Family Lawyers in Costa Mesa, CA

Families facing challenging situations involving family law matters like divorce and child custody are often experiencing intense emotional struggles and high stakes. These cases require an attorney with compassion and expertise, and the Sarieh Law Office is a trusted source of family law representation in Costa Mesa, California. Wail Sarieh is a Certified Family Law Specialist, and he uses his expert designation to protect his clients’ interests and help them reach a favorable solution to their family law matters.

There are numerous options for navigating family law cases involving property distribution, custody, and support, including litigation and mediation. Spouses and co-parents who are willing to be flexible and negotiate terms may benefit from mediation, which typically gives both parties more control over the outcome of their case. However, sometimes, court involvement and litigation are unavoidable.

No matter the method used in your case, the family law attorneys at Sarieh Law Offices will be there to support you every step of the way. Whether a peaceful and cooperative resolution is possible or highly contentious court battles are on the horizon, our legal team has the experience and targeted knowledge to help.

Types of Cases We Handle at Sarieh Law Offices

Wail Sarieh specializes in family law cases, and our legal team handles a wide range of matters that deeply affect families and children in Costa Mesa, California. If you have a pending case or potential issue involving any of the following, contact us for representation:

Child custody and visitation
Divorce
Annulment
Child support
Alimony and spousal support
Legal separation
Mediation
Paternity testing
Marital agreements
Guardianship
Grandparents’ rights
Termination of parental rights
Restraining orders and domestic violence

We provide aggressive yet compassionate representation that families in Costa Mesa can trust.

Hourly Rates for Family Lawyers in California

The cost associated with high-quality legal counsel can seem like an obstacle for many California families. The fee for family lawyers varies significantly from law office to law office, and it may change based on the complexity of each case. At Sarieh Law Office, we offer free case evaluations, which gives you a risk-free way to find out what the hourly costs are for you.

What is a Family Lawyer’s Fee Based On?

Hourly fees for family lawyers in Costa Mesa are based on a variety of factors, many of which also impact the quality of representation you’ll receive from that attorney. Rates are typically based on:

The family law attorney’s experience
The complexity of the case
Specializations and expertise in an area of law
The firm’s fee structure

Average Cost of Divorce in California

The costs associated with divorce in California vary too widely to place an accurate average on the total expense. Some simple and amicable divorces can cost only a few hundred dollars, while the costs can easily climb into the tens of thousands of dollars when divorces are highly contentious or involve complex assets.

In addition to the attorney’s fees, divorce cases also include other costs that add to the total. Depending on the complexity of the divorce, these fees and costs can include:

Filing fees
Process server costs
Expert witness fees
Document production fees associated with subpoenas
Copying costs for trial exhibits
Mediator fees

Despite the potential for costs to add up in divorce cases, the risks associated with not having trusted and skilled legal representation are much higher. When you want your interests protected, contact the Sarieh Law Office. We handle divorce cases with the care, compassion, and commitment they deserve. We also represent mothers and fathers fighting for their parental rights in Costa Mesa.

Understanding Legal Parental Rights in California

If you are the legal parent of your child, you have certain rights and obligations under California law. These include:

The right to seek custody and visitation
The responsibility to support your child financially
The right to make important decisions regarding education, healthcare, activities, and religion
The obligation to pay or the right to receive child support

These rights and requirements are dictated by your situation and the best interest of your child. Judges in California base their custody, visitation, and support decisions on what is in the child’s best interest, and they evaluate a number of factors to determine this, including:

The age and health of the child
The ability of each parent to take care of the child
The child’s emotional connection to both parents
History of family violence
Substance abuse by either parent

Contact Wail Sarieh, our Certified Family Law Specialist, to discuss the factors that may impact your custody and visitation.

Age at Which a Child Can Choose Their Custodial Parent in California

Children are not typically capable of making informed, responsible decisions about issues involving custody and visitation, which is why a child’s opinion on which parent they should live with is not usually taken into consideration. However, depending on the child’s age and maturity level, their preference may be factored into the judge’s decision. There is no set age at which a child’s opinion on this will be considered; the focus is on their maturity and intelligence. With that said, many judges will factor a child’s decision into their ruling once they reach age 14.

If you believe your younger child is mature and intelligent enough that their preference should be considered, or if you feel your teenager is not yet capable of making responsible decisions regarding custody and visitation, consult with a family law attorney at Sarieh Law Office. We can help you navigate the complex issues involved in custody and visitation cases in Costa Mesa, CA.

Providing Compassionate, Aggressive, and Trustworthy Representation in Family Law Cases

At Sarieh Law Office, we are prepared to help you craft an agreement with your spouse or co-parent or take legal action if reasonable negotiations fall through. Wail Sarieh specializes in family law matters in California, and his expert guidance and extensive experience will make a significant difference in your family law case.