Experienced, Compassionate Representation For California Dissolution Or Legal Separation

When couples get divorced or separate in California, the divorce and family law judicial process can be emotional, personal and complicated. Learning the California divorce process and what the likely results will be, can assist those going through a California divorce or separation, and provide some security and certainty in a future that seems uncertain. In a California divorce or separation family law case, honesty between partners is required and the key to resolving disputes.

Having an experienced and honest attorney is a must when venturing the potentially complicated California divorce or separation family law judicial process. Nathan James offers the skill and . knowledge to handle complex and contentious divorces with the objective of securing fair resolutions. Nathan James is a partner at SEIFER, MURKEN, DESPINA, JAMES and TEICHMAN A Law Corporation. SEIFER, MURKEN, DESPINA, JAMES and TEICHMAN, a Law Corporation specializes in tax law, estate planning law and family law.

Nathan James is certified by the State Bar of California as a family law specialist. The firm serves clients in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara and throughout the Bay Area.

A Lawyer Who Can Be Depended Upon for Divorce, Legal

Separation, Family Law or Post Judgment Issues and

Disputes

Finding solutions and resolving disputes are key to controlling emotions, attorney’s fees and costs when facing a California dissolution or separation. Each California divorce or separation is unique, presenting its own particular issues. Nathan James, and SEIFER, MURKEN, DESPINA, JAMES and TEICHMAN, A Law Corporation, will assist you the client in developing strategies of finding solutions to the problems a California dissolution or separation presents. We advise, resolve, negotiate and litigate as appropriate, based on the particular issues that are presented in your California divorce or separation. We successfully negotiate on behalf of clients involved in highly contentious situations. We are diligent in discovering all property—real and personal--that comprise the community or separate property estates of the individuals going through a California divorce or separation. If you have children, we do our best to try to make sure that their best interests remain at the top of the list. When parents engage in highly contentious California divorce or separation proceedings, especially when arguing over child custody and/or visitation, children can be the indirect targets who feel the bulk of the pain.

Nathan James will walk you through the procedures for commencing a California divorce, separation or family law case. All steps in the California divorce or family law process will be fully explained, and all of your questions will be answered. We are experienced California attorneys. Nathan James is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in the California divorce, separation and family law process and will provide valuable guidance in all California divorce, separation or family matters or issues, including:

Premarital agreements (drafting, negotiating, mediating or litigating the enforceability of such agreements).

 Post marital agreements (drafting, negotiating, mediating or litigating the enforceability of such agreements).

 Domestic violence restraining orders.

 Tax issues pertaining to California divorces or legal separations.

 Issues raised in bankruptcy and how filing for bankruptcy can affect California marital property claims and payments of marital debts.

 All matters of property division and community property/separate property characterization and disputes.

 How mediation may, even in high conflict or complicated California divorce or separation cases, play a significant role in effectuating a resolution.

 Temporary— or orders pending trial— orders for child custody, spousal or child support, use of marital property, or payment of marital debts.

 All facets of child custody, child visitation or timeshare, and child support.

 Spousal support and alimony (for married individuals) and the potential for spousal support for cohabitants (unmarried individuals).

 Post California divorce/separation modification of court judgments or orders.

In your California divorce, separation or family law case, your personal and financial matters will be analyzed in microscopic detail so that your unique situation is given the necessary proper attention so that your rights, both community and separate property rights and parental rights, are protected and fought for. We pride ourselves on being detail oriented and our goal is to obtain the best results for our clients, including an equal and just division of all property, real and personal. We will use the California Family Law statutes and other California statutes and local rules to conduct discovery in order to obtain the necessary information, including documents and other evidence in accordance to what is needed in your California divorce, separation or family law case.

We will target the complex financial matters that may arise when characterizing, valuing and dividing businesses, real property, pensions, 401(ks) and retirement plans, deposit accounts, stock portfolios and stock options.

“I was involved in a highly contentious property dispute with my former spouse. In a post marital agreement I was alleged to have given to give my former spouse, as his separate property, property we acquired while married. I hired Nathan James and Seifer, Murken, Despina, James and; Teichman, ALC, and was able to invalidate the post marital agreement and obtained one half of all property acquired during marriage.”

