Westlake Village
Divorce Attorney
Knowledgeable, Personal and Professional Legal Services for Over 40 Years
The Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch
Get a Free Consultation Today
How Can a California Divorce and Family Law Attorney Help You
A legal issue impacting your family can be challenging and emotional. Whether you are going through a divorce or need help with another family matter, an experienced Westlake Village divorce lawyer or mediator can assist you in finding a solution to your legal problems, allowing you to move forward.
HappyCLIENTS
You need someone can rely on
There is no such thing as an easy divorce or a simple child custody battle. However, there are easier ways to resolve family law disputes than contested litigation.
It would help to have someone you could rely on for sound advice, compassionate support, and the skilled Westlake Village divorce attorney necessary during this difficult time.Β My firm partner, Stephanie Rose OβConnor, and I, Ronald K. Stitch, represent clients in various family law issues in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. We can help you through a legal separation or divorce. We can assist with other family law matters likeΒ spousal support,Β child support,Β child custodyΒ disputes, paternity, premarital agreements, stepparent adoptions, division of retirement accounts, and post-judgment modifications.
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We are a family law attorney and an experienced mediator. We strongly believe that family law mediation is a superior option for most individuals who face divorce or other family law disputes.
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Represent You
We are a Certified California Family Law Specialist and Knowledgeable Mediator
The team at The Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch comprises highly experienced and trusted divorce attorneys in Westlake Village who can help you navigate the legal systemβs complications. As certified California Family Law Specialists, they have the knowledge and skills to guide you through divorce, child custody disputes, and other family-related legal matters with compassion and professionalism.
Suppose you require assistance with child custody arrangements, legal guidance on any other family law matter, or representation in a divorce proceeding. Our team of professionals can provide you with the advice and support you need.
If mediation is not right for you, I can provide the experienced legal representation you require. Regardless of how you want to handle your family law matter, you will have a strong advocate on your side.
Mediation VS Divorce
Westlake Village Mediation Attorney Explains Critical Points
What is mediation used for?
Mediation can be helpful when resolving such family law issues as:
DivorceChild custodyParenting timePost-divorce disputes
Those are merely a few examples. Consult with an expert at our mediation law firm serving Westlake Village, Los Angeles, and Ventura County to learn if a mediator can assist you with your family law needs.
Mediation can be particularly valuable when you and your spouse are getting a divorce. Consider the following points:
Mediation Can Save Money
There is no official answer to the question, βHow much does it cost to get a divorce in California?β However, research indicates that the average cost is about $17,500.
Many factors can influence the cost of divorce, the duration of the process being a particularly noteworthy example.
Generally, the more time it takes to finalize a divorce, the more money you will need to spend. This is one of many reasons it is wise to enlist the help of a Westlake Village and Ventura County mediation attorney when ending a marriage.
Mediation aims to help divorcing spouses reach amicable agreements on contentious matters more quickly and efficiently than they otherwise might. Allowing a mediator to help you and your soon-to-be ex address various disputes in these circumstances could save money and avoid significant frustrations.
Preserving an Amicable Relationship
Is remaining on generally friendly terms with your spouse despite your marriage ending in divorce among your priorities? There are many reasons you may feel this way.
Perhaps you and your spouse have realized that you still wish to be friends while you cannot sustain a healthy marriage. Achieving this goal can prove difficult if you fight back and forth over numerous issues when getting a divorce.
Additionally, if you have children, you might want to stay on good terms with your spouse to minimize the stress and pain your kids will experience while your marriage ends.
Again, a mediation attorney can help you and your spouse come together in agreement on critical issues instead of allowing emotionally fraught disputes to be drawn out. Working with one may prevent you and your spouse from becoming enemies throughout the divorce process. This will also guard against long-term resentment.
Staying in Control
In California, when two spouses getting a divorce cannot agree on various issues, the court often addresses these issues for them.
If a judge makes these decisions for you and your spouse, your ability to exercise control in many critical areas of your life, such as how often you see your children, will be minimal. Luckily, through the mediation process, you can have more input, improving your chances of arriving at a fair outcome for all parties when your divorce is finalized.
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Custody decisions can profoundly affect the lives of children and their parents. Courts must ensure that any custody arrangement serves the child's best interests. Various factors are evaluated to determine a decision prioritizing ...
Frequent Divorce Disputes and Tips for Avoiding Conflict
Divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences in a personβs life, often filled with emotional turmoil and conflict. While disagreements are natural during this process, understanding common disputes can help individuals ...
The Importance of Documentation in Family Law Cases: Tips from an Attorney
In family law, meticulous documentation can be the cornerstone of a successful case. Whether youβre navigating divorce, child custody disputes, or property settlements, the accuracy and thoroughness of your documentation can sign...
FAQs
While handling a divorce alone may seem budget-friendly, it often leads to costly mistakes. While collaborative divorces might work without lawyers, unresolved issuesβlike property division, child custody, or spousal supportβtypically require legal guidance. A lawyer is essential for complex matters like abuse allegations or hidden assets.
With an attorney, youβre protected from filing errors and missed deadlines, and you gain a clearer understanding of the process. If your spouse has a lawyer and you donβt, the risk of an unfavorable outcome is high, making legal support crucial.
To get a divorce, itβs best to work with an experienced family law attorney specializing in divorce and related issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support. A lawyer who knows California family law well and has experience with both contested and uncontested divorces can guide and support you during the process. The Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, a reliable divorce lawyer in Westlake Village, can help protect your rights every step of the way.
In Illinois, each spouse usually pays their divorce attorney fees. However, in some instances, the court can require one spouse to pay some or all of the other spouseβs fees. This often happens when one spouse has much less money than the other. For example, if one spouse earns very little, the court may order the higher-earning spouse to pay some or all legal costs.
Additionally, if one party has unnecessarily prolonged the divorce process, the court might order them to pay the otherβs attorney fees. Each case is unique, so itβs best to consult a divorce attorney to understand how fees may be handled.
In California, a husband may be required to pay his wifeβs attorney fees in a divorce under certain conditions. California family law ensures that both spouses have equal access to legal representation, especially when one spouse has a higher income or more financial resources than the other. Courts may order the higher-earning spouse to cover some or all legal fees to level the playing field.
Along with questions you may have that are specific to your case, questions to consider asking a divorce attorney during your initial consultation include the following:
What is your experience handling cases like mine?
Although an attorney may not be able to share specific details about past cases due to confidentiality issues, you want the peace of mind from knowing they have experience working with clients.
How do you typically handle cases similar to mine?
A qualified attorney will tailor their strategy to your specific case and goals. That said, they can give you a general idea of potential strategies during a consultation.
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
The best way to learn about realistic potential case outcomes is to discuss this issue with a lawyer during a case review.
How do you keep clients informed about the progress of their cases?
You donβt have to stress and worry about the outcome of your case when it has yet to be resolved. Ensure your lawyer is available to update you on its progress.
If you need assistance with a family law issue in Westlake Village, Los Angeles, or Ventura County, we at The Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch are here to help. Remember, we offer mediation services whenever applicable, allowing you to resolve these matters with minimal conflict.
