Family Law

At Herreman Law Firm, we practice Family Law, or the area of law that deals with family matters, family related matters, and domestic issues. We have decades of experience as attorneys and a history of successful cases that we've worked on over the years. We draw on this experience every day in order to represent each client to the highest degree of professionalism and legal standards. Our goal is to produce the best outcome possible.

Types of Family Law

When you need a Family Law Attorney in Riverside, we want you to know that we are here and we're ready to represent you. Our experience with Family Law covers the following areas and more:

• Divorce
• Annulment
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Spousal Support and Alimony
• Visitation
• Paternity Fraud
• Military Divorce or Divorce While in Military
• Domestic Violence
• Parental Rights
• Grandparent Rights
• Fathers' Rights
• Mothers' Rights

When is a Family Lawyer Necessary?

We know that people who need a Family Law Attorney are going through a stressful time in their lives. It's important to hire an attorney who has experience in this field of law, in order to eliminate much of the stress of dealing with courts, judges, other attorneys, and the legal system in general.

When people have family issues that they cannot resolve on their own, they often have to turn to the legal system for resolution. For instance, a married man and women find themselves arguing all the time, and cannot move forward in their lives together or as individuals. After seeking marriage counseling they find they are still not happy. At this point it is often best to seek legal counsel from a Riverside divorce attorney who practices Family Law, in order to resolve the situation through divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage.

Getting a divorce often means that child support issues and visitation rights must be determined by a judge. There may be spousal support considerations. There are certain Mothers' Rights and Fathers' Rights issues that must be considered and even fought for.

In order to insure proper legal representation, and a better chance of a more favorable outcome, an experienced Family Law Attorney should be hired. To do otherwise is to leave yourself open to being taken advantage of, or to receiving a less than fair outcome.

This is where Herreman Law Firm comes in. We have been very successful representing clients in these and similar matters in the California area for decades.

Riverside Family Law Attorneys

Our Riverside Family law attorneys have a strong background in representing family law clients, and work tirelessly on our clients' cases, in an effort to win and to get the most fair and best outcome for our clients. When choosing a lawyer to represent you, it's best to always choose an experienced, successful, and compassionate team - like the lawyers and support team at Herreman.

If you're having issues that require a Family Lawyer in the Riverside area, or anywhere in the Inland Empire, we invite you to contact us using one of the many contact forms on this site. You may also call us on our toll-free or local phone numbers. Our initial consultation is free. We'd like to get to know you and about your case, and we'd like to give you a chance to get to know us as well. After the consultation you'll have a better understanding of California Divorce Laws and how they affect you. You'll also have an understanding of the best way to proceed.

Child Support

As any Child Support Lawyer in Riverside will confirm, child support is one of the most important parts of any family law case where children are involved.  

Determining child support amounts is based on a set of guidelines that were established to be determined by either the state legislature or by court rule. A federal law mandates states to set guidelines for determining child support. The federal government enacted this law because they thought child support amount were too low and there was too much variation in similar circumstances, so they required these guidelines to be set at the state level.

Guidelines are formulas that determine how much child support should be paid based on the parents income, number of children and some other factors. The guidelines apply equally to children born to married parents and to children born out of wedlock.

It is possible to argue a case that a court should order more or less support than what the guidelines state - especially if there are special circumstances. That's where having an experienced child support lawyer on your side can help you to achieve a more favorable determination or outcome.

Child Support Lawyers in Riverside, CA

If you're fighting a child support battle with your ex-spouse, or you're just starting a divorce procedure, you'll want to have an experienced team to rely on. An experienced team will not only increase the chances of an outcome in your favor, but will also understand and avoid costly mistakes and pitfalls that can lead to you spending more money than what is required or necessary.

Federal Guidelines on Support

The guidelines that the federal government implemented had the following affect: child support payments increased by approximately 50 percent. Support payments became much more uniform than they were before guidelines were passed.

Guidelines try to approximate the proportion of parental income that would have been spent supporting a child if the family had not been divided by divorce. Courts plug numbers into the formula and come up with an amount of support that should be paid for the child or children. But again, it is not mandatory for a judge to adhere to these guidelines exactly.

Paying Too Much Child Support

If you feel like you're paying too much child support, you very well may be doing so. We've seen it many times, and have represented people just like you to get their child support payments lowered.

Having Trouble Collecting Payments

Sometimes the spouse that is required to pay does not live up to their part of the agreement. We've handled many cases like this for our clients as well. We know what it takes to get the offending spouse back on track and living up to their obligations.

Enforcing the obligation to pay child support is a national priority. Federal legislation and state laws exist to make enforcement and collection of child support easier. Each state has particular guidelines for establishing child support and there are various methods to recover the support you are owed. If you are ending a marriage, are already divorced, or are trying to hold your child's other parent legally responsible, it is important to consult with a family law attorney, such as the attorneys at Herreman Law Firm in Riverside, CA.

Contact a Child Support Lawyer in Riverside

If you have any of the child support issues mentioned above, or similar issues not mentioned, you'll want to hire a lawyer who specializes in child support as soon as possible.

The lawyers and staff, at Herreman Law Firm are dedicated and determined to help you get the best outcome for your case. Put our decades of experience and history of positive outcomes to work for you. Call us today or contact us now using one of our contact forms found on our site.

