Family-related disputes can be incredibly stressful. When approaching a divorce or separation, you're faced with life-altering decisions. If children are involved, you have to consider their best interests as your family's dynamic, routines, and parenting roles evolve.
Managing this on your own can be challenging, which is where the assistance of a skilled attorney becomes invaluable. In California, individuals facing divorce, child custody disputes, property division, and more turn to experienced family law attorneys like Karen S. Brown for support.
With four decades of experience, Karen S. Brown has established herself as a trusted resource for individuals and families in Beverly Hills and throughout California, including Santa Monica, Culver City, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Torrance, Long Beach, Orange County, and beyond.
She is a certified family law specialist by The State Bar of California and has been recognized by California Super Lawyers for eight years. Her dedication to her clients' well-being makes her an invaluable ally in the pursuit of just and equitable outcomes.
Whether negotiating contentious divorce settlements or formulating fair child custody agreements, Karen S. Brown takes the time to get to know you, your values, and your current circumstances with a focus on understanding your personal and legal goals. This thorough understanding allows her to help you build a stable future post-divorce or separation.
Types of Cases Karen S Brown Handles
Family law encompasses legal issues related to domestic relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and support. Karen S. Brown aims to address the rights and responsibilities of individuals within these relationships.
Divorce
Karen S. Brown assists clients in both contested and uncontested divorces, as well as high-asset divorces, fighting for their rights and protecting their interests. She provides counsel on all facets of divorce, from initial filings to final judgments, including negotiations for spousal support, division of assets, and debt allocation.
Child Custody and Visitation Rights
Child custody disputes require a delicate balance between advocating for parental rights and prioritizing the child's welfare. Karen S. Brown works diligently to achieve favorable outcomes in custody arrangements, whether through litigation or mediation. She also handles modifications to existing custody agreements and enforces visitation rights.
Domestic Violence
Victims of domestic violence often require immediate and effective legal assistance. Karen S. Brown offers compassionate and assertive representation to secure protective orders and other legal remedies to ensure the safety and well-being of her clients.
Legal Solutions for Family Matters
How to File for Family Law Disputes
Family law disputes in California can be intimidating without support. When you engage Karen S. Brown to represent you in your family law case, she will help you through the stages of filing a dispute.
Consultation: Schedule an initial consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
Petition: File a petition with the court to initiate the proceedings (e.g., divorce petition, custody petition).
Service of process: Serve the petition to the opposing party.
Response: The opposing party files a response within the legally set time frame.
Mediation and Settlement
Many family law cases in California are resolved through mediation, where parties work with a neutral mediator to reach an amicable agreement. Karen S. Brown will facilitate effective mediation sessions to help her clients avoid lengthy court battles and reach a fair settlement.
If mediation fails, cases will often proceed to court hearings. Karen S. Brown represents her clients in these hearings, presenting evidence and arguments to advocate for their desired outcomes.
Key Aspects of California Family Law
Child support: California calculates child support using a specific formula considering both parents' incomes, time spent with the child, and other relevant factors. Accurate financial disclosures are essential for a fair support order.
Spousal support: Spousal support (alimony) aims to provide financial assistance to a lower-earning spouse. The amount and duration depend on factors like marriage length, each spouse's earning capacity, and standard of living during the marriage.
Asset division: California is a community property state, meaning all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are typically divided equally upon divorce. However, this can be complex, especially with high-value assets or commingled property.
Why Choose Karen S. Brown?
Karen S. Brown offers attentive and knowledgeable legal representation to clients across California, providing compassionate support and personalized strategies. Her clients benefit from open and transparent communication, and she empowers them to make informed decisions at every step of their legal journey.
With a focus on high-asset divorces, complex child custody cases, and other family law matters, Karen S. Brown gives each client the advocacy they deserve.
Family Law FAQ
How is property divided in a California divorce?
California is a community property state, which means that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are typically divided equally between spouses. This includes income, real estate, vehicles, and other property accumulated while married. However, separate property—assets or debts owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritances—is generally not subject to division.
What factors determine child custody in California?
Child custody decisions in California are guided by the best interests of the child. The court considers several factors, including:
The child's health, safety, and welfare
Each parent's ability to care for the child
Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
The child's relationship with each parent
Joint custody is often favored to ensure that both parents maintain a meaningful role in the child's life.
How is child support calculated?
California uses a specific formula to calculate child support, considering both parents' income, custodial timeshare, and other pertinent factors such as health insurance expenses, daycare costs, and educational needs. The state's child support guidelines aim to meet the child's financial needs without placing an undue burden on either parent.
What is spousal support, and how is it determined?
Spousal support, or alimony, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other following a divorce. The purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living to that experienced during the marriage.
Factors influencing spousal support include the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, contributions to the other's education or career, and the age and health of both parties.
Short-term marriages might result in temporary support, while long-term marriages could lead to longer-term or even permanent support.
When should I consider hiring a family law attorney?
Hiring a family law attorney is advisable when dealing with complex issues such as:
High-conflict custody battles
Significant assets or debts to divide
Domestic violence concerns
Disputes over spousal or child support
An experienced attorney like Karen S. Brown can provide valuable guidance, protecting your rights and helping you face the often-challenging legal processes of family law.
California Family Law Attorney
When it comes to family law matters in California, having a skilled and empathetic attorney like Karen S. Brown by your side can make all the difference in achieving a favorable outcome for your case.
If you need legal assistance with family law disputes, Karen S. Brown offers the guidance and support you need. With her extensive experience and dedication to her clients, you can trust her to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and care.
The Law Office of Karen S. Brown serves clients across California in Beverly Hills and throughout Santa Monica, Culver City, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Torrance, Long Beach, Orange County, and beyond. To schedule your free initial consultation and start building a secure future with compassionate and authoritative support, contact the Law Office of Karen S. Brown today.