Huntington Beach Family Law Attorney

The Law Office of Kevin L Qualls

Disputes that fall under family law can be complex, emotionally charged, and have a lasting impact on your life. The decisions made during these proceedings can have life-long consequences, whether from divorce, child custody, visitation, or other legal concerns. Protecting your interests and those of your family should be your top priority, and you should not have to face this battle alone.

At the Law Office of Kevin L. Qualls, our Huntington Beach family law firm will work diligently to ensure our clients achieve the best possible outcome for their situation. We provide individualized attention and experienced representation to reach a resolution that will keep your life on track no matter how complex your family law case may be. We will not rest until we have done everything in our power to resolve your case, helping you alleviate both stress and anxiety. Whatever your family law needs, trust our skilled and compassionate team to help you get the best possible result.

What Family Law Issues Does the Law Office of Kevin L. Qualls Handle?

We stay up to date on the latest changes in family law and have the experience needed to help you across the board on family law issues, including:

  • Divorce. No matter the reason for your divorce, we will work diligently to help you finalize the process efficiently so you can move on with your life.
  • Child Custody and Visitation. We understand how important it is for you to maintain a relationship with your children. We will create a parenting plan that serves your children and allows you to be an active part of their lives.
  • Child Support. If you are owed child support or are required to pay child support, we can help ensure that the appropriate amount of support is both paid and received.
  • Spousal Support. We can help you determine whether spousal support should be paid and, if so, how much.
  • Property Division. We will help you fairly divide your assets and debts in an equitable way and advocate for you to keep what is most important to you.
  • Domestic Violence. If you are a victim of domestic violence, we can help you obtain a restraining order and take the necessary steps to keep you and your children safe.
  • Paternity. We can help you establish paternity if you are a father who wants to establish his rights or a mother who wants to ensure that the father of her child is legally identified and assumes his responsibilities.

This birds-eye view of family law issues is not meant to be exhaustive but merely illustrative of what cases our firm regularly handles. No matter what your family’s legal issue may be, we are here to help. Trust our compassionate and knowledgeable team with your family law concerns.

Child Support in Huntington Beach, CA

Child support is one of the most important aspects of any family law case involving minor children. The amount of child support paid has a significant impact on the quality of life both the children and the custodial parent can enjoy.

In California, child support is generally calculated using a formula that considers both parents’ income and the total amount of time the children spend with each parent. Child support aims to ensure that the children have the same standard of living in both households. Some important considerations in child support cases include:

  • The age of the children
  • The income of both parents
  • The amount of time the children spend with each parent
  • The cost of healthcare for the children
  • The cost of childcare
  • The cost of education

These factors can all give rise to a wide range of child support outcomes that are intended to be in the child’s best interest while staying fair to both parents.

Child Custody in Huntington Beach, CA Divorce

Child custody arrangements can be some of the most contentious aspects of any divorce or family law case. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but they often have very different ideas about what that entails. This reason alone is why many divorces can quickly become conflicted and emotional. Some possible child custody arrangements include:

  • Joint legal custody: Both parents have the right to make major decisions about the children’s welfare, such as education, healthcare, and religion.
  • Joint physical custody: The children spend equal time with both parents.
  • Sole legal custody: One parent has the right to make major decisions about the children’s welfare.
  • Sole physical custody: The children often live with one parent and visit the other parent according to a schedule.

The court will always finalize its custody determination based on what is in the best interests of the children. As long as one of the parents is not deemed unfit, the court will generally prefer joint custody arrangements. However, every family is unique, and the court will tailor its custody determination to each case’s specific facts and circumstances.

Spousal Support in Huntington Beach, CA

In a divorce or legal separation, the court may order one spouse to pay spousal support – also called alimony – to the other spouse. The actual amount and the time period of payments will be based on many factors, including:

  • The length of the marriage
  • The earning capacity of each spouse
  • The standard and quality of life enjoyed during the marriage
  • The age and health of each spouse
  • The needs of any minor children
  • The relative earning capacity of each spouse
  • The relative education of each spouse
  • The physical and emotional contribution of each spouse to the marriage
  • The potential tax consequences of the spousal support award

The court will also consider any other relevant factors when making its determination. Spousal support is typically paid on a pre-agreed upon monthly schedule but can also be paid in a lump sum or as a property settlement.