M.P.

“I was involved in a divorce action in San Mateo, where my former wife accused me of domestic violence, drug abuse and did not want me to have any custody or visitation with our one-year- old daughter. I retained H. Nathan James who litigated the domestic violence allegations. I was successful in obtaining a 50-50 custodial arrangement with my daughter and up to this day, she is with me as 50% of the time. I could not have had more detailed, strategic, caring, and competent representation.”

--J.B.

Various Solutions For Your California Divorce Or Separation Case Or Your

Family Law Case

From the time a California divorce or separation case or family law case is commenced to the time it is finally resolved, either through agreement of the parties or through a judgment or order . from the court, there are certain things and issues that have to be performed or decided on a temporary basis, such as--Who pays the ongoing debts? Who lives in the marital residence? Where do the children live, who gets custody of the children and what is the visitation schedule the parents have with their children? Who pays child support and how much is it? Who pays spousal support and how much is it? Either party to a California divorce or separation or either parent in a family law case may petition the court for what are known as temporary orders or orders that are also known as pendant lite--orders. These orders are needed and are used in an attempt to keep the status quo while the California divorce, separation or family law case proceeds through the court.

When there is community property that is acquired during marriage, California divorce and separation laws generally mandate that the property be divided evenly. California divorce, separation and family laws ensure fair and equitable child support and spousal support awards. Parties to a California divorce or separation are required, according to the Family Law Code to exchange preliminary and final declarations of disclosure which consists of schedules of assets and debts, income and expense declarations, and supporting documents. These documents

are mandatory, and must be completed truthfully and accurately. Honesty is paramount. Spouses in California divorce and separation cases have a fiduciary duty to each other, which mandates complete disclosure of ALL assets, debts and income along with supporting documents. Any breach of a fiduciary duty by one spouse can expose him or her to penalties, including the loss of his or her share in community property, an award of attorney’s fees and other negative consequences. California family law courts abhor spouses who have been dishonest with property and income disclosures and are granted powers through the California Family Code to punish those spouses that have been found to be dishonest.

Nathan James and SEIFER, MURKEN, DESPINA, JAMES and TEICHMAN, ALC will diligently prepare these disclosure documents for you, conduct the discovery necessary to obtain an accurate and comprehensive picture of the value and character of the marital and non-marital estates and carefully review and analyze the documents and other evidence produced by the opposing party, to ensure that you and the court receive an accurate picture of the marital and non-marital estate.

Although some individuals desire representing themselves in a California divorce, separation or family law case, there is no doubt that having experienced and competent legal counsel to advise and assist in navigating the California divorce, separation or family law process is a better option. Our firm is there to advise and assist you with the filing, discovery, negotiation, and litigation stages of a California divorce, separation or family law matter. Our firm will ensure that your California divorce, separation or family law case — whether it is contested, uncontested, or by default — complies with the California Family Code, other applicable civil rules, statutes and procedures and local rules of the particular county where your case is located, so that all of your legal rights are protected..

Arrange A Confidential Consultation

Nathan James and SEIFER, MURKEN, DESPINA, JAMES and TEICHMAN, ALC offers the San Francisco Bay Area with 38 years of experience counseling clients in various legal matters including California divorce, separation and family law cases. We will thoroughly explain all issues related to your California divorce, separation or family law matter and how your California divorce or separation or family law matter might impact your estate, your tax status and obligations while at the same time advocating and guarding your rights, and making sure the resolution of your matter is both equitable and fair.

We know you have many questions, anxieties, and specific concerns. We strive to build relationships with clients based on integrity, trust, and open communication. Please call to arrange an appointment with Nathan James.

You can email him on line or call him at 415-749-5900.

This is intended to be a summary description and should not be relied upon as legal advice. More

information may be obtained by consulting with Nathan James.

H. Nathan James

SEIFER, MURKEN, DESPINA, JAMES and TEICHMAN, ALC,

2135 Lombard Street| San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone: 415-749-5900 ext. 201 | Fax: 415-749-0344