Bel Air Divorce Lawyers

When people in Bel Air go through a divorce, there may be contentious battles over multi-million dollar real estate and other high-value assets. The dissolution of a marriage can also put your future as a parent and caregiver at risk. Hiring the right divorce lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you are going through a divorce and live in Bel Air, contact our divorce lawyers in Beverly Hills. The family law attorneys at S.L. Pitts PC can provide the guidance you need from the start of a divorce to post-judgment modifications once the divorce is finalized.

Why You Need a Divorce Lawyer

Even amicable splits can be complicated. By hiring a divorce lawyer from our firm, you can make sure your interests and your rights are noted throughout the divorce proceedings. Our divorce attorneys understand the nuances of the California’s Family Code as well as unique procedures and rules that apply to courts throughout Los Angeles County.

A skilled divorce attorney can:

• Provide an overview and timeline of divorce proceedings in California
• Offer support and perspective as your divorce unfolds
• Translate legalese and legal concepts into plain English
• Assist with filing paperwork properly and on time
• Identify assets and debts for property division
• Prepare you for custody and support disputes
• Give you the big picture throughout the process

How the Attorneys at S.L. Pitts PC Can Help

Founded in 2001, the legal team at S.L. Pitts PC brings decades of knowledge to divorce cases and other matters related to family law. When you come to us with your case, you can expect the following:

You Will Always Come First

Our law firm’s core values are centered on the needs of our clients. Your interests (and the best interests of your child) will be at the heart of any legal strategy. Over the years, our attorneys have learned that our law firm is most successful when we advance our clients’ interests.

We Will Provide Honest and Respectful Counsel

Our experienced team of family law attorneys will always be candid with you, even when the advice is difficult to hear. That said, we will be respectful when we communicate with you, your former spouse and their legal representation, and with any representatives of the court.

We Will Practice Discretion, Confidentiality, and Privacy

Many divorces in Bel Air involve public figures and wealthy businesspeople. The family lawyers of S.L. Pitts PC will ensure all communication is done in the strictest confidence. We will not allow sensitive information to be leaked to the media or any public forums.

We Will Offer Creative and Collaborative Solutions

Our law office in Beverly Hills excels at problem-solving. We maintain our focus on beneficial remedies and outcomes. We will consult with you about potential solutions and leverage internal peer review to identify the best possible options to explore in your divorce case.

Contact the Bel Air Divorce Lawyers of S.L. Pitts PC

If you’re filing for divorce, don’t go it alone. Work with proven divorce attorneys who have helped people throughout the Platinum Triangle and other affluent areas in Los Angeles County. To set up a consultation with our divorce attorneys, contact our family law firm in Beverly Hills. You can also reach us by phone at 424.374.0385.

Division of Property in a Divorce

In California, the court will typically divide a couple’s community property 50/50, ensuring an even split. Separate property (assets and debts from before marriage, after separation, or gifts and inheritance) are not divided between spouses.

For many people in Bel Air, the division of assets and debts during a divorce is not so simple. The total value of assets at stake could be in the tens or hundreds of millions. It’s also possible to have commingling assets and debts, meaning that community property and separate property got mixed together (e.g., home purchases, bank accounts).

Having our divorce lawyers on your side can make sure you properly split any community assets and debts and prevent any separate property or personal accounts from becoming part of this discussion.

Reviewing Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

If a couple has a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, these agreements can be reviewed when dividing assets and debts. Prenups and postnups provide guidelines on how assets and debts are divided when a marriage ends.

When there are any disputes during the division of property, our divorce lawyers can consult the prenup or postnup to resolve disagreements.

High-Asset Divorce Lawyers for People in Bel Air

Los Angeles County is home to numerous celebrities, executives, high-profile entrepreneurs, and established professionals. Many of these people own homes in expensive places like Lower Bel Air and the area surrounding the Bel-Air Country Club. When wealthy couples get divorced, dividing assets and debts can lead to drawn-out court battles.

Our Divorce Attorneys Understand Complex Assets

The divorce lawyers at S.L. Pitts PC will not feel intimidated working on cases with high-profile clients. We have worked on high-asset divorce cases in California and can identify unique challenges facing rich and elite clients.

Our divorce attorneys can note the value of expensive property in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, or Holmby Hills as well as any real estate acquired during the marriage. We can also note the value of business ventures, antiques and other home furnishings, stocks and investments, shared bank accounts, and retirement accounts. Our family lawyers have also worked on divorces involving California tech workers, who may have unvested stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs) among their assets.

Need Help with a High-Asset Divorce in Bel Air? Contact Our Family Law Attorneys

Don’t make an expensive mistake during your divorce. You need a high-asset divorce lawyer who will put your interests first and offer honest advice no matter what. If you are going through a high-income, high-profile divorce in Bel Air, contact our family law attorneys in Beverly Hills.

Spousal Support Payments

Also known as alimony, spousal support payments are made from one former spouse to the other in order to cover their living expenses. Spousal support also helps the recipient spouse adjust to life after marriage and gain the skills necessary for self-sufficiency.

There are two kinds of spousal support in California:

• Temporary Spousal Support – Temporary spousal support payments are made from one spouse to another before the divorce is finalized.
• Long-Term Spousal Support – Also known as permanent support orders, long-term spousal support orders are made at the end of a divorce case.