Child Custody

Child Custody is a right, duty, and privilege of a parent or guardian to take care of a child on a daily or scheduled basis. The parent or guardian who has legal custody of a child has the right to make major decisions about and for a child. In a divorce, the custody of a child can be agreed upon, set by the local laws, or by determined by a judge. 

Seeking the assistance of an experienced and qualified Child Custody Attorney in Riverside CA for help in your child custody hearing or case is a smart way to help assure that you'll receive a fair or favorable outcome. To do otherwise is to leave things to chance. We think you'll agree, when it comes to your children, their best interest is a primary concern.

Sole Custody

In a sole custody arrangement one parent receives the right to custody of the child. This parent, usually called the custodial parent, maintains the right to make major decisions about the child. The other parent, usually called the noncustodial parent, has limited rights to custody of the child. This means the right to daytime visits, overnight visits, and vacations together.

Joint Custody

In a joint custody arrangement both parents share equally in making decisions about the child or children. The child may live with both parents or stay with one most of the time, based on agreements of the parents. This usually works out better when both parents are on good talking terms - as least as far as the children are concerned.

Child Custody in Riverside CA

Generally speaking, most divorcing spouses are able to agree on the custody of their child or children before going to court.

When the parents can't decide themselves on the custody of the children, the court will decide for them according to what they believe to be "the best interest of the child." This determination involves consideration of many factors, which are generally listed in the State's Family Law or Domestic Law statutes as well as described in the decisions of the courts.

Child Custody Attorney in Riverside CA

Many Riverside persons who are going through a divorce have children. It's often a mistake to go to court without seeking the counsel of an attorney who understands and has experience as a child custody attorney in Riverside CA. Doing so can leave one open to unwanted and costly surprises.

If you're seeking an experienced lawyer in Riverside who understands the law and how it relates to custody and support, Herreman Law Firm welcomes you to sit with us in a free consultation about your case to find out what you can expect from the legal system in Riverside California.

We are able and very capable of representing you in your legal case, so that you have a better chance of receiving a fair and favorable outcome on your child custody decisions. We can also help with support issues as we are also experienced Child Support Lawyers in Riverside. Our experienced and helpful lawyers and staff would like to see to it that you get the results you're hoping for.

Give us a call today at out local or toll-free number, or use one of the many contact forms on this site to get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

Spousal Support

If you're in need of a Spousal Support Lawyer in Riverside, CA, rest assured that Herreman Law Firm has the experience required to represent you. Having handled many spousal support, or alimony cases over the years, gives us the edge we need in order to represent you in a way that can help assure an outcome that is desirable and favorable.

About Spousal Support in California

Spousal Support, aslo known as Alimony refers to court support payments from one spouse to another spouse, after a divorce or separation. Some states use the term alimony; other states use the terms maintenance or spousal support; all mean the same thing.

The overwhelming majority of all spousal support awards are from the husband to the wife. However in certain circumstances (for instance a husband takes care of the children while the wife works outside the home), payments from the wife to the husband can be ordered instead.

There are several types of spousal support, each of which is designed to meet particular needs:

Temporary Spousal Support (pendente lite) - This type of support is made when a couple is separated or still in divorce proceedings, but they are not yet divorced.  This can include payment for daily expenses, divorce costs, and other expenses, and continues until the court determines a permanent spousal support payment. 

Permanent Spousal Support - This type of support is what most people think of when they refer to alimony  or spousal support payments.  It is the amount awarded to a spouse after divorce proceedings. It is paid on a regular, recurring basis.  Permanent spousal support or permanent alimony is usually due indefinitely. But it is often subject to change under certain circumstances, such as remarriage or cohabitation.

Rehabilitative Spousal Support - In certain situation where one spouse needs help to get back in their feet, get a job, or learn a skill, a judge may determine that financial support is needed for a short period of time. This is usually ordered only for a fixed period of time.

Reimbursement Spousal Support - This type of support or alimony allows for a payback of any support provided for higher education or work training by one ex-spouse. It requires payments to be made to reimburse the sponsoring ex-spouse for the tuition costs, or a portion of those costs that have been paid.

Lump-sum Personal Support (alimony in gross) - In cases where an ex-spouse does not want any property or items of value from the marriage assets, the judge may order a one-time lump-sum payment in lieu of property.

Paying Too Much Spousal Support

Many people feel they are paying too much alimony or support to an ex-spouse for various reasons. If you've been through a divorce and you feel you're currently paying too much, legal representation may be necessary to get your payments down. Contact Herreman Law Firm to find out how we can help.

Not Receiving Enough Spousal Support

Perhaps for some reason you have not been awarded enough alimony based on your circumstances and how much your ex-spouse is making. It is possible to have your case heard by a judge, and receive more monthly spousal support payments. Contact the Spousal Support Lawyers at Herreman Law Firm for a consultation. There is no fee or obligation for this consultation.

Hire a Spousal Support Lawyer in Riverside, CA

At Herreman Law Firm, we are very secure in the knowledge that we can handle your case in the most professional manner. We have decades of experience handling cases very similar to yours. Our lawyers and office staff are extremely dedicated to getting positive results and to making your experience as positive and stress free as possible. Come in for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you with your Spousal Support case, or any time you need a Divorce Lawyer in Riverside.