At the Law Offices of Varoujan Agemian, we will provide you with exceptional legal representation in the most complex and contentious family law matters.
When litigation is necessary
and unavoidable, Mr. Agemian
will never hesitate to go to court
to advocate for you and your
families best interests. In some
cases and if and when appropriate,
Mr. Agemian will encourage the
use of mediation or arbitration
to resolve your dispute.
- DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (DIVORCE)
Everything from simple uncontested dissolutions to extremely contentious divorce litigation matters, involving extensive assets and complex child custody and visitation issues
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS
- DEFENDING YOU AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MATTERS
- PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION AND DEBT DIVISION
- SPOUSAL SUPPORT AND CHILD SUPPORT
- CHILD CUSTODY / VISITATION AND MOVE AWAY CASES
- LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION
- PATERNITY
- POST-DIVORCE SUPPORT AND CUSTODY
MODIFICATIONS - Call our office for assistance with other areas of law.
GLOSSARY
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) - Top
At the Law Offices of Varoujan Agemian, we understand that going through a divorce is one of the most difficult issues many of our clients will face. Decisions you make during this process can have a lasting impact on your family, your assets, and your finances. Our qualified family law attorneys handle everything from simple uncontested dissolutions to extremely contentious divorce litigation matters, involving extensive assets and complex child custody issues. No matter the scope of your case, our team will work tirelessly to protect your rights and ensure that all agreements, property divisions, and custody arrangements are fair to you and your children.
In addition, we have particular experience assisting those seeking divorce or relief from an abusive relationship. Several of our attorneys volunteer for community organizations that provide assistance to abuse victims, and understand the process of obtaining necessary restraining orders that will help protect victims and their children.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders - Top
California law allows the victims of domestic violence to get restraining orders against spouses, family members, a parent’s child, or any person they’ve dated or lived with in order to live free of fear.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders are issued where the accused has:
• Committed a act of physical violence;
• Threatened physical violence;
• Harassed or stalked an individual;
• Sexually assaulted or molested; and/or,
• Verbally abused the victim.
Defending You Against Domestic Violence Matters - Top
When arguments between couples or family members become heated, it can be easy to lose your temper and take things too far. When physical violence occurs, police can be quick to file domestic violence charges against one of the involved parties in an effort to end a violent history or simply offer a cooling down period for each party involved. If you have been charged with domestic violence, you need an experienced lawyer to defend you, as a domestic violence conviction can have a lasting impact on your future.
Property Distribution And Debt Division - Top
California is a Community Property state, meaning that "all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage" is the property of both spouses. During a divorce the court will determine what, if anything, is the separate property of only one spouse. At the Law Offices of Varoujan
Agemian, our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex property distribution matters, particularly in large estates where there are significant investment and property holdings both in and out of California.
Spousal and Child Support - Top
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling a wide range of spousal and child support arrangements, including in cases where one or both spouses are considered high-earners. Support may be ordered to be paid by either or both parties, and is decided based on a comparison of their net income. Child support is determined based on the best interests of the child or children, and generally lasts until the age of 18. Child support is calculated based on:
• The earning capacity of each parent
• The number of children
• How much time the children spend with each parent
• Medical, education, and other expenses
The parents can also agree on a different amount not based on the guideline; the court will generally approve if the agreement is in the best interests of the children.
To get more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Varoujan V. Agemian.
Complex Custody / Visitation and Move-Away Cases - Top
When a marriage that has produced children ends in divorce, determining custody arrangements can prove to be one of the most emotionally difficult and contentious obstacles to achieving a resolution. In a divorce, two separate types of custody must be determined:
• Physical custody refers to which parent the child actually lives with and when.
• Legal custody refers to which parent retains the right and responsibility to make educational, medical, and religious decisions regarding the child's upbringing.
Although sole custody may be granted when it is in the best interest of the child, all custody decisions start out in favor of some form of joint custody. In these cases, a visitation plan will outline how the parents will share custody.
At the Law Offices of Varoujan Agemian, our attorneys assist clients with both simple and complex custody and visitation matters, including "move-away" cases, where one parent wants to relocate outside of California, or even outside the country.
Limited Scope Representation - Top
Limited Scope Representation (or "unbundling") is a family law option for the In Pro Per client who cannot afford the traditional full representation attorney or who simply does not wish to spend the money on full representation. Limited scope representation allows an attorney and his/her client to have a contractual agreement that limits the scope of the attorney’s representation and limits the services the attorney will perform. There are Limited Scope forms available to help the client and attorney agree and spell out the scope of the attorney’s representation. While many states are studying Limited Scope Representation, California is one of just a handful of states that has specifically sanctioned the practice of Limited Scope Representation or “unbundling.”
Paternity - Top
Under California paternity law, "the child of a wife cohabiting with her husband - is conclusively presumed to be a child of the marriage." However, in many cases, a child is born out of wedlock, or the mother's husband is not the father. Establishing paternity can have a significant impact on custody, visitation rights, and child support obligations. While many parents choose to establish paternity voluntarily, it is sometimes necessary to obtain a court order. Our attorneys have experience handling the legal aspects of all types of paternity matters.
Post-Divorce Support and Custody Modifications - Top
Sometimes, even after a divorce is final, a parent's circumstances may change significantly due to a loss in income or a change of location. In these cases, the California Family Code allows the court to set aside or modify a support order. If you or your spouse's circumstances have changed in some way, our attorneys can work to advocate for your best interests, and the best interests of your children, in the court's modification of support and custody orders.
Contact Us
To get more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Varoujan V. Agemian.