Family Law Attorney | San Francisco | 100% Free Consultations

Your family is the foundation of your world, and a San Francisco family law attorney can provide the support you need when challenges arise.

Your family is the foundation of your world. When something shakes your foundation, you need to determine what the damage is and what steps you can take to repair and rebuild.

Family law covers personal relationships between parents and children and between spouses or domestic partners. A family lawyer knows the ins and outs of family law and how to apply the law to your unique circumstances.

At the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., we understand that legal issues in your family may make you feel like you cannot get your feet beneath you. Our San Francisco family law attorney, Ali Yousefi, has the tools and experience to help you make and execute a plan to repair and rebuild your foundation. We can offer you advice and support to help with:

Child support,
Child custody and visitation,
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements,
Divorce,
Asset division,
Spousal support, and
Protection orders from domestic violence.

Family Law Basics

California’s Family Code guides legal matters involving the family, providing systems for entering into domestic partnerships and marriages and what to do when those relationships end. The Family Code also establishes parents’ rights and responsibilities toward their children. A good family lawyer knows not only what the California Family Code says but how to apply it to the lives of our clients. Our family law services run the gamut, covering almost anything your family may be dealing with.

Child Custody, Visitation, and Support

Separating from your partner is stressful and complicated on its own, but it becomes all the more so when you have shared children. Questions arise about who will have custody, what a visitation schedule will look like, and whether and how much child support the other partner will pay. These questions can arise about shared children even if you were never in a relationship. No matter your circumstances, we can help you figure out what to do next.

Child Custody and Visitation

Deciding who will have custody of your children and what that custody will look like can be one of the most contentious parts of a separation. Even when you and your partner agree on the basics, figuring out schedules and who is responsible for what often requires serious negotiation. And if one partner has a history of domestic violence, planning out child custody and visitation can seem impossible.

No matter what, you want what is best for your children. So do the California courts. Whether you are seeking primary custody or your ex-partner has primary custody and you need to arrange a visitation schedule to ensure you see your children regularly, we can help. We have assisted clients in many situations and can design a strategy tailored to your goals.

Child Support

Under California law, parents must support their children until they are 18. When one parent has primary custody, the other often pays them child support. Child support can be decided during the divorce or separation process or separately. Even if a parent does not know or believe a child is theirs, they may be obligated to support the child if genetic testing confirms they are the parent.

California law provides a formula for calculating child support, and the government even offers a guideline calculator to help you determine your support obligations. However, life is rarely as simple as inputting numbers into a webpage. We have worked with clients to negotiate child support and ensure support is paid on time. We have also helped clients to modify child support orders after their life circumstances changed. Whatever your situation, we are here to help.

Marriage, Separation, and Divorce

Our romantic partners are the people we choose to walk through our lives with, building something new together. If you are ready to register as domestic partners or get married and want to ensure you and your partner are on the same page about what will happen should things not work out, the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi can help draft a prenuptial agreement.

Unfortunately, not every romantic union lasts. Whether you are married or not, we can help you navigate the separation process. In addition to child custody, support, and visitation, we can help with:

Debt and asset division,
Spousal support, and
Domestic violence.

We work with you to make a plan; then we fight to get you as close to your ideal outcome as possible.

Asset Division

California is a community property state, meaning that each spouse or domestic partner is generally presumed to share assets and debts acquired during the partnership equally. Deciding how to divide debts and assets can be one of the most stressful parts of a separation.

If you and your partner negotiate outside the court system, you can divide your debts and assets as you see fit. If you need the court’s assistance, a judge will decide how to split your assets. We have years of experience fighting to get our clients a fair division of assets, whether by negotiating, attending mediation, or battling it out in a courtroom.

Spousal Support

When one spouse was the primary earner and the other primarily provided domestic support, the partner who did not work outside the home may request spousal support. Commonly referred to as alimony, spousal support can be temporary or permanent. We have helped many clients negotiate spousal support to ensure both partners walk away from the relationship with their feet beneath them.

Protection Orders from Domestic Violence

If your partner has abused you or your child, you may seek a protective order during the separation process. Ending a relationship is hard enough, but leaving a partner who inflicted violence on you can be downright dangerous. We can help you file a protective order to keep you or your child safe as you work to build your new future.

Divorce Process Overview in California

The divorce process in California typically follows a series of steps, from the initial filing of a divorce petition to the final judgment of divorce. Here’s an outline of the divorce process in California:

Filing the Petition: The divorce process begins with one spouse filing a divorce petition in the appropriate California county court. The petition outlines the grounds for divorce and any initial requests for child custody, support, and property division.
Service of Process: After filing, the divorce papers must be properly served on the other spouse, who then has a specific time to respond.
Response: The responding spouse files a response to the divorce petition, addressing issues raised in the initial filing. If both spouses agree on the divorce terms, they may file a joint petition, simplifying the process.
Temporary Orders: If necessary, either party may request temporary orders related to child custody, spousal support, or property issues while the divorce is pending.
Discovery: Both spouses may exchange information and documents to prepare for negotiations or court proceedings. This may involve financial disclosures and other relevant information.
Negotiation or Mediation: Spouses may attempt to negotiate and reach agreements on matters such as child custody, spousal support, and property division. Mediation can be helpful in resolving disputes.
Court Proceedings: If negotiations fail, the case may proceed to court. The court will address unresolved issues, and both parties will present their arguments.
Judgment of Divorce: Once all issues are resolved, the court will issue a final judgment of divorce. In California, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the divorce petition is served before the divorce can be finalized.
Property Division and Support Enforcement: The court’s judgment will detail the division of assets, spousal support, child custody, and child support arrangements. These orders must be followed by both parties.
Post-Divorce Matters: After the divorce is finalized, both spouses must adhere to the court’s orders. If disputes arise or modifications are needed, legal processes can be initiated.

The divorce process in California can vary in duration and complexity based on individual circumstances. It’s advisable to seek legal counsel to navigate the specific requirements and legal aspects of your divorce case.

Why Choose Us as Your San Francisco Family Law Attorney?

Searching for a lawyer is never easy. When you are going to trust your attorney with something as precious as your family, you do not want to just hire whoever comes up when you search for a “family attorney near me.” You want to feel confident that you are hiring the right person.

You need a family lawyer with the experience to handle cases like yours and the flexibility to adapt to what makes your situation unique. Your lawyer should be compassionate and understanding as you navigate a world that may have become unrecognizable. To help you face that new world, you need a family lawyer who listens and fights for you while ensuring you understand any risks you might confront.

Our family law attorney is all those things and more. We are passionate about helping you repair and rebuild your foundation so that you can feel like you are standing on solid ground. Contact us today to discuss what our San Francisco family law attorney can do for you.