Family Law Attorney
(424) 500-2983
evan@playavistafamilylawattorney.com
Family Law Attorney
(424) 500-2983
evan@playavistafamilylawattorney.com
COVID-19 / Coronavirus Update: Law Offices of Evan Braunstein are currently open and available for domestic violence restraining orders, ex-parte applications, contempt proceedings where custody is at issue, divorce, and other family law services. Click here for updated information
The Law Offices of Evan Braunstein is a family law firm with offices in Playa Vista and Century City. We provide focused legal representation tailored to your specific needs and situation in family law areas including divorce, premarital and postmarital agreements, custody, support, paternity, and division of property, and modification of judgments.
Going through a divorce may be one of the hardest things that you ever have to do in your life. The process can be long, emotional, and may end in a divorce judgment that doesn’t meet your best interests. At the Law Offices of Evan Braunstein, our Playa Vista, CA divorce attorney is focused on providing competent legal representation for individuals and families going through divorce. Our law firm is able to advise and represent you in all legal matters related to divorce, including premarital and postmarital agreements, child custody, spousal support, child support, paternity, division of property, and modification of a post-divorce judgment.
Los Angeles County Court
Status as of 5/18/2020
On May 6, 2020 the Los Angeles County Court launched a new tool for online dispute resolution (ODR) on the Modria platform to help parents resolve child custody disputes without going to court. This announcement states in part, “Effective May 18, an attorney, or a parent who is self-represented or represented by an attorney, may initiate a negotiation invitation through the ODR program. The other party will then receive an email invite to participate. The other parent or attorney then has the option to provide a response. Once the parents agree on a plan, the ODR tool will generate a Parenting Plan Agreement, which the parents may file with the court via fax, U.S. mail or drop box outside the courthouse. If accepted, the plan becomes the order of the court.” For those unable to resolve the issues using the ODR program, they will be required to attend a Family Court Services mediation appointment at a future date.
On May 13, 2020 the Los Angeles County Court presiding Judge announced that all courts would remain closed until June 10, 2020 except for time sensitive essential functions, however, for courthouses that have been closed, the clerks office will not reopen until June 15, 2020 and hearings for all courthouses will not resume until June 22, 2020. This means that if you have a hearing scheduled prior to June 22, 2020, it will be continued. For now, documents at Stanley Mosk are still able to be filed by mail, fax, or via the drop boxes located at court entrances.
Upon reopening, with limited exceptions, face coverings will need to be worn by all judicial officers, employees, and all court visitors. Social distancing will be enforced, hand sanitizer and wipes will be provided at all entrances and high traffic areas, and there will be enhanced disinfectant cleaning of all areas such as restrooms, elevators, courtrooms, clerks offices etc.
For the most up to date information, please visit here.
One of the most pressing issues that parties in a divorce will need to make a decision about is how property will be divided between the couple. In many cases, couples maintain an amicable enough relationship throughout the divorce process that they are able to reach a property division agreement on their own, through mediation or negotiation, without the intervention of the court. When an out of court agreement cannot be reached, however, the court will issue a property decision based on California law. Keep in mind that California is a community property state, which means that all property and debts are owned by both spouses, and must be divided equitably at the termination of the marriage as such.
Typically, even more emotional than how property will be divided is coming to an agreement about where a child will live. Both parents may want the have full custody of the child, or may be in disagreement about how much time a child should spend with the other parent, how holidays and weekends will be split, where the child will spend summer break, and the like.
Just like a division of property arrangement, parents can--and are encouraged to--reach a child custody agreement out of court. Parents may agree to share or split the legal or physical custody of a child depending upon the circumstances.
When parents cannot reach an agreement about child custody, the court will be responsible for deciding each parent’s custody and visitation rights. When making this decision, the court must consider the best interests of the child. In order to determine the child’s best interests, the court will consider:
The parent who does not have physical custody of the child will be obligated to make a child support payment. Child support is based on California child support guidelines.
How property will be divided and with whom a child will spend their time may be two of the most pressing issues in a divorce, but they are by no means the only important things that a divorcing couple must face. Other important issues that our law firm can help you to understand and resolve include:
At the Law Offices of Evan Braunstein, we care about you. Our talented Playa Vista divorce attorney can help you to file for divorce, and reach a resolution regarding issues in your divorce. We work on on a fixed fee basis, which allows us to help you within the parameters of a reasonable payment structure. We work efficiently, and always prioritize professionalism.
The Playa Vista office is located in the Playa Jefferson Complex on Jefferson Boulevard in Playa Vista.
