San Mateo Family Lawyer

San Mateo Family Attorney

Family law cases often bring with them financial and emotional challenges. Having a San Mateo family lawyer can help you combat these roadblocks and navigate the complex legal processes often involved in these types of cases.

TDC Family Law has decades of experience working on unique family law cases throughout California. Our team, led by Certified Family Law Specialist Tracy Duell-Cazes, can work alongside you to understand your goals and to help you work toward a positive outcome for your case.

Areas of Practice in Family Law

A San Mateo family lawyer can handle a variety of cases involving different practice areas, so it’s important to find one whose services resonate with your needs. At TDC Family Law, we help our clients through unique situations in many different areas of practice.

These include:

• Child custody
• Child support
• Divorce
• Spousal support
• Visitation

Child Custody

In the state of California, it is possible for one parent to have full custody of a child or for both parents to share custody. Custody determines where the child or children will live, as well as who can make legal decisions on behalf of them.

A compassionate family lawyer can help you work through all your concerns regarding custody and develop a parenting plan as a parent coordinator that leads to a healthy decision for both the parents and the children involved in the case.

Child Support

If one parent is awarded custody of a child and realizes they require financial support from the other parent after the divorce has been finalized, they can file for child support to split the costs of raising the child or children between both parents. By working with a San Mateo family lawyer, you can better navigate this often contentious and complicated process.

Divorce

Navigating the emotional, financial, and legal complexities of a divorce can be overwhelming to everyone involved. Our skilled legal team understands the nuances of divorce cases in California, and we are committed to making the process as smooth as possible from start to finish.

Spousal Support

In some divorce cases, a spouse may need financial support from the other spouse. A family lawyer can help you understand if you are eligible for spousal support and how to file for it to ensure your needs are covered, and your rights are protected.

Visitation

In divorce cases where one parent is granted full custody over a child, the other parent is usually granted visitation rights. Depending on the situation, deciding the terms of a parent’s visitation rights can be a complicated and stressful ordeal. Your family lawyer can help you make a parenting plan that focuses primarily on the child’s well-being.

Benefits of Working With a Family Law Specialist in San Mateo

TDC Family Law is proud to have not just an esteemed family lawyer but also a Certified Family Law Specialist. This term refers to a family lawyer who has the proper certifications to handle more complex cases.

To become a family law specialist, an attorney must:

• Be in practice for at least five years straight, with one-quarter of that time in family law
• Complete their education to become a family lawyer and additional education after the bar
• Pass a family law exam
• Prove their skill through positive results from past family law cases
• Receive positive evaluations from judges and their fellow lawyers

With these extra requirements in place, a family law specialist is able to enhance their knowledge and training in family law, making them an even more reliable choice when it comes time to find a San Mateo family lawyer.

Family Lawyer FAQs

Q: How Much Does a San Mateo Family Lawyer Cost?

A: The cost of hiring a San Mateo family lawyer in California can vary based on many different factors. Some of the most prominent factors that impact the overall cost of your family lawyer include the case’s complexity, the lawyer’s experience, and their method of payment. Other factors that could affect cost are whether or not the case goes to court or requires expert testimony.

Some attorneys may charge by the hour, while others have a fixed fee or take retainers. In most cases, lawyers can work with you to create a plan that fits your budget.

Q: How Many Years Do I Have to Be Married to Get Alimony in California?

A: You do not have to be married for a minimum number of years in order to receive alimony, also known as spousal support, in the state of California. For a marriage that lasted under ten years, payments will usually last half as long. If it was longer than ten years, there would be no time limit for payments. A judge typically orders the amount of support that a spouse has to pay, which will be calculated in private proceedings by considering many factors.

Q: How Do I Get Copies of Documents from My Family Law Case File?

A: You can receive copies of documents pertaining to your family law case by requesting them from the court in San Mateo, where you filed. You can typically complete this request by mail or in person. You can complete the request online as well. Depending on your reason for needing a copy, you may need to request a certified copy instead of a standard one.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Divorce Lawyer and a Family Lawyer?

A: Divorce lawyers and family lawyers are often thought to be the same thing, and this is partially true. A divorce lawyer is a family lawyer who focuses on divorce law. Family lawyers, in general, practice a variety of areas of law, including child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, visitation, and more.

Contact a Skilled San Mateo Family Lawyer at TDC Family Law

When you choose TDC Family Law to assist with your case, you are not simply choosing an experienced family lawyer; you’re choosing a Certified Family Law Specialist. You can count on Tracy Duell-Cazes to treat your case with the care and compassion it deserves while focusing on achieving all of your goals.

Reach out to our office to learn more about how our legal team can assist you with your case.