Huntington Beach, California
Divorce Attorney Barbara E. McNamara
- Divorce Mediation
- Divorce Litigation
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Modification of Prior Court Orders & Judgments
- Child Support & Child Custody
- Spousal Support
Services
Mediation
Mediation is designed to keep the parties out of court. The current litigation backlog in the Orange County Superior Court has created an estimated two to three-month delay in getting to your hearing date. With Mediation, you and the other party meet directly with me to keep your divorce out of the courtroom. Divorce attorneys are accountable to the State Bar of California. Sure, there are non-attorney Mediators and "Licensed Document Preparers" out there who can promise to work for less, but they are not licensed to practice law. If the non-lawyer Mediator is doing more than typing the forms for you, that person is practicing law without a license — which is a misdemeanor in California!
Litigation
When Mediation is not an option, you need a Divorce lawyer with experience in litigation and the court system. Attorney McNamara has been practicing family law in Orange County since 1997. The family law litigation system is not easy to navigate without trusted advice and knowledge of the law. Attorney McNamara will prepare your case from the beginning to set your trial up for success. If settlement cannot be reached prior to Trial, Attorney McNamara will dedicate the time needed to achieve the best results for your case. Let Attorney McNamara handle the battles for you.
Temporary Orders
In family law, parties may need temporary orders for your case. In cases involving children, parents should consider making requests for legal custody, physical custody, the actual parenting plan (i.e., how frequently each parent has physical custody.) Parents may wish to request Child Support and Spousal Support. Temporary Spousal Support differs from Permanent (long-term) Spousal Support. Some cases require temporary orders for Property, such as exclusive use and possession of the family residence. Every case is unique, and needs attention to detail. Attorney McNamara will guide you in these decisions depending upon the facts of your case.
Remote Hearings
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, some of the simpler hearings at the Orange County Superior Court family law matters can be held remotely. Typically, all evidentiary hearings are scheduled for an in-person hearing at the courthouse. It is also important to note that the Judges for Family Law in Orange County are frequently changing. We have many new Judges who have limited experience in Family Law. Most family law hearings are set 3 months in the advance from the date you file a Request for Order (RFO) Hearing to obtain your orders.
Why Should I Hire a Certified Family Law Specialist?
Family Law issues can be very complicated. I have knowledge of property law, can analyze limited information regarding taxes, business operations, issues pertaining to psychology, custody, finances as it pertains to child and spousal support, inheritance and retirement issues, to name a few. As a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), I am required to maintain twice the Continuing Legal Education credits every year to maintain my standing as a CFLS. In addition, since many of our Orange County Superior Court judges are new, they often rely upon your attorney to educate them regarding the finer points of family law matters. Choosing a specialist is significant in educating the Judge regarding the nuances of your case, and how the law supports your position.
How Long Will This Take?
The average time it takes to get a divorce in Orange County is 12–24 months. However, it can be legally granted just 6 months from the date the other party is served. A "quick divorce" is rare, but it can happen if both parties are willing to get their paperwork done and collectively work out an amicable resolution. If parties cannot mediate or settle, the case can drag on for months or years.
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