Family Law Attorney in Covina, California

According to statistics from the American Community Survey, 90,565 men and 104,935 women divorced in California in 2019. For many individuals in California, family issues — including divorce, asset division, spousal support, child custody, support, and parenting time — are highly sensitive and often involve intense emotions. In many situations, resolving such family legal matters and relationship differences requires detailed guidance and experienced representation.

If you need proper guidance in family legal matters, consulting with an experienced California family law attorney is crucial. At my firm, I’m dedicated to offering experienced legal guidance and strong advocacy to individuals and couples in family law-related matters. I am available to discuss your situation and help you understand the legal options available to you. I will fight diligently to protect your legal rights, your future, and the best interest of your family.

My firm — Eugene F. Cristiano, Attorney at Law — proudly serves clients in Covina, California, and throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Divorce in California

California is a "no-fault" divorce state. This means that spouses seeking divorce do not need to prove that the other party's actions were responsible for the divorce.

Divorce Grounds

Acceptable grounds for no-fault divorce in California include:

• Insanity

• Irreconcilable differences

Residency Requirements

In California, either you or your spouse must have been a resident of the state for a minimum of six months before filing. You must also have lived in the county in which you are filing for divorce for at least three months. Divorces in California are classified into two categories — contested or uncontested.

Uncontested Divorce

In an uncontested divorce, both spouses mutually agree on the key terms of their divorce. The couples will create a separation agreement that states the important terms of the divorce settlement, including asset division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. All terms agreed upon will be filed with the court for official approval. I provide mediation services to help couples seeking a divorce so they can resolve family legal issues and disagreements as amicably as possible.

Contested Divorce

In a contested divorce, the spouses are not able to agree on one or more important divorce settlement terms. Settling such issues may require the intervention of a California family court. During a hearing, a judge will issue the divorce order finalizing the marital dissolution. An experienced attorney can help present your case meticulously and increase your likelihood of reaching the best available outcome.

Spousal Support in California

During a divorce or legal separation, a California family court may order the higher wage-earning spouse to make payments for financial assistance or support to the lower or non-wage-earning spouse every month. This is referred to as spousal support or alimony.

In California, spousal support may be temporary, permanent, rehabilitative, or reimbursement alimony. The following factors may be considered to determine the amount, type, and duration of alimony:

• The duration of the marriage

• The age, physical condition, and mental health of each spouse

• The paying spouse's earning capacity, assets, property, and standard of living

• The marketable skills of the supported spouse

• The ability of the paying spouse to pay alimony

• The obligations and assets available to each spouse, including separate property

• The financial needs of each spouse based on their marital standard of living

• The time and expense required for the supported spouse to complete their education, training, or acquire a skill

• The amount contributed by the supported spouse to the previous education, career, or job training of the paying spouse

Child Custody & Child Support

Before finalizing a divorce, issues of child custody and support must be addressed. A California family court will award custody while making the child's best interests and welfare a priority.

Child Custody

According to California Family Code Section 3085, in deciding the child's best interest, the court will consider the following factors to award custody:

• The child's health, safety, and welfare

• The child's reasonable preference

• Any history of abuse or neglect by one parent against the child or the other parent

• The nature and amount of contact with both parents

• Any history of illegal use of controlled substances, alcohol, or prescribed medications by either parent

• Any other factor deemed relevant by the court

Child Support

In California, both parents are required to support their child until the child reaches 18 years of age. To determine a fair amount in child support payments, the judge will consider the following factors:

• The parents' net disposable incomes

• The number of children that require support

• The child's needs

• The custody (time-share) arrangement

• The tax liabilities of each parent

• Whether a parent supports children from another relationship

• The child’s health insurance expenses

• The mandatory retirement contributions and other job-related expenses of either parent

• Any other relevant costs

Paternity Issues

A paternity action is a legal process that aims to establish whether a particular male is the biological father of a child. Establishing paternity is important to determine the father's rights and his obligations to the child. In California, parentage may be established either voluntarily or involuntarily. Any of the following persons or entities may file a petition with the court to establish paternity:

• The mother of the child

• The alleged father

• An adoption agency

• The child support agency offering services to the mother

Hire a Knowledgeable
Family Law Attorney

Settling legal issues with family members usually involves complicated procedures. Consulting with an experienced California family law attorney is important for detailed guidance and to help resolve such family issues peacefully and quickly.

For over 30 years, I have been providing knowledgeable and comprehensive guidance to clients in family law matters, including divorce, child support, domestic violence, child custody, and mediation. I can work with all parties involved in an attempt to resolve family issues and relationship differences amicably. As your legal counsel, I can offer you the experienced legal counsel and advocacy you need to move forward.