Certified Family Law Specialists In Roseville

A family law problem can affect many areas of your life, from your personal finances to your most precious family relationships. At Sherlock // Anderson, PC, both of our attorneys are certified family law specialists. We understand the tremendous stakes of family law issues and provide our clients with the knowledgeable, understanding guidance they need.

Comprehensive Representation For California Family Law

Our attorneys will work with you personally to guide you through any family law problem you face, including:

• Divorce: Whether you are engaged in an amicable dissolution or face contentious disputes, our lawyers can protect your rights throughout the divorce process in California, including complex high-asset divorce.
• Issues that affect children: When children are involved, we work tirelessly to protect our clients’ parental rights in custody proceedings. We can also represent you in child support issues, modifications and enforcement.
• Spousal support: If you are seeking spousal support or your ex-spouse is seeking it from you, we can help you understand your rights and protect your financial interests.
• Modifications: When circumstances change, we can help you seek a modification of existing orders. Our lawyers can also help you if you are trying to stop a modification that will adversely affect you.
• Adoptions: We take pride in helping families come together through the adoption process. We represent clients in stepparent as well as agency adoptions.
• Guardianships: If you are seeking a guardianship over a minor child or dependent adult, we can guide you through all aspects of the legal process.
• Domestic violence and restraining orders: We are passionate advocates for victims of domestic violence and assault, as well as those accused of abuse. If you or someone close to you needs help obtaining or fighting restraining order, we can guide you through the process.

We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each client. Not every family law issue is a full-blown legal ordeal. Sometimes, clients need our services only for limited and specific purposes, such as preparing a document, filing a motion or a single courtroom appearance. By taking advantage of our limited-scope representation services, you pay only for what you need and nothing more.

Determining Paternity In California

In California, if the parents of a child are married, the law presumes that the husband is the baby’s father. When parents are not married, a child’s legal parents can be established through a legal paternity process. There are two different options, depending on whether or not the parents agree.

• Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP): In a VDOP, both parents agree and acknowledge the baby’s father. They can sign a government form that acknowledges the baby’s father. This form is often available at the hospital, or can be signed later through a local agency. Once this form is filed, it has the same effect as a court order.
• Court paternity action: If there is a dispute, either parent or the Department of Child Support Services can file a “Petition to Establish Parental Relationship.” In these cases, the court may order genetic (DNA) testing to provide a definitive answer.

Establishing paternity is a critical step because a judge cannot make orders for child support, custody or visitation until legal parentage is confirmed. Our Sacramento paternity lawyers can help you assess your situation and customize a course of action based on your needs.

Alternatives For Divorcing Couples Who Do Not Want To Go To Court

We recognize that the courtroom can feel like an adversarial battlefield. For those seeking a “softer landing,” several out-of-court alternatives allow you to maintain control over your future:

• Mediation: In the mediation process, a neutral third party helps you and your spouse communicate to reach a voluntary agreement. This is often the most cost-effective and private path to getting a divorce. Mediation is also used to resolve other family law conflicts.
• Collaborative divorce: In a collaborative divorce, you and your spouse each hire attorneys specifically trained in collaborative law. Everyone signs an agreement to resolve all issues without litigation. If the process breaks down, the attorneys must withdraw, which highly incentivizes a peaceful resolution.
• Settlement negotiations: Often, we can reach an agreement through direct negotiation between attorneys. If we settle all issues, we can submit our agreement in a stipulation for the judge to sign, bypassing the need for a trial.

At Sherlock // Anderson, PC, we know that every case is different. Our experienced family law attorneys provide customized legal guidance to help you assess your legal needs and resolve your case in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Preparing For Your Family Law Case

Preparation is the key to reducing stress and protecting your rights. Whether you are headed to mediation or a hearing, you can take these proactive steps:

• Organize your finances: Gather the last two years of tax returns, your two most recent pay stubs, and current statements for all bank, retirement, and investment accounts.
• Document everything: Create a timeline of significant events. Keep a log of communication regarding your children or shared assets, as “he-said, she-said” arguments are rarely effective in legal proceedings.
• Define your goals: Think about what you truly need versus what you want. Knowing your priorities allows us to negotiate more effectively on your behalf.
• Prioritize self-care: Family law cases are emotionally taxing. Lean on your support system so you can make clear-headed decisions for your future.

Our team at Sherlock // Anderson, PC, is here to listen to your needs and guide you through these additional steps with kindness and clarity.

Certified Family Law Specialist By The California Board Of Legal Specialization

Family law matters are always different and challenging. When you hire an attorney to work with on your issue, you want someone who truly focuses on family law. Our attorneys are both Certified Family Law Specialists by The State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization.

To obtain this certification, attorneys must:

• Complete an additional written examination on the topic of their legal specialty
• Focus their legal work within this area during a 5-year period
• Obtain additional continuing legal education
• Demonstrate comprehensive experience with the specialty area
• Receive positive evaluations by attorneys and judges familiar with their work
• Be approved by The State Bar of California

This certification by our attorneys demonstrates their commitment to providing the highest level of representation and advocacy for our family law clients. When your family’s future is at stake, do you want to risk that with anyone but a certified specialist?

Contact Our Roseville Family Law Attorneys

We offer free initial consultations. To schedule your free appointment with an experienced and certified California family law attorney, send us a message. You can also reach out to us by calling our office at 916-757-6630.