Effective Family Lawyers Resolve Difficult Issues for Orange County Clients

Skilled representation for Californians dealing with difficult domestic litigation matters

Making the decision to end a marriage and trying to work out issues involving minor children can cause a great deal of stress and worry, especially without a dedicated legal representative to advocate for your interests. At Curtis & Burnight, A Professional Corporation, located in Seal Beach and serving the greater Long Beach area, we have been helping families resolve complex divorce, custody, support, adoption, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreement issues for more than 43 years. Our attorneys have a wealth of family law experience, including participating in the family law sections of the Long Beach and Orange County bar associations and serving as volunteer settlement mediators and temporary judges in local family law courts. No matter how complicated your situation, you can count on us for detailed advice and strategic support as we work to find the best possible solution for you and your family.

Dependable legal counsel for divorcing spouses in the greater Long Beach area

Divorce is never easy, even when both spouses agree it’s for the best. There are many factors to consider and certain steps to follow, making it important to work with an attorney who knows the process. We make sure our clients understand their rights in a divorce proceeding and work tirelessly to protect their interests at every turn, carefully explaining issues such as:

• Grounds for divorce — California is considered a no-fault state, meaning you can’t cite your spouse’s actions as the reason for divorce. However, a court may factor in a spouse’s wrongdoing when deciding how to divide property or awarding alimony. We can advise you on how conduct during the marriage might affect property division or spousal support.
• Residency requirement — To file for divorce in California, at least one spouse has to be a resident for at least 180 days. After filing, you must wait at least six months from the date your spouse receives the papers before your divorce can be finalized. Whether you’re facing a contested or uncontested divorce, we can help you file the appropriate paperwork within the proper time frames.
• Property division — California is a community property state, which means all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered marital property owned equally by the spouses. During divorce, property is typically divided equally between the spouses. We can help you resolve disputes concerning property division.

Our attorneys are experienced in handling complex divorce and legal separation cases, including those with significant business interests, professional practices, retirement plans, real property and other property rights. When appropriate, we work with qualified appraisers, accountants, insurance experts and investment counselors to advance our clients’ interests. We also pay careful attention to all aspects of support, including child support, spousal support (alimony), and the maintenance of health insurance and life insurance benefits.

Responsive advocacy for Orange County families facing challenging child custody issues

Sometimes parents can easily agree on a parenting plan and child support arrangement when they split up, and other times they find themselves completely at odds or encounter issues down the road. In all cases, the court renders decisions that are in the best interests of the child, and we take great care to develop a custody plan that preserves the parent-child relationship. We know how important your children are to you, so we strive to be accessible, working closely with clients to resolve custody issues with the utmost competence, confidentiality and sensitivity. We represent both mothers and fathers, advocating for their interests in initial child custody hearings and modifications. We also assist parents with adoption, handling the legal aspects so that they can focus on the joy of bringing a child into their lives. In all cases, we take a personalized approach, giving each client the time they deserve and making ourselves available to answer your questions and set your mind at ease.

Contact a trustworthy California family law attorney to learn about your rights

Curtis & Burnight, A Professional Corporation has been representing Orange County families since 1974. Our firm’s other focus areas of estate planning and business law enhance our ability to provide a full range of high-quality legal assistance in even the most contentious of family law matters. To schedule a consultation at our Seal Beach law office, please call 562-472-0760 or contact us online.