San Diego Family Law Attorney
Do You Need a Proven San Diego Family Law Lawyer?
Family law is a field of law that focuses on issues that impact families, including divorce and separation, custody, child support, and domestic disputes. At Mattis Law, A.P.C., our practice exclusively focuses on family law, providing strategic representation to clients throughout San Diego.
Amelia Mattis understands that each family is unique; that’s why we tailor our approach to meet your specific needs and goals. We are committed to guiding you through the legal process with clarity and support, ensuring that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Why Choose Us Over Other Family Law Lawyers in San Diego?
Amelia Mattis stands out in the San Diego legal community for her dedication to excellence and client satisfaction. Her accolades reflect our firm’s commitment to providing top-tier legal services:
Speak With Our Trusted Family Law Attorney Today
Family law issues can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face them alone. At Mattis Law, A.P.C., we’re here to provide the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Contact us today at (858) 328-4400 or schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case. We’re ready to help you find the best path forward for you and your family.
About Our Firm Founder & Lead Attorney
Amelia Jane Mattis (Bar Number: 299801) is the founder and managing attorney of Mattis Law, A.P.C. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego, graduating summa cum laude and then earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where she also graduated cum laude.
Since her admission to the California State Bar in 2014, Amelia has dedicated her practice to family law. Her experience includes successfully litigating trials involving child custody, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Not to mention that her commitment to client advocacy and her strategic approach have also earned her recognition within the legal community and among her clients.
Areas of Family Law
Family law is a broad category that covers a wide array of situations and legal topics. Family law attorneys provide assistance with the following:
- Alimony, spousal support, or domestic support refers to court-ordered monthly payments from one former spouse or domestic partner to another to help cover expenses. The amount of spousal support awarded and the length of time that it will be provided are decided by a judge. Factors considered when determining the structure of alimony arrangements include the paying spouse’s financial resources, the extent to which one spouse helped the other advance their career and education, the receiving spouse’s ability to find employment, the length of the marriage, and the age and health of the spouses.
- Annulments. This is when a judge rules in a court order that a marriage or domestic partnership was never legally valid because there was something wrong with the relationship from the start. Reasons for nullification include: a spouse was already married, a spouse was not legally old enough to get married, a spouse used fraud or trickery to encourage the other partner to get married, the male spouse was impotent, or one spouse was forced to get married.
- Domestic violence may impact divorce and custody proceedings. The following types of behavior may lead to charges of domestic abuse: molesting, sexually assaulting, battering, harassing, unwanted calls or contact, destroying property, and disturbing the peace.
- Name changes. When deciding to get a divorce, a spouse may wish to restore the name they had before getting married. You don’t have to wait until the divorce is finalized to do this. You can also change the name of a minor child, but the other parent must be notified by a third party regarding the name change in advance. If the victim of domestic violence wishes to change their name secretly, it can be done using the California Safe Home program.
- Prenuptial agreements. This is a written legal contract entered into by a couple before they get married that covers the distribution of property, debts, income, divorce, separation, and other issues that may arise. A prenuptial agreement must be voluntarily entered into, and each party must provide full disclosure regarding property and financial obligations. Different lawyers must represent the two parties. A prenuptial agreement does not supersede a child’s right to support or terms of custody if the couple later chooses to divorce.
- Postnuptial agreements. This is a written legal agreement entered into by both partners after a couple is married or has entered into a civil union. It covers matters such as the division of property and spousal support in the event of divorce, marital debt, the death of a spouse, or a serious change in circumstances. Spousal support provisions in a postnuptial agreement may be challenged, and these agreements cannot determine child support arrangements in advance. Courts tend to scrutinize postnuptial agreements because they occur after a couple has already entered into a marital agreement.
- Paternity tests. There are times when a paternity test may be required to collect child support or establish visitation and custody arrangements. A court may send parties for testing to settle a dispute.
- Restraining orders. An emergency restraining order, a temporary restraining order, or a permanent restraining order may be issued by a judge in cases where a person is suspected of physical or verbal abuse. This may have serious consequences for the defendant, impacting custody, visitation, gun rights, professional licenses, or a military career.
Some scenarios can become very complicated, such as resolving a divorce and determining child custody. But every situation has its own legalities, and you should have a lawyer with the right experience by your side to achieve the best outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an attorney when I’m getting a divorce?
