With up-to-the-minute changes in registered domestic partnership and same-sex marriage laws in California, Hemmer and Barr can assist clients in understanding the most expedient course that suits each specific situation. We can also assist in issues surrounding parentage and paternity in complicated familial arrangements, as well as legal separation and annulment issues.
Domestic Partnership
In most cases, the termination of a domestic partnership is treated like a divorce. Issues such as child support and custody, spousal support, and property division will have to be settled.
Paternity
If you are seeking custody or visitation rights, or are being requested to pay child support, you may have to establish or dispute paternity. The establishment of paternity means both parents have an equal right to custody of the child as well as the obligation to support the child. Speaking with an attorney at Hemmer and Barr who has experience handling paternity cases will help you understand whether or not you are eligible for paternity testing and, if so, what you need to do to get tested.
Separation
If you are seeking a legal separation instead of divorce – whether it’s for religious, financial, or personal reasons – you may still make a request for child support, custody, spousal support, and division of property. Once your separation is finalized, you or your spouse can file for divorce at a later date.
Annulment
An annulment is quite different from a separation or divorce, as it declares the marriage invalid. An annulment may be sought only under very specific circumstances.
It’s important to meet with an attorney at Hemmer and Barr who is experienced in annulment cases to discuss your situation and determine whether annulment is the correct remedy for your situation. Once an annulment is finalized, it is as if the marriage never happened. In cases where children are involved, your must ask for a paternity test prior to the court’s determination of custody, visitation, and/or child support.
Contact or call Hemmer and Barr at (916) 922-8500 to schedule a consultation to speak about your domestic partnership, annulment, and separation concerns.
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