Divorces are stressful and can be complicated. The challenges require an attorney with substantial experience and empathy to guide you through the process. Karen S. Brown provides that experience to help you achieve a fair settlement or she will vigorously advocate for your best interests in Court. Her office represent clients throughout the Southland handling a wide variety of cases.
Child Custody,Visitation and Modification
Parents need to understand the law in California when fighting for custody and visitation time. There are two types: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody involves the authority to make decisions about the child’s health, education and welfare.
Child Support & Spousal Support
California law requires the calculation of guideline child support that is presumed to be the correct child support sum. The calculation is based on a parent’s net disposable income after the gross monthly income is input along with the number of children, the timeshare of each parent and other distinct categories that are entered into a computerized system.
The Law Office of Karen S. Brown can provide the professional services you need when a close family member is incapacitated or has become unstable.
The Law Office of Karen S. Brown has extensive experience in advising same sex couples and couples who qualify under the statutory scheme of California law for domestic partnerships. For lawfully registered same sex couples who divorce, the issues are nearly the same as for heterosexual couples.
Acts of both physical and emotional domestic violence sadly occur daily. I am here to help you obtain the orders you need for your protection and that of your family.
When you enter into a marriage, all property, earnings and debts are an equal proposition. A divorce requires the evaluation and determination of what assets are part of the marital estate, which are separate property and how all should be distributed.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
It is vital to consult with any attorney before entering into an agreement before marriage with the prospective spouse. Engaged couples need to carefully consider their rights and obligations upon marriage and what can be achieved by a prenuptial agreement.
Move aways can occur after a dissolution judgment is entered. I can provide you advice regarding move aways to another city or state.
As a general proposition grandparents do not have automatic rights to custody of the children. They must prove they are entitled to a legal relationship.
Permanent support or alimony is required in a marriage of over ten years’ duration unless the parties agree otherwise.
Divorces involving high net worth and substantial assets require careful planning. I associate a colleague who is also a certified family law specialist and a certified public accountant to ensure that you receive the most aggressive and thorough representation.
Issues For Corporate Executives
If you are an executive of a corporation and enjoy a significant compensation package, there are many factors to consider in a divorce. You may own equitable interests in the company and be entitled to deferred compensation and pension funds.
Protecting Professionals in a Divorce
Professional persons have unique issues in a divorce. They are at risk to lose assets if the case is not handled properly. I work with reputable experts to evaluate the value of your assets and the appreciation of business during marriage.
There are many issues surrounding the valuation of a family business which must be sold or awarded to one spouse with an equalization payment to the other during a divorce.
Evaluations of Professional Practices
There are many factors in determining a professional practice. To evaluate a professional practice or a career is a subtle task.
The goal is to preserve assets but often some parties may take an irrational approach to securing a particular asset. It is best to consider the total financial picture and agree to a distribution that one might not have ordinarily considered after legal and accounting advice.
RETIREMENT, PENSIONS PLANS AND QDRO’S
Individuals with retirement and pension plans need those evaluated and if applicable subject to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to protect the interest of the non employee spouse.
Many families of high net worth have living trusts set up for estate planning purposes and for distribution of their assets to their designated beneficiaries and for charitable gifting.