Orange County Family Law Attorneys
Family Law Attorney
When you need an experienced family law attorney, you need Wail Sarieh. At the Sarieh Family Law, located in Costa Mesa and Orange County, we find the innovative legal solutions that are best-suited to our clients’ specific needs. Throughout southern California, experienced family law attorney Wail Sarieh advocates on behalf of clients and their children in matters including divorce, separation, annulment, paternity, custody, and all other matters pertaining to family law.
What Clients are saying
Certified Family Law Specialist
Orange County Family Law Attorneys
There are few things more emotionally challenging than being served with divorce papers, especially when you are not expecting it. You may also be frightened at the prospect of losing custody of your children or making ends meet on your own. These are all legitimate concerns.
If you have been served divorce papers in Orange County, California, it is essential to take action quickly because you typically have a period of just 30 days to respond. Failure to act in a timely manner can compromise your legal rights. Having a skilled family lawyer available to answer all of your questions, offer legal advice and help you ensure the best possible resolution to your divorce case is essential.
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Domestic Violence in Orange County
How Can Domestic Violence Attorneys Help Me?
If domestic violence is present in a relationship, the partner that is being battered will need to do more than file for divorce or end the relationship. They will also need to engage in safety planning and looking into protection options before they leave their partner.
At Sarieh Family Law, we are ready to help you. We have represented clients in the past who have been victims of domestic violence and have been asked many questions about the subject. Below are some of the most common we have received:
- How can domestic violence attorneys help me?
- How can I obtain a DVRO to protect myself?
- What happens to a domestic violence offender when there’s a DVRO against them?
Filing for Divorce
If your relationship involves abuse, intimidation, or instability, you should first consult with an attorney and consider a personal safety plan.
Steps to take before filing for divorce
Divorce involves meticulous legal and financial preparation. Taking the right steps before you file can protect your assets, your children, and your future.
- Gather Documents: Collect at least 3 years of tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, credit card bills, mortgage documents, and retirement account statements. Make physical or digital copies and store them in a secure location outside the home.
- Run a Credit Report: Know exactly what debts are tied to your name or shared with your spouse.
- Build an Emergency Fund: Save liquid cash in a secure place to cover retainer fees, moving expenses, and living costs during the transition.
- Establish Separate Credit: Open a personal checking account and apply for an individual credit card so you have accessible funds independent of your spouse.
- Update Passwords: Change passwords and PINs for your personal email, online banking, and social media accounts. Set up two-factor authentication.
- Open a Private P.O. Box: To ensure your privacy and secure future mail, consider setting up a P.O. Box with the USPS Location Finder before documents start arriving.
- Secure Valuables: Make copies of important keys, secure sentimental items, and safely document shared valuables (e.g., taking photos of shared property).
- Draft a Parenting Plan: Courts make custody decisions based on the child’s best interests. Outline a proposed schedule regarding where the children will live, who handles school drop-offs, and holiday splits.
- Document Parenting Time: If you are the primary caregiver, keep a log of your daily childcare activities to establish an established routine.
- Do Not Move Out Prematurely: Consult an attorney before moving out of the family residence. Leaving abruptly can negatively impact your claim to the house or be seen as abandoning your family.
- Consult with a Professional: Even if you do not plan to file immediately, sit down with a family law attorney to understand your rights, timelines, and specific state laws. For local representation, search the California State Bar to find certified family law specialists in the Anaheim area.
- Seek Support: Divorce is emotionally exhausting. Lean on trusted family and friends, or consult with a therapist before making the final decision to
- International and Cross-Border Assets in an Orange County Divorce: Offshore Accounts and Foreign Real Estate Divorces involving international property present unique legal and financial challenges. High-net-worth couples in Orange County often hold diverse global assets, including commercial real estate in Asia, ancestral property in Mexico, private equity stakes in Europe, or bank accounts in Switzerland and the Middle East. Cross-border divorces in California require balancing two distinct legal principles: Mandatory Worldwide Disclosure: California law forces both spouses to disclose every single asset owned across the globe,… Read More
- Are Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Enforceable in California? Common Grounds for a Challenge A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is only as valuable as its ability to withstand a challenge in court. In California, family law judges set aside marital contracts far more often than many spouses expect. Agreements rarely fail because judges dislike prenups. Instead, they fail because California enforces strict technical rules during drafting and signing. A prenuptial agreement can be fair on its face, yet completely invalid if execution deadlines or… Read More
Family Law
What is Included in Family Law?
Family law can encompass a broad range of legal services that typically involve family relationships such as marriage and children. At Sarieh Family Law, we offer a variety of family law services to clients in Orange County and the surrounding areas, including divorce, child custody, child support, move-aways, division of assets, parentage, spousal support, and much more.
Due to the sensitive nature of family law cases, it is always advised to have a trusted legal professional on your side. This means you need a family lawyer who is not only compassionate to your needs but will also aggressively fight for the best interests of you and your children. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Attorney Wail Sarieh is the family lawyer you need. He will always work towards legal solutions that are best suited to the specific desires of you and your family.