In Part 1, we discussed our law practice and some of the different types of family law cases that we take on. At the Law Offices of Bruce A. Mandel, we are committed to our family law clients, and we aggressively advocate for every case that comes through our door. Keep reading to learn about other types of family law matters that we handle in Part 2 of How a Torrance Family Law Attorney Can Help You.
Child Support Modification
When child support has already been established, and circumstances change for either parent or the child, a child support order may need to be modified by the court. Child support modification may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- One parent has experienced an increase or decrease in income due to a raise, job change, or job loss.
- The need to support other children.
- A change in the child’s needs and expenses.
- One parent develops a serious illness or disability.
- One parent is incarcerated.
We help parents enforce and modify child support terms when necessary. Life is continually changing, which means that what may have been an appropriate child support arrangement at one time, may not be appropriate when circumstances change for either parent or child.
Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution where spouses try to settle divorce terms with the help of a neutral third-party mediator. We help our clients through mediation and advise them throughout the negotiation process. We make sure that they fully understand the terms that they agree to and how those terms may impact them in the present and the future.
Divorce litigation is expensive, and it is very time-consuming. When divorce mediation is successful, it can cut down on both the time and expense involved in divorce litigation, and that is true even when only some of the disputed divorce terms have been settled.
Postnuptial Agreements
Although they are less common than prenuptial agreements, there are many reasons that couples decide to enter into postnuptial agreements after they have been married. Postnuptial agreements can be used to set forth property division and spousal support terms should the marriage end in divorce. They can also be used as an estate planning tool upon the death of one spouse.
Common reasons couples enter into marital agreements after they are married include the following:
- They intended to enter into a prenuptial agreement but did not do so before they were married.
- There is a change in economic circumstances. For example, one spouse came into unforeseen or unexpected money or assets, or one spouse stopped working to raise their children.
- One spouse becomes concerned about the other spouse’s behavior, such as gambling problems, alcohol addiction, or reckless spending.
- To make clear that certain assets or debts belong to one or both spouses.
Legal Separation
Sometimes, for various reasons, our clients want to separate from, but not divorce their spouses. We help our clients work through the legal separation process and establish the terms of the separation. Much like divorce, some issues have to be settled in a legal separation, such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.
Orders Of Protection
If you fear for your physical safety or your child’s safety in a domestic matter, a family law attorney can help. When our clients are victims of abuse or are afraid that they will become victims of domestic violence, we help them secure orders of protection for their safety. Orders of protection are issued by a judge to order a person to stay away from an abuse victim. These orders also prohibit contact between the victim and the abuser, and in some cases, they can be extended to protect children of the victim as well.
Spousal Support
When couples decide to divorce, spousal support may be an issue, especially if one spouse has more earning power than the other spouse. In California, spousal support is calculated after child support is determined during divorce proceedings. When deciding the amount and duration of spousal support, courts will look to many things, such as each party’s earning capacity and how long the marriage lasted.
Torrance Family Law Attorney
Torrance family law attorney Bruce A. Mandel knows that family law matters can be emotional and challenging, and he can help. Contact our office at 424-250-9130 or complete and submit an online form to schedule an appointment.
Follow our Facebook page for information and updates about our law firm and California family law.