Calculating Spousal Support Payments

When calculating spousal support amounts, the court will consider:

• The individual income of each spouse
• The education and earning potential of each spouse
• Each spouse’s standard of living during their marriage

Modifying Spousal Support Payments

It is possible to adjust spousal support payments based on changes in a person’s income, employment, earning capacity, or medical condition. Our family law attorneys can provide assistance in seeking spousal support modification.

Enforcing Spousal Support Orders

If a spouse is late with spousal support, the lawyers at S.L. Pitts PC can discuss methods of enforcement in order to obtain delinquent payments.

Child Support Payments

Child support payments are made by one parent to the other in order to cover the cost of raising a child. These payments are specifically meant to cover childrearing expenses such as food, clothing, tuition, and housing. Child support payments do not crossover with spousal support.

Calculating Child Support Payments

The amount owed in child support will depend on the number of children present, the income of each parent, and any custody agreements between parents. California has a Child Support Guideline Calculator that can help give parents a general sense of their potential monthly obligation.

Modifying Child Support Payments

As with spousal support, the amount paid in child support can be adjusted based on changes in finances and earning potential. The lawyers at S.L. Pitts PC can help you if you require post-judgment modification to child support payments.

Enforcing Child Support Payments

Late child support payments can put your child’s well-being at risk. Our attorneys can help enforce child support orders and obtain the payments needed to raise your child.

Have an Issue with Spousal Support or Child Support? Contact Our Bel Air Divorce Lawyers

Families in Bel Air can trust our divorce attorneys to provide assistance with spousal support and child support payments. To discuss your needs and the needs of your children, contact our Beverly Hills family law office. You can also reach us by phone at 424.374.0385.

Child Custody After a Divorce

When former spouses have children, courts will generally urge parents to share custody. A court will always consider the best interests of a child in these matters. Contentious divorces could lead to disputes over child custody. The lawyers of S.L. Pitts PC can help divorced parents navigate these disagreements.

Types of Child Custody

Child custody is divided into legal custody and physical custody:

• Legal Custody – Legal custody refers to a parent’s ability to make decisions about their child’s upbringing. This includes choices about education and afterschool programs, medical needs, how to discipline a child, and other childrearing issues.
• Physical Custody – Physical custody refers to a child physically living with a parent at their home.

The parent who spends the most time with their child is referred to as the custodial parent. Many divorced couples have joint custody of their children, sharing in legal and physical custody.

Sometimes it may be in a child’s best interests for one parent to have sole custody of a child. This is the case when one parent is unable to provide proper care or a nurturing environment for their child.

Child Visitation and Parenting Time After a Divorce

In addition to child custody, our Bel Air divorce attorneys can help clients with visitation rights and parenting time. These arrangements allow a non-custodial parent to remain a meaningful presence in their child’s life.

Types of Parenting Time Arrangements

There are four types of parenting time in California:

• Reasonable – These parenting time arrangements are worked out between parents without a set schedule.
• With a Schedule – These parenting time arrangements provide specific dates that allow a non-custodial parent to spend time with their child. This may include certain holidays or dates with special significance to the child and the non-custodial parent.
• Supervised – These parenting time arrangements allow the non-custodial parent to visit their child only when the custodial parent, another adult, or a representative from a professional agency are present. This is done to protect the safety of a child when they are with the non-custodial parent.
• No Visitation – Parenting time may be prohibited if the non-custodial parent is a danger to a child even with supervised visits.

Contact Our Divorce Attorneys About Custody and Visitation Disputes

Your child and their best interests matter, and so do your rights as a parent. If you are experiencing issues with child custody or visitation and live in Bel Air, contact our divorce attorneys in Beverly Hills.

How Domestic Violence Allegations Could Affect Your Divorce

All allegations of domestic violence and abuse must be taken seriously. Domestic abuse covers a number of unacceptable actions, including physical violence, spousal rape and sexual assault, psychological or emotional abuse, forced isolation, and financial control.

If you experienced domestic abuse in your marriage or have been accused of domestic violence by a spouse, it can have a major impact on different aspects of the divorce. Abuse allegations could affect court decisions regarding property division, spousal support payments, child support payments, child custody, and parenting time.

Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence in a Divorce

The attorneys at S.L. Pitts PC will support survivors of domestic abuse throughout divorce proceedings. We can note instances of abuse during the marriage and use this evidence to obtain a more favorable divorce decree.

Disputing False Allegations of Domestic Violence in a Divorce

All domestic violence allegations must be taken seriously, but not all allegations are made in good faith. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence during a divorce, our Bel Air family law attorneys will work diligently to dispute the claims and protect your reputation.

We Can Help with Interstate and International Divorce Disputes

Interstate and international divorce cases have become more common, especially among wealthy and well-connected people from areas like Bel Air or Holmby Hills.

Our divorce attorneys have assisted many clients with jurisdictional questions over the years, ensuring that divorce proceedings are carried out in the proper state or country. S.L. Pitts PC even has a family law office in Seattle, allowing us to help clients with legal or business ties to the state of Washington.

Contact Our Bel Air Divorce Attorneys

In a high-profile divorce, you cannot afford mistakes or setbacks. Count on a law firm that has helped families for more than two decades. If your marriage is ending and you live in Bel Air, request a consultation with our Bel Air divorce lawyers. You can reach our office in Beverly Hills by phone at 424.374.0385.