Corte Madera, Marin County Divorce Attorneys: Skilled, Compassionate Representation
Divorce is the end product of a series of legal and emotional challenges that require support from those close to you as well as the support of a professional, experienced legal team. The decisions made during the separation and divorce process will have a significant long-term impact on your life and the life of your family. It is therefore crucial to obtain legal guidance from a Marin divorce attorney you can trust when considering divorce. If your spouse or partner has already filed, there is an added urgency to be proactive.
Personalized Service, Tenacious Advocacy
At the firm of Kaspar & Lugay LLP, our compassionate divorce lawyers in Marin County are devoted to helping you understand the nuances of each decision. From uncontested divorce cases to a highly contentious high net worth divorce, we provide counsel to help you make informed choices in order for your case to reach the outcome you deserve. For instance, our Marin County family lawyers have the experience to advise on the tax implications of property division and spousal support that can often go overlooked by less competent divorce attorneys.
Same-Sex Divorce In The Bay Area
The Obergefell v. Hodges decision provides same-sex married couples the right to legally divorce. For these couples, divorce may involve complicated issues related to community property division depending on the years of cohabitation prior to marriage and child custody and support matters . We have assisted same-sex clients in obtaining fair solutions.
Our client-centered approach puts top priority on the interests of our clients. We tailor our representation to meet the goals of each client. Families work directly with a knowledgeable attorney committed to solving their problems effectively and efficiently through negotiations or collaborative methods (ex. divorce mediation). When disputes cannot be resolved, we have the complex litigation experience to handle a case through trial and appeals.
Speak With A Trial-Proven Lawyer
We are well-versed in California’s divorce laws and take a holistic approach to solving legal problems. Prior to filing for divorce, or after learning a spouse or partner has already filed, contact us online or call one of our four offices to arrange a confidential consultation with a caring divorce lawyer.
The technical process for filing for a California divorce (also called dissolution of marriage) can be fairly straightforward from a procedural standpoint. The reality, though, is complicated by the human element: humans are emotional beings, and divorce often represents loss. Usually, this loss is felt more acutely by one party than the other. Because of this, there is often great turmoil and disagreement between the two parties when it comes time to finalize the divorce arrangement. If you’d like to know what is involved from a procedural standpoint, please review our Step-by-Step Divorce Process.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost
There are certain documents that must be properly and adequately filled out and filed within your jurisdiction. These hard fees typically range a few hundred dollars. Again, this is for a completely uncontested divorce, where both parties are in total alignment (in our experience, such cases are very rare). The pitfalls of a DIY divorce, or using inexpensive online form solutions include improperly completed forms, failure to follow procedures unique to a jurisdiction, or otherwise failing to follow the proper protocols. This tends to lengthen the divorce case, adding further frustration to an already stressful and draining process.
These issues are just the beginning, and the above assumes that there are no children involved, nor any assets acquired during the marriage. Once you begin to factor in custody arrangements, alimony, child support, division of assets and retirement accounts (the list goes on), the divorce process becomes significantly more complicated. It’s worth your time to consult with a qualified divorce attorney, even if you decide to finish the process yourself. A consultation will provide you clarity, guidance, and expectations for your unique situation.
Do I Have to Go To Court
Most of the parties we work with end up going to court at some point. In an ideal world, we’d be able to handle everything outside the courtroom and be free to open the next chapter of our lives. Again, where there are children or assets involved, this is where complications and conflicts arise. At Kaspar & Lugay, we do our best to bridge the gaps so you can proceed through your divorce with minimal impact to your life.
I Think My Spouse Has Been Hiding Assets. How Can I Be Sure
Sometimes it’s intentional, sometimes it’s not, but we often counsel parties whose spouses have hidden or been misleading about assets (secret bank accounts, closely-held businesses, undisclosed real estate and property, etc.). In these cases it is worth your while to leverage a forensic accountant (we at Kaspar & Lugay have extensive experience in this). This process will unveil any potential hidden assets that were not disclosed in the divorce conversation, and ensure both parties a fair allocation of assets.
Divorce in California takes a minimum of six months, but the process can take longer depending on the complexity of your case. We can help you anticipate timelines and avoid unnecessary delays.
Yes, many divorce terms — especially spousal or child support — can be modified if there’s been a substantial change. We can guide you through the process if a modification is needed.
Protecting your assets during a divorce — especially if you own a business, real estate, or significant investments — requires proactive legal strategy from the outset. Depending on your situation, this may involve tracing separate property, valuing complex assets accurately, negotiating strong settlement terms, or pursuing protective orders. The earlier you involve experienced legal counsel, the more options you have to shield what’s yours. At Kaspar & Lugay LLP, we specialize in high-net-worth divorce and can help you create a plan to protect your financial interests throughout the process.
If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, it’s critical to work with a legal team that knows how to uncover them through formal discovery, subpoenas, forensic accounting, and expert investigation. California law requires full financial disclosure, and deliberately concealing assets can have serious legal consequences. At Kaspar & Lugay LLP, we have the tools and experience to identify hidden income, offshore accounts, undervalued businesses, and other concealed property — and to ensure your rights are fully protected during divorce proceedings.
Most divorce-related legal fees are not deductible, though there may be exceptions depending on the nature of the expense. Our CPA-attorneys can help you determine what may apply in your case.
In some situations, a significant income increase could lead to a modification request. We can review your agreement and advise you on whether you may be affected.
In many cases, especially those that settle outside of litigation, your attorney can appear on your behalf for procedural matters. However, certain hearings — such as those involving testimony or contested issues — may require your presence. We do everything we can to minimize courtroom involvement where appropriate, and we’ll advise you when your participation is necessary.
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Whether You’re Considering a Pre-Nup, Or You’re Ready To Move On To Your Next Chapter, Our Family Law Attorneys Are Standing By, Ready To Assist You.
Need Help? Call your legal support team 24/7 at 415.789.5881
Kaspar & Lugay, LLP is a family law firm with offices in Corte Madera, CA; Napa, CA; Walnut Creek, CA; and San Diego, CA. We also represent clients in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Pismo Beach, Contra Costa County, and Los Angeles. Call us at 415-789-5881.
