Divorce and Separation

Ending a marriage is difficult under any circumstances. Both the grounds and residency requirements for divorce differ from state to state, and must be taken into consideration before filing. Also, in some circumstances, there are advantages to consider separation instead of divorce and we can help you make that difficult decision. Our principal family law attorney has nearly 20 years of experience in handling complex divorces in both Nevada and California divorces, and can help you with yours.

1. Child Custody and Visitation
   Child custody and visitation is a complex area. There are a myriad of factors the court must balance and consider in making determinations about this very important issue. The court will determine both legal and physical custody, time sharing between the parents, and focus upon the best interests of the child in making its determinations. Issues may also arise later if one or both parents plan to move from a school district or from the state. There are many tools such as mediation and custody evaluations which can be ordered to assist the Court in making determinations on this issue and our family law attorneys can help you navigate this emotional and difficult transition.
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2. Child Support
   Child support guidelines vary from state to state, and our principal family law attorney has worked extensively with both Nevada and California guidelines. Common issues include income used for determining support; determinations as to imputation of income; medical insurance; work-related child care; wage assignments; and deferred home sale orders.
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3. Spousal Support
   Our principal family law attorney has worked with spousal support issues in both Nevada and California for nearly 20 years. Issues that may arise include the duration of the award; the methods of calculating the award; the factors taken into consideration by the court; and whether a lump sum buyout may be used.
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4. Division of Assets and Liabilities
   Both Nevada and California are community property states, which means as a general rule that a couple’s assets and liabilities will be characterized as either community or separate property and divided according to community property rules, unless prior agreements between the parties apply. Multiple rules apply concerning what constituted a gift of cash or property from one spouse to another, what action transmuted community property into separate property and vice versa (regardless of the actual intent of the spouses at the time). There are also complex determinations that need to be made with regard to businesses in the event a business was owned prior to marriage but was continually operated during the marriage. Let our experienced family law attorneys negotiate this convoluted area for you.
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5. Bifurcation of Status
   Bifurcation of status must be granted in order for one spouse to be married again before the other issues of the divorce have been resolved. Our family law attorneys can achieve this for you.
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6. Attorney’s Fees and Costs
   The negotiation and award of attorney’s fees and costs is probably one of the most difficult parts of a divorce. There are a variety of factors the court considers in making determinations about attorney’s fees in an effort to place parties on a level playing field. Our principal family law attorney has nearly 20 years of experience in both Nevada and California divorces, and can help you with this difficult area in your divorce.
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