Need a family law attorney in Pasadena?

Divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, property division, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders, guardianship, and modifications of existing orders. Most families face several of these at once, and they affect each other.

On the best interest of the child (Family Code Sections 3011 and 3020): the child's health, safety, and welfare, any history of abuse or substance use, and each parent's contact with the child. There is no automatic 50/50; the schedule is built around the child.

At least six months from service of the petition (Family Code Section 2339). Uncontested cases finish soon after; contested property or custody cases commonly take a year or more.

By a statewide guideline formula based on both parents' incomes and the percentage of time each has the children. Spousal support during the case is also formula-based; long-term spousal support is decided on the factors in Family Code Section 4320.

California is a community property state: what was acquired during the marriage is generally split equally, and what was owned before or received by gift or inheritance stays separate. Tracing and characterizing assets is where most disputes happen.

For custody and visitation disputes, yes. Family Court Services mediation under Family Code Section 3170 comes before a contested hearing. What you propose there shapes what the judge sees.

Yes, by filing a request for order. Final judgments generally require a significant change in circumstances; temporary orders and schedule adjustments have a lower bar. Support changes when income or timeshare changes.

It changes everything. A domestic violence finding creates a presumption against custody for the restrained parent (Family Code Section 3044) and affects support. Restraining orders and custody must be handled together from the first hearing.

Family law cases from Pasadena are heard in Los Angeles County family court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (or your district family law courthouse), 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Temporary orders tend to become permanent, financial disclosures are mandatory and unforgiving, and mistakes in a judgment can take years to fix. Attorney Vincent W. Davis has practiced family law in California for over 40 years and can tell you what to expect before you walk in.