Bonita, California

Nestled in the southeastern portion of San Diego County with a view of picturesque Mt. Miguel, Bonita retains many features of its rural “rancho” past. Equestrian properties still dot the landscape, and horseback riding remains one of the most popular pastimes for residents. People in Bonita also enjoy miles of walking and biking trails that loop around the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course, and there are ample county parks and nature preserves that welcome families to hiking and wildlife viewing along the Sweetwater River and the Sweetwater Reservoir. Many families live in this residential community, but sometimes one or both spouses may decide that they have grown apart and need a divorce so that they can pursue separate paths. When this happens, the Bonita family law attorneys at Doppelt and Forney, APLC can assist them with protecting their legal interests and ensuring a stable financial and personal future.

Family law is the area of law that deals with disputes regarding family and personal relationships, including divorce, child custody, paternity, legal separation, adoption, and related matters. A divorce not only dissolves the marriage bond but also must dismantle and divide all of the structures that were put in place by the married couple for their present and future comfort and security. This involves allocating the family home and other real estate, as well as dividing joint bank accounts, pensions, investments, and retirement accounts. California law uses a community property system, which means that the marital property is divided 50/50 between the spouses. However, this does not always work out as simply as the rule suggests. There may be uncertainties regarding whether a certain asset is marital or separate property, or a combination. Accountants and other experts may be required to trace its origins and establish its true value.

The spouses also may need to apportion income for spousal support and, if they have minor children, formulate a child custody plan as well as developing a child support arrangement. Again, these rules are often more complex in their application than they appear at first glance. The priority in any issue involving child custody is determining and furthering the best interests of the child, but a court can consider many factors in making this decision. While a child’s preferences may be taken into account if they are old enough, they are not automatically dispositive.

Working these matters out can be tedious, emotionally taxing, and time-consuming, yet it is necessary to resolve them. Retaining a Bonita family law lawyer can help you take the burdens off your shoulders and allow you to minimize the hassle of navigating the legal process. Whether your matter is a divorce, an adoption, a paternity proceeding, or a request for a modification of a child custody or support order, our experienced attorneys can efficiently identify your options and explain what you need to do both substantively and procedurally. Some people do proceed with a divorce on their own, but this creates a risk of an accidental misstep that could severely undermine your rights and interests down the road. When it comes to family law matters, you have enough to manage with your job, your children, and your new life as a single individual without needing to educate yourself about the many pitfalls of the legal process.

If you are a resident of Bonita who is going through a divorce or dealing with a post-divorce dispute, and you would like to find out more about how we can assist you with your family law issue, feel free to contact us today. You can call Doppelt and Forney, APLC at 800.769.4748 or contact us online to set up a free appointment. We know how much the outcome of these proceedings matters to you, and we are here to take the stress out of the process while ensuring that your rights are protected to the full extent of the law.