DIVORCE, LEGAL SEPARATION, NULLITY OF MARRIAGE

The breakup of a family or relationship is never easy or without serious emotional and financial implications to both parties and their families.

Do not begin a divorce proceeding without first consulting with an attorney who's practice is devoted exclusively to family law.  Do not put your future, and the future of your children at risk in the hands of a "paralegal" or "document preparer."  They cannot give you legal advice!  The block checked or left unchecked on a legal document may seriously effect your rights far into the future.

Please!  If you are contemplating a separation or divorce from your spouse or partner, contact our office for a complementary consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding your particular situation.

ESTABLISHING PATERINITY

Unwed mothers or fathers!  Let the Law Offices of Michael D. Wilkins assist you in asserting your parental rights to parent your child!

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with establishing your parentage and gaining access to your child.

CHILD CUSTODY

There are two (2) distinct components regarding the custody of children: Legal Custody and Physical Custody.

Legal custody involves the health, safety, and welfare of your child(ren).

Physical custody involves the primary residence of the child(ren), along with a myriad of underlying considerations, including, but not limited to, day to day care and visitation with the non-custodial parent.

Each family, the parents, the child(ren), and sometimes the extended family are unique and subject to a unique set of circumstances.

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with your child(ren) and their particular situation.

VISITATION

Visitation between the non-custodial parent and the minor child(ren) is referred to by many labels.  Visitation, parental time share, custodial periods take on as many unique forms as there are parents and child(ren).

The Law Offices of Michael D. Wilkins are experts at crafting a schedule of contact between parents and children that is in the best interests of your child(ren).

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with your own visitation schedule.

CHILD SUPPORT

The question of how much child support you may be entitled to pay or receive is made up of a myriad of factors.

Child support in California is calculated with an algebraic formula known as the "guideline" amount.  Although the child support guideline formula is exact and unassailable, the factors used in setting "guideline" child support are unique in each situation and should be discussed with a lawyer trained, equipped, and well versed in their application to your case.

The Law Offices of Michael D. Wilkins are experts at ensuring that you are paying or receiving the proper amount of child support for your child(ren).

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with your child support concerns.

CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY DEFENSE

If your child support order was established or is being enforced by any state or local child support agency, you may be paying too much.  If you are receiving child support for your child(ren), you may be receiving too little.

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins for a current assessment of your particular child support level.

SPOUSAL SUPPORT (ALIMONY)

Spousal support or alimony as it is sometimes mis-termed is awarded for two (2) distinct purposes.

Temporary spousal support may be obtained by a financially disadvantaged spouse or partner in an amount designed by the California legislature to "maintain the status quo" of the parties pending a more permanent award.

Permanent spousal support is designed to assist a spouse or partner in attaining a fully self-supporting standing wherein they are able to maintain the lifestyle that they enjoyed during the marriage / partnership.

Both facets of spousal support are legally complex and require an expert in the field to successfully resolve.

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with a comprehensive personal analysis of your unique situation.

ENFORCEMENT OF ORDERS

Family law court orders or court approved stipulations or agreements in the nature of child support, spousal support, debt payment, division of property, or pension benefits may be enforced through various judicial methods.  Typical enforcement methods include, but are not limited to, wage assignments, garnishments, writs of execution, property transfers, security accounts, and in extreme circumstances, contempt of court actions which may lead to fines or jail time.

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with your own enforcement issues.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DO NOT BECOME OR CONTINUE TO BE A VICTIM, OR ALLOW YOUR CHILD(REN) TO BE VICTIMS OF CHILD, SPOUSAL, OR DOMESTIC PARTNER ABUSE.

GET OUT NOW!  CALL THE POLICE! GET YOUR CHILD(REN) TO SAFETY!

Then, contact the Law Offices of Michael D. Wilkins to discuss this most serious situation with an attorney experienced in such matters.

MODIFICATION OF ORDERS

Child custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support orders are made based upon the circumstances existing on the date of the order.

Lives change, living arrangements change, financial circumstances change, all since the date of the previous court orders.

Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding whether a modification of previous court orders may be appropriate in your unique situation and will work to you and your child(ren)'s benefit.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The laws in California regarding the establishment or termination of domestic partnerships, any child(ren) involved, whether such partnerships involve same or opposite gender partners, is rapidly and constantly changing.

The Law Offices of Michael D. Wilkins stays informed of the current state of the law. Please contact our office for a personal consultation with Mr. Wilkins regarding how we may assist you with your own partnership issues.

OTHER FAMILY LAW RELATED SERVICES

Grand Parent Rights

Guardianships

Step Parent Adoptions

Pre or Post Marital Planning

Divorce Judgment Omitted Assets