The Law Offices of Barton Pokras Blog

News and information from Barton Pokras: Thousand Oaks Divorce Attorney

News and information from Barton Pokras:

As a family law attorney in Westlake Village, I’m often asked if I can give some tips on finding the right divorce attorney. I think it might be helpful to get an answer to this question from a third-party source. Here are a few tips from an article that first appeared in First Wives World, a website dedicated to providing support to recently divorced people. These tips, and the article itself, are written from the female perspective, but not bad advice for men or women. In addition, if you’re a man, this article will give you a bit of insight into the woman’s concerns and fears. This may help if you actually end up going through the divorce process — it may help you understand why your spouse is focusing on particular matters. In short, if you’re considering divorce and interviewing attorneys, the tips are:

Although I enthusiastically support mediation over a contested divorce, there are cases where mediation is not suitable. For a quick summary of situations that fall into this category, read this article on divorce mediation from the American Bar Association. For a more in-depth discussion about your particular situation, please give me a call at (805) 477-0505. I urge people who are thinking about divorce to consider a collaborative divorce or mediation. I serve clients around Southern California, with a focus on the areas surrounding Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Disclaimer   The materials on this website are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. These materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete, or up-to-date and should in no way be taken as an indication of future results. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and the receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver. Blog posts on this website are offered for general informational and educational purposes only. They are not offered as and do not constitute legal advice or legal opinions. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this website without first seeking the advice of an attorney. The transmission of an email request for information does not create an attorney-client relationship and you should not send us via email any information or facts relating to your legal problem or question. This website also contains links to other resources on the Internet. These links are provided as citations and aids to help you identify and locate other Internet resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that the Law Offices of Barton Pokras sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.

If you’re looking for a divorce attorney, I highly recommend one who emphasizes collaboration and mediation over a heated battle. This is why I have structured my practice to emphasize mediation first. For another perspective, see this article on collaborative divorce on the well-respected Nolo.com website. If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please give me a call at (805) 477-0505. I urge people who are thinking about divorce to consider a collaborative divorce or mediation. I serve clients throughout Southern California, with a focus on the areas surrounding Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Disclaimer   The materials on this website are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. These materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete, or up-to-date and should in no way be taken as an indication of future results. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and the receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver. Blog posts on this website are offered for general informational and educational purposes only. They are not offered as and do not constitute legal advice or legal opinions. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this website without first seeking the advice of an attorney. The transmission of an email request for information does not create an attorney-client relationship and you should not send us via email any information or facts relating to your legal problem or question. This website also contains links to other resources on the Internet. These links are provided as citations and aids to help you identify and locate other Internet resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that the Law Offices of Barton Pokras sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.

Divorce Attorney, Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Lawyer: Serving Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and all areas surrounding the Conejo Valley

For Westlake Village residents, the Law & Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras provide an outstanding resource. Barton Pokras is a Family Law Attorney with substantial experience in all aspects of family law. He can help you with the challenges of taxation, business law, contracts and real property — and divorce mediation. Pokras is particularly adept at helping divorcing families who own businesses, have sophisticated estate plans, real property holdings and retirement plans that need to be dealt with in the division of community assets and liabilities. The Law Offices are located in the heart of Westlake Village, at 3075 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. If you are dealing with a divorce or legal separation, and need advice about child custody or visitation, child support, spousal support or alimony, give the offices a call today. The Law Offices of Barton Pokras are experienced in handling the more complicated aspects of divorce, including asset and property division, post-judgment modifications, paternity and parental rights and prenuptial agreements. Barton Pokras can also offer expert guidance regarding mediation and the collaborative process.

Spousal support is an integral part of the divorce settlement. As a rule of thumb, the courts’ approach to alimony is straightforward: What is the need of the party seeking support and does it match up with the other party’s ability to pay? Ventura County courts look at a variety of factors in determining alimony payments and the term of spousal support. These factors include:

Many couples choose a mediated divorce because it helps minimize the costs of divorce. It also provides a context in which a couple can respectfully resolve any or all of the issues in a divorce, including custody and visitation of children, spousal and child support, division of assets and liabilities. But there is sometimes a complicating issue in the process: Finances. In situtions where one of the spouses needs assistance in understanding some of the financial considerations, a neutral financial expert such as a CPA or financial planner can be brought into the mediation process to provide the necessary information, and when helpful to even attend a joint mediation session with both of the spouses. If you’re concerned about financial issues as they pertain to a divorce, please give me a call at (805) 477-0505. I will give you a confidential and objective opinion about your particular situation. ____________________________________________ Westlake Village’s Leading Divorce Mediator   Disclaimer   The materials on this website are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. These materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete, or up-to-date and should in no way be taken as an indication of future results. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and the receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver. Blog posts on this website are offered for general informational and educational purposes only. They are not offered as and do not constitute legal advice or legal opinions. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this website without first seeking the advice of an attorney. The transmission of an email request for information does not create an attorney-client relationship and you should not send us via email any information or facts relating to your legal problem or question. This website also contains links to other resources on the Internet. These links are provided as citations and aids to help you identify and locate other Internet resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that the Law Offices of Barton Pokras sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between legal separation and divorce? California state law is specific in regard to divorce and legal separation. In California, it take six months to become divorced. A legal separation is the filing of court documents that can immediately affect almost every legal aspect of your marriage: division of property, alimony, child support, child custody, etc – but there are several significant differences from a divorce. The most important differences are that both spouses must agree to a legal separation and many legal obligations will remain in place although you are no longer living as a married couple. Reasons a legal separation may be preferred over a divorce: