Ventura Family Law Attorneys

Serving Clients Throughout Ventura County

Family law matters are very personal, usually with long term consequences. Whether facing the end of a marriage, or the need to use legal means to enforce a court order, or other issues that must be addressed legally, it is imperative that you have a Ventura family law attorney with the skills, dedication and experience to protect your rights and interests. Our lead attorney is a Certified California Family Law Specialist.

At Negley Law, APC we are accessible to our clients throughout the legal process, and we work diligently to negotiate and keep cases out of court whenever possible, but are willing to take a case to court when necessary. We serve only in Ventura County, allowing us to be very familiar with the local rules and court staff. We believe in establishing personal communication with our clients, and are responsive to all of their questions and concerns.

Request a free consultation to discuss your legal needs or read on for more information.

What Family Law Issue Are You Experiencing?

• Divorce - A divorce can be a simple process, or be heavily contested requiring litigation. In either case, you need to know that your rights and interests are protected by a Ventura divorce attorney with personal commitment to you, your case and your future.
• Mediation -In many cases, the critical issues in a divorce can be resolved prior to court through professional mediation. This process allows the two parties to address each issue in the divorce through negotiation. Our firm can provide you with mediation services, and help you avoid the problem of a long court battle and the expense involved.
• Annulment - Under specific circumstances, a marriage or domestic partnership can be annulled. If you are seeking an annulment, Negley Law, APC can help. There are several legal reasons that allow for an annulment, including incest, bigamy, mental illness, fraud, when the marriage was forced, as well as physical incapacity.
• Legal Separation - Some couples choose to legally separate rather than divorce, either due to religion, hopes that the marriage problems can be resolved, or when they are not yet ready to take the step of dissolving their marriage. A legal separation agreement can be drafted which to arrange for the responsibilities of each party, including matters such as support, custody, and financial matters.
• Division of Debts - Over the duration of a marriage, there can be a large number of financial obligations that the partners were mutually responsible for, including mortgages, car payments, credit card bills, medical bills and others. In a divorce or legal separation, it is vital that you protect your financial future with the help of a divorce lawyer.
• Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements - When planning to marry, many couples choose to have a prenuptial agreement, making financial arrangements should the marriage end in the future. This allows the individual to protect their personal assets in a marriage.
• Child Custody - One of the most contentious issues in a divorce can be the issue of child custody. Both parents may consider that they would serve best as the main custodial parent, or may disagree on how time will be split in any arrangements. Getting this issue resolved is a crucial matter that often requires a skilled negotiator.
• Modification to Child Custody - A child custody order may need to be changed, and this must be done through the court. When a parent needs to relocate, or if the situation has changed and the child or children are in danger, such as with drug use, alcohol problems or other issues, a modification must be sought for the best interests of the child.
• Child Support - One of the issues that is often difficult to resolve in a divorce is the issue of child support. A parent can find it difficult to face the fact that they must provide the needed funds so that their children have the support they need.
• Modification to Child Support - As life circumstances change, such as a change in occupation, a new marriage or other situation, it may be necessary to change an existing child support order. This must be approved by the court. If you are currently paying child support and need to change the amount, or if your child has needs that require more in child support, the firm can help.
• Enforcement of Court Orders - When the court has ordered certain visitation, child support, child custody or spousal support in a divorce, a failure to adhere to the judgment can lead to legal problems. When an individual does not comply with the order, it can be enforced through various means, including having the person charged with contempt of court.
• Visitation - In a divorce, the issue of visitation is an important one. One parent may spend the majority of time with the children, and the only time the other parent can see them is during their ordered visitation time. In some cases, the main custodial parent can make it difficult for the court-ordered visitation to take place, or even could engage in convincing the children to not want to visit their other parent.
• Relocation - If you have been divorced and have court-ordered custody and visitation, you cannot relocate out of state or at a long distance from your children without getting approval from the court. As a move out of state or at a long distance can affect the children, arrangements must be made with regard to custody and visitation.
• Spousal Support - California law allows for spousal support to be paid to a former partner, based on a formula. This includes the income of each individual, the duration of the marriage, and what contributions the other party made to the marriage. In some cases a settlement is arranged.
• Spousal Support Modifications - Changes in employment or other matter can lead to the necessity to modify an existing spousal support order. The court may or may not approve the change, but it is crucial that your request is presented professionally to the court for the best possibility of the change being approved.
• Domestic Violence - If you are a victim of domestic violence, the need to take legal action to protect yourself is critical. As many cases of spousal abuse or child abuse continue to escalate, the danger is real. The firm can assist you to get a restraining order, and will move forward immediately to help you get this protection.
• Restraining Orders - A restraining order can be issued immediately in cases of domestic violence. If law enforcement has been called, these orders are usually issued at the time of the call. You will need to get the order extended. These are crucial matters as should the other party violate the order they will be put in jail.
• Guardianship - In some cases a child or other person does not have the ability to care for themselves. A guardian takes on the responsibility of caring for the child or other incapacitated individual, in all living arrangements, health care issues, and in many cases manages their finances as well.

Our Ventura attorneys are Certified in California as Family Law Specialists. Let us handle the legal complexities of your family law matter, our goal is for you to know that you don't have to face your family legal situation alone. Let us help you keep those relationships that matter most to you.

Contact a Ventura divorce attorney from Negley Law, APC to assist you with any divorce or family law matter.