and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure you get the results you are hoping for. I recommend him to anyone who needs a Family attorney.

....Read More
cleint cleint

Ricardo Lajaruna

My most sincere gratitude to the attorney Mr. James Sowers, who is very knowledgeable about the law, works with and for his clients. He is very transparent, honest and I am very grateful for his great support. His legal representation is highly recommended!!!

....Read More
cleint cleint

Nader Zayid

JOS family Law took on my case which entailed custody and move away components and I honestly could not say enough great things about JOS Family Law! Mr. Jos is not only extremely knowledgeable and professional, but it is also extremely obvious how much he cares for his clients on a personal level as well. There is an expression that two heads are better than one, however, Mr. Jos' philosophy takes it further as eight heads are better than two. It was so impressive and reassuring how collaborative everyone at the office works together to meet on regular cadences and discuss their client's cases to brainstorm strategies in order to seek the best possible outcome for their clients. Mr. Jos has an amazing team of extremely talented and knowledgeable attorneys that have worked together on my case. James was the lead attorney on my case and also represented me in my hearing. James was able to get us everything we were asking for as he successfully proved that full custody remaining with me is in the best interest of the children and that the move away is in the best interest of the children as well. We were able to come up with a plan to ensure that the children's mother can visit regularly and still maintain a healthy relationship. James is a rock star attorney! I would without hesitation refer anyone seeking help in a family law matter to call Jos Family Law!

....Read More

Get your consultation today

(714) 733-7066