Clovis Family Law Lawyer

The end of a marriage or a sudden shift in your domestic structure leaves you facing a landscape that feels both entirely unfamiliar and emotionally draining. When these deeply personal disputes arise, safeguarding your future requires a mix of tactical planning and steady, practical focus. At Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian, we provide the compassionate legal advocacy you need to protect your interests, focusing on winning your case and building a secure foundation for what comes next.

Every family law conflict carries its own distinct hurdles and pressures. Our clients come from all over the region, from established neighborhoods near Old Town Clovis to growing residential communities along the Herndon Avenue corridor. The paths you choose right now will directly shape your financial security, your personal well-being, and your relationship with your children for years to come. Backed by decades of combined experience, our legal team stands ready to steer you through local court procedures with absolute clarity and resolve.

We represent clients in a wide range of domestic relations issues, focusing on building strong cases that protect your long-term interests. You do not have to handle the stress of complex legal filings, strict deadlines, and courtroom high stakes on your own.

If you are ready to discuss your options with an experienced family law attorney in Clovis, contact Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian today to schedule your initial consultation.

Comprehensive Family Law Representation in the Central Valley

Family law encompasses a broad spectrum of legal matters that govern how households divide assets, share responsibilities, and protect vulnerable members. We stand ready to assist Clovis residents through every phase of these life-changing transitions.

Our practice covers all aspects of domestic relations under California law, including:

• Dissolution of marriage and legal separation
• Child custody and visitation arrangements
• Child support establishment and modifications
• Spousal support determinations
• Paternity actions for unmarried parents
• Domestic violence restraining orders

Every family court case in Fresno County follows specific procedural rules. Failing to submit the correct paperwork or missing a critical deadline can delay your case or negatively affect the outcome. Our firm manages the legal process from start to finish, ensuring your voice is heard and your interests remain the priority.

Navigating the California Divorce Process

The decision to end a marriage involves a detailed legal process that requires careful management of dates, disclosures, and statutory rules. Under California Family Code Section 2320, at least one spouse must meet strict residency requirements before filing a petition for dissolution of marriage. Specifically, you or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in the county of filing for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

California is a pure no-fault divorce state. This means the filing party does not need to prove marital misconduct or wrongdoing to secure a dissolution. The most common ground cited is irreconcilable differences, which simply means the marriage has broken down beyond repair.

Once a petition is filed and served, California law mandates a minimum six-month waiting period before the court can finally restore the parties to single status. This timeline makes it essential to initiate paperwork correctly and efficiently to avoid unnecessary procedural delays.

Property Division and Marital Debts

California operates under a strict community property system, which significantly influences how a couple’s finances are split. According to California Family Code Section 760, all assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the marriage are generally considered community property. Under community property laws, upon divorce, the court aims to divide these items equally between the two parties, regardless of who earned the money or whose name is on the title.

Property division often involves complex evaluations of assets, including:

• Primary residences and rental properties located in the Central Valley
• Retirement accounts, pensions, and 401(k) plans
• Family-owned businesses or professional practices
• Vehicles, bank accounts, and personal belongings

Conversely, separate property includes anything owned before the marriage, as well as gifts or inheritances received by an individual spouse during the marriage. Keeping these categories distinct requires meticulous tracking. We work diligently to protect your separate property and ensure that community debts and assets are evaluated accurately, preventing you from being left financially vulnerable.

Prioritizing the Best Interests of Your Children

When parents separate, establishing clear arrangements for the care of their children is often the most emotional and hard-fought aspect of the case. California family courts utilize the best interests of the child standard to resolve all disputes regarding physical and legal custody.

Under California Family Code Section 3011, the judge must consider specific factors when determining custody and visitation, including the health, safety, and welfare of the child, any history of abuse, and the habitual or continual illegal use of controlled substances or alcohol by either parent.

Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, and religious upbringing, which parents frequently share. Physical custody dictates where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. We help parents draft practical parenting schedules that maintain stability for children attending schools within the Clovis Unified School District, reducing unnecessary conflict during handoffs and holidays.

Calculating Child Support and Spousal Support

Financial stability is crucial after a household splits. Child support in California is calculated using a complex, statewide statutory formula that takes into account both parents’ monthly incomes, tax configurations, and the precise percentage of time the child spends with each parent. Because the court expects both parents to support their children financially, this guideline calculation is standard across all Fresno County cases.

Spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony, serves a different purpose. Temporary support may be awarded during the divorce process to maintain the status quo regarding finances. For long-term or permanent spousal support, California Family Code Section 4320 requires the court to weigh a comprehensive list of factors. This includes the supported party’s marketable skills, the supporting spouse’s ability to pay, and the duration of the marriage. Marriages lasting over ten years receive different consideration under state law, as the court generally retains jurisdiction over support indefinitely unless otherwise agreed.

We help you gather the necessary financial documentation, such as tax returns, pay stubs, and business ledgers, to ensure that support calculations are fair, precise, and reflect your true financial reality.

Mediation and Non-Litigation Alternatives

Not every family law matter needs to involve an aggressive courtroom battle. Many families choose to pursue alternative dispute resolution methods to save time, reduce financial strain, and minimize emotional hardship.

In fact, whenever a parent files a motion for a child custody order in Fresno County, California, Family Code Section 3170 requires the parties to attend a mediation session through Family Court Services before appearing before a judge. This session encourages parents to cooperate and develop a mutually agreeable parenting plan.

Beyond mandatory custody mediation, couples can utilize voluntary mediation or collaborative divorce strategies to settle property and support matters outside of court. Choosing a collaborative approach allows both spouses to negotiate terms privately, maintaining greater control over the final agreements rather than leaving life-altering decisions up to a judge. When these methods are appropriate, we negotiate skillfully to secure your goals without the added stress of an open trial.

Navigating the Fresno County Court System

All local family law cases are processed through the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. Legal hearings, mandatory mediation orientations, and clerk filings take place at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse is located at 1130 O Street in downtown Fresno.

Filing a case involves specific local rules, including electronic filing systems and mandatory attendance at family court workshops. Working with a law office that is deeply familiar with local court procedures ensures your documents move smoothly through the clerk’s office and onto the judge’s desk. We represent Clovis families daily in these courtrooms, bringing first-hand knowledge of local judicial expectations to your case strategy.

Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Clovis Family Law Lawyer

The decisions you make during a family law dispute will shape your life, your finances, and your relationship with your children for years to come. Do not leave your future to chance or try to decode complex statutory rules alone. At Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian, we provide the dedicated advocacy and compassionate guidance you need to move forward with confidence.

We are committed to helping you protect what matters most. Contact our team today at (559) 545 -0383 to schedule your initial consultation and discover how our more than 75 years of combined legal experience can benefit your family.