Family Law Attorneys In Riverside, CA
For those living in Riverside, hiring an experienced Riverside family law attorney to represent them during family law cases is vital. Because of how expansive family law is, having someone you trust and can turn to in difficult times can be crucial for your unique case. Here at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, our team focuses exclusively on California family law matters.
Why Choose Us?
Kramer & Zitser, LLP, was created by Brian Kramer and Diana Zitser, two senior attorneys in California. Our team has over 50 years of combined legal experience.
When you come into our office for your consultation, you won’t be treated as just another case number. We understand the emotional weight involved in family law cases, so we approach every client with the empathy they deserve. We regularly represent our Riverside clients at the Riverside Family Law Courthouse, located at 4175 Main Street.
The Types of Services Kramer & Zitser, LLP, Offers
At Kramer & Zitser, LLP, our skilled team offers a variety of family law services. Some of these include:
Divorce
With around 8% of men and 11% of women in Riverside County being divorced as of 2023, it’s vital to hire a family law attorney to secure the most favorable outcome. Divorce impacts not only your personal life but also your financial well-being. An experienced lawyer can listen to your unique situation and needs. Then, they can explain your legal rights and options.
Gray Divorce
Our team also oversees cases of gray divorce. Because of the long marriages of those divorcing later in their lives, these cases have unique challenges. Retirement accounts and pensions have typically had more time to grow over the length of the marriage, making disputes over the division of accounts highly likely.
Our attorneys have extensive experience working with clients divorcing later in life, along with couples with high-value assets. When experiencing a high-asset divorce, having a knowledgeable attorney to oversee property division is vital for ensuring fairness.
In California, couples must fully disclose their finances, even during divorce. Our Riverside divorce attorneys work alongside financial professionals to oversee the property valuation of our high-asset clients.
Spousal Support
Spousal support, commonly referred to as alimony, is typically awarded to a spouse who either has no income or a lower income. This helps the spouse maintain a comfortable lifestyle, especially if they contributed to the marriage through other means, such as raising the children or maintaining the marital home.
With the average Riverside County household income being $90,527 in 2023, alimony can be a crucial source of financial stability. Alimony is awarded by the court based on a variety of factors, and it can last for a set time or indefinitely, depending on the length of the marriage.
Property Division
During any divorce, multiple legal issues must be addressed to ensure a smooth process. This includes property division, which is the process of distributing property to each spouse during a divorce or legal separation.
California recognizes both community property and separate property. Separate property is anything acquired before the marriage, such as income or real estate. Community property is generally anything obtained during the marriage, including income, debts, and retirement accounts.
It’s important to note that separate property can become commingled with community property. For example, you inherited a house before marriage, but you and your spouse then used marital funds to renovate the house before you both moved in. It’s recommended to have a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in place for a potential future divorce.
Child Custody and Child Support
For many parents, the topic of child support and custody during divorce proceedings can be a major source of conflict. A skilled lawyer can represent your interests throughout the case, working to secure the right outcome for your family’s needs. You deserve time with your child, and parents need financial help to maintain a comfortable life for their children.
Paternity
During a child custody or support case, paternity is often used to establish parentage. In California, married couples are legally presumed to be the parents of the child, so they have no need to establish paternity.
For unmarried couples, having to legally determine parentage can bring about intense emotions. Our attorneys can guide parents through the entire process. Establishing legal parentage gives a parent the right to make decisions on behalf of their child. These include:
- Their education and where they attend school
- Their healthcare
- Their living arrangements and visitation
It can also allow the court to enforce child support, as the receiving parent can only open a case against a legal parent. No matter what side of the case you’re on, the lawyers at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, can represent your interests during your paternity case.
Adoption
Expanding your family unit can be an incredibly exciting time. However, facing the legalities involved with adoption can bring more stress than necessary. Having an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the process can be crucial for success.
In California, adoptive parents can be:
- Stepparents
- Domestic partners
- Relatives who have been caring for the child
- Someone not related by blood
If the child is 12 or older, they must agree to the adoption. Adoption records in California are confidential.
There are different types of adoptions available, depending on the situation:
- A stepparent adoption occurs when a stepparent adopts their spouse’s or partner’s child.
- An adoption to confirm parentage is often used in assisted reproduction or LGBTQ+ families to make sure the law recognizes both parents.
- Independent adoptions are arranged directly between birth parents and adoptive parents without an agency.
- Agency adoptions are handled by a licensed public or private agency.
- An international adoption happens when a child is adopted from another country.
Once the adoption is complete, the adoptive parent has the same legal rights and responsibilities as a biological parent. This relationship is treated the same as if the child were born into the family.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Many people think that having a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is taboo or unfair to one spouse. However, having this agreement can ensure fairness in the event of a divorce or legal separation.
When divorcing, the prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can outline property division and other legal issues, helping couples maintain control over their assets and avoid disputes. If one isn’t in place, the courts may keep the final say over legal issues.
Hire a Family Law Attorney Today
As longtime California residents, the team at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, has dedicated their professional lives to protecting our neighbors and communities. Our attorneys value our clients’ privacy and emotional well-being.
We keep our client’s needs at the forefront when creating a legal strategy. Our team is passionate about justice and proud to be trusted members of California’s legal community.
FAQs
How Does a High-Net-Worth Divorce Differ From a Typical Divorce in California?
A high-net-worth divorce is often more complex than a typical divorce because both parties want to protect their financial interests. Disputes over asset valuation or the division of property can make the process full of disagreements. A Riverside family lawyer can carefully handle these cases and properly address all aspects of the divorce. Our team can manage complex assets like businesses, trusts, investments, and real estate.
What Do I Do If I Discover That My Spouse Is Hiding Assets From Me?
If you discover that your spouse is hiding assets from you, contact a lawyer immediately to open a legal claim. California law requires that spouses share full financial information during divorce proceedings. If someone hides assets, there are legal penalties. The court can award the other spouse 50% of any hidden assets. In more serious cases, the court may award 100% of the hidden assets to the harmed spouse.
What Are the Benefits of Mediation in a California Divorce Case?
Mediation offers many benefits compared to traditional court proceedings. The mediator doesn’t make legal decisions on the couple’s behalf; instead, they facilitate healthy communication between spouses to resolve issues. Otherwise, the court steps in to make decisions. This can enable the couple to maintain control over their case. Unlike a trial, mediation keeps discussions confidential and is less costly.
Can a Court Order Be Modified After It’s Finalized?
A final court order, such as those dealing with alimony or child custody, can be modified after being issued. Modifications are often necessary when a person’s life changes substantially after a divorce. This can include a job change or someone moving to a new city. Consulting a lawyer at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, can ensure the most favorable outcome for your modification case, as strong evidence and advocacy are necessary.
Choose a Trusted Riverside Family Law Firm
When you work with Kramer & Zitser, LLP, your priorities become ours. Our attorneys transparently explain everything throughout your case to ensure clarity. That way, you can make informed decisions about your situation. This isn’t just a legal case for you; it’s your life.
The outcome of your case can dictate the outcome of your future. Let our team be the ones to handle your family law matter. Contact our office today to learn how we can help.