Property Division in Huntington Beach, CA

In a divorce or legal separation, all the couple’s assets and debts must be divided between them. This process is called “property division.” California is classified as a legal “community property” state, which means that all property and debt acquired during the tenure of marriage belongs to both spouses equally. However, some exceptions to this rule could provide some extra needed relief in specific areas.

The first step in officially dividing property is to determine which assets and debts are “community property” and which are “separate property.” Community property includes all income earned and property acquired during the marriage regardless of who is titled on the asset. Separate property includes everything acquired before marriage, as well as any gifts or inheritances received during the marriage.

Once the property has been officially labeled as either community or separate, it must then be valued. This is done by appraising the property, looking at tax records, or hiring a forensic accountant to trace the value of certain assets, such as businesses or investments.

After the property has been valued, it must then be divided between the spouses. This does not always mean the property will be sold and the proceeds split evenly. The court may decide that one spouse should get the house, for example, and the other spouse should get the retirement accounts. The court will always try to divide the property fairly and equitably for both spouses.

Domestic Violence in Huntington Beach, CA

Unfortunately, instances of traumatizing domestic violence are all too common in today’s society. If you are a victim of this abuse, it is important to know how to keep yourself safe and that you have legal options available to you.

The first step is to get a restraining order. A restraining order is a court order that requires the abuser to stay away from you and your family. It can also order anyone abusive to move out of your home, have no contact with you at work, and not come near your children’s school or daycare.

If the abuser violates the restraining order, they can be arrested and charged with a crime. In some cases, they are mandated to attend counseling or anger management classes. This is often required as a condition of probation.

These cases are extremely serious, as an ignored need for a restraining order can often lead to tragic consequences. If you have found yourself in a situation involving domestic violence, it is important to seek help as soon as possible to initiate getting a restraining order.

How Can a Huntington Beach Family Law Attorney Help Me?

You likely have many questions and concerns regardless of why you are coming to a family law attorney. For example, you may be wondering how your assets will be divided in a divorce, what child custody arrangement best suits your children, or how much spousal support to which you may be entitled. You may also be concerned about the impact a divorce will have on your children or what will happen to your relationship with them after the divorce.

A family law attorney can help you understand your rights and options under the law. They can also navigate the often-complex legal process and ensure your interests are protected at every stage. In some cases, a family law attorney can help you reach an agreement with your spouse without going to court. However, a family law attorney can also represent you in court if an agreement cannot be reached. This is especially important if your case involves complex issues or if you expect the divorce to be contested and will need to present evidence in court.

How Can I Tell If a Huntington Beach Family Law Attorney Is Right for Me?

When choosing a family law attorney, there are many factors to consider that can help you at any stage of your case. The following are some factors you may want to consider:

  • The attorney’s experience: You will want to choose an attorney who has experience handling cases like yours. Ask about the attorney’s experience with cases that involve children, high-asset property division, or spousal support, if those are factors in your case.
  • The attorney’s reputation: Take time to read online reviews and ask around to see what others have to say about the attorney. You can also ask the attorney if they have any sharable references from past clients.
  • The attorney’s communication style: You must feel comfortable communicating with your attorney. You should feel like you can ask them any question, no matter how small, and that they will take the time to answer you. You should also feel like the attorney is keeping you updated on the status of your case and is available to answer your questions promptly.
  • The attorney’s consultation process: Many family law attorneys offer free consultations. This is a great opportunity to meet with the attorney and get a feel for their personality and communication style. It is also an opportunity to ask the attorney questions about your case and get an idea of what to expect going forward.
  • The attorney’s fee: You will want to make sure you understand the attorney’s fee structure before hiring them. Some attorneys charge an hourly rate, while others charge a flat fee. Some attorneys also require a retainer, which is an upfront fee that is typically used to cover the cost of the attorney’s time and expenses. Be sure to ask about the fee structure during the consultation and get an estimate of what you can expect to pay in total. You don’t want to be surprised by a large bill later on, so do your best to understand the fee structure upfront.

Contact Our Law Firm for a Huntington Beach Family Law Attorney

If you are considering hiring a Huntington Beach family law attorney from the Law Office of Kevin L. Qualls, the best way to get started is to schedule a consultation. During a consultation, an attorney will get to know you and your case and will be able to answer any questions you have.

To schedule a consultation with one of our experienced family law attorneys, contact us today. We look forward to helping you through this difficult time and showing what makes our firm the best choice for your legal needs in Huntington Beach.