The short answer is no, you do not have to be represented by an attorney when filing for divorce. It’s legal to handle the proceedings on your own. However, even if it seems that both you and your spouse are in agreement, you should still consult with an attorney to discuss your situation and determine if going without an attorney makes sense.
If you are going through a high-asset divorce, need to reach a custody agreement, or feel like you are not getting a fair settlement, you will almost certainly be better off with an experienced San Diego family law attorney representing you.
What is a no-fault divorce?
California is what is known as a no-fault divorce state. This means that a spouse who is asking for a divorce does not need to prove that the other spouse did something wrong. He or she can file for a divorce for any reason whatsoever.
In California, it doesn’t matter if one spouse had an affair, for example. As a no-fault state, the circumstances surrounding the divorce do not mean that one spouse is more entitled to assets or child custody. The one exception is that the judge will strongly consider the best interests of the child when determining custody. So, for example, if one parent is filing for divorce due to the other parent’s drug addiction or abusive behavior, the judge may deny that parent custody in order to protect the children.
In addition, it should be noted that if your spouse wishes to file for divorce, there is nothing you can do, legally speaking, to stop him or her.
After a divorce, can my spouse move with our children to another state?
In California, even if one parent has been awarded sole physical custody, this does not automatically grant that parent the right to move the children to another state. Once a court has made a ruling regarding custody, it is necessary to petition the court to make a change, especially one as significant as moving to another state.
What happens if my spouse has stopped paying child support?
If your spouse has failed to make a scheduled payment, it may be necessary to contact Child Support Services. You will be able to initiate the enforcement process for payment. It may be helpful to consult with an attorney in such a case, who can help you navigate the process and ensure you get the money owed to you.
How long does it take to get a divorce?
There’s no exact answer to this question, but in general, California has a six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. This means that while a divorce, especially a contentious one, may take much longer, even an amicable divorce will not take less than six months.
The Role of Family Court
Family court in San Diego plays a significant role in family disputes, acting as a neutral third party to decide what’s best for everyone. Family courts conduct assessments and hold hearings on the matter at hand, then make decisions and issue court orders that must be followed.
In some cases, the people involved (along with their attorneys) determine that their case does not need to go to family court but instead can be resolved through mediation or alternative dispute resolution. This can save a lot of time, as the San Diego family courts are often overloaded, making most cases very lengthy before a final decision is made.
Choosing to go through mediation or dispute resolution with the help of a lawyer is a better alternative than fighting it out in family court. Still, it’s not always possible for a couple to agree, and a judge has to hand down a final verdict. In contentious cases, it’s important to have a legal advocate on your side to look out for your best interests and those of your family.
Helping Families Thrive in San Diego
When most people think of family law, they think of disputes among family members. While family law does often deal with the ugly nature of divorce, child support, and domestic violence, there is another side. That side works to help families, ease transitions, and ensure that any agreements made involving family life are fair and protect everyone’s rights.
This is the case for documents such as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, as well as adoption applications. While family law sometimes involves families breaking up, a lot of the time, it also helps bring families together.
If your family situation is about to change due to a marriage, divorce, or some other circumstances, contact Mattis Law, A.P.C. Our San Diego lawyer is here to help you with whatever legal issue your family is going through.
Other Locations We Serve
Your Family Law Advocate in San Diego
When it comes to finding a San Diego family law attorney who will fight on your behalf and help establish a meaningful and beneficial resolution, look no further than Mattis Law, A.P.C. We have the knowledge and years of experience necessary to help you build a secure future for you and your children.
Call (858) 328-4400 to schedule a complimentary consultation today. Let’s see how we can help.
Mattis Law, A.P.C.
7730 Herschel Avenue
Suite N
La Jolla, California 92037
Additional Information
- Should You Switch Attorneys During a Family Law Case?
- How to Find a Family Law Attorney That Fits Your Specific Case
- How Threats Influence Family Law Cases
- The Advantages of Mediation
Testimonials
“I don't know how I would have gotten through it, without the caring support of Amelia Mattis and her sympathetic staff.”
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“Ms. Mattis was extremely prepared for my case and paid great attention to detail.”
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