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Divorce Attorney Clovis

Ending a marriage is one of the most challenging chapters a person can experience. When you face a divorce, your emotional well-being, financial security, and relationships with your children are all on the line. You do not have to handle these complex choices alone. At Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian, we provide the steady guidance and determined advocacy you need during this transition. As an established firm serving the Central Valley, we understand how local courts operate and how California family law applies to your specific situation.

We know that every family is unique, and we tailor our strategy to match your specific concerns. Whether you expect a straightforward process or a highly contested trial, our legal team is prepared to protect your assets and your future. We focus on achieving a fair outcome so that you can move forward with confidence.

If you are ready to discuss your case with a dedicated Clovis divorce lawyer, contact Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian today to schedule your consultation.

Understanding the California Divorce Process

Filing for a dissolution of marriage in California requires meeting strict legal standards. Before you can file paperwork in a local court, at least one spouse must meet the state residency requirements. California law dictates that one party must have lived in the state for the past six months. Furthermore, that person must have resided in the specific county where the case is filed for the past three months, such as Fresno County or neighboring Madera County.

Your legal case is set in motion the moment you file a petition and summons with the local court clerk. The official clock starts ticking as soon as your spouse receives service of these documents. Under California state law, a mandatory six-month waiting period applies to every dissolution of marriage. A family law judge will not sign your final divorce decree until at least six months and one day have passed from that initial service date.

While you wait for this timeframe to conclude, both spouses must complete a full exchange of financial disclosures. You are required to list all assets, debts, sources of income, and ongoing monthly expenses. Hiding assets or submitting inaccurate details often triggers severe legal penalties from the judge or completely stalls your case. We work side by side with you to compile these records properly, matching every expectation of the local court system.

Navigating Temporary Orders for Your Family

The time between filing for divorce and receiving a final judgment from a judge can take months. During this waiting period, you still need to pay bills, maintain your household, and care for your children. We help you file for temporary court orders to establish immediate stability. These temporary orders set clear rules for financial support, determine who stays in the marital home, and outline a temporary parenting schedule. Our legal team acts quickly to present your financial needs to the court, ensuring you have the resources you need to protect your family as your case proceeds.

Child Custody and the Parenting Plan

When children are involved, their health and happiness become our absolute priority. California courts determine custody based entirely on the best interests of the children. Judges prefer arrangements that allow both parents to maintain frequent and continuous contact with their children, provided it is safe to do so.

Custody is divided into two separate categories:

  • Legal custody, which involves the right to make major decisions regarding the children’s upbringing, education, and medical care.
  • Physical custody, which determines where the children live daily.

Parents can work together to create a customized parenting plan that outlines holiday schedules, school breaks, and daily visitation. If you can agree on a shared schedule, the judge will usually sign off on the agreement. When parents cannot resolve the matter, the California Family Code mandates that the court require mediation before scheduling a trial. We stand ready to advocate for your parental rights in mediation or directly before a judge to ensure your bond with your children remains secure.

Determining Child Support and Spousal Support

Financially adjusting to a separation can cause a great deal of stress. Both parents have a legal duty to contribute financially to the upbringing of their minor children. California utilizes a specific algebraic formula to calculate child support. This calculation takes into account the gross income of both parties, the exact percentage of time each parent spends with the children, and available tax deductions.

Spousal support, sometimes called alimony, is handled separately from child support. For temporary support while the divorce is pending, courts often use a standardized formula. But for long-term or permanent spousal support, the judge must evaluate multiple specific factors outlined by California law.

These statutory factors include:

  • The marketable skills of the dependent spouse
  • The total duration of the marriage
  • The supporting spouse’s ability to pay
  • The standard of living was established during the marriage
  • The age and physical health of both parties

Our firm evaluates your financial reality firsthand to ensure that support calculations are accurate and just. We fight to make sure you are not left financially vulnerable after your marriage ends.

Division of Property and Marital Debts

California is a community property state. This means that all assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the marriage belong equally to both parties. Community property typically includes the family home, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement plans, and household goods earned or purchased during the marriage.

Separate property consists of assets owned before the marriage, or items acquired at any time through an individual gift or inheritance. It is common for separate and community assets to become mixed over time, such as when separate funds are used to pay down a marital mortgage. Sorting out these mixed assets requires deep legal knowledge and meticulous accounting.

Marital debts are also divided equally under state rules. This includes credit card balances, auto loans, and mortgages taken out while you were married. Our legal team works diligently to protect your separate property and ensure that all community property is divided fairly under the law.

Mediation vs. Court Trial

Not every divorce requires a bitter, public fight in a courthouse. Many couples choose a collaborative divorce or select private mediation to resolve their differences. In mediation, a neutral third party helps the spouses negotiate an agreement regarding property, support, and custody. This approach is often less stressful, more private, and more cost-effective than a traditional court battle.

If your spouse refuses to negotiate fairly, or if issues like domestic violence are present, a trial may be necessary. When a peaceful agreement cannot be reached, we are fully committed to advocating for your interests inside the courtroom. Our extensive litigation background equips us to present a persuasive case to the judge.

How a Local Clovis Family Law Attorney Can Assist You

Hiring a local lawyer who is familiar with the Central Valley court system provides a clear advantage. The Fresno County Superior Court handles family law matters for Clovis residents at its family court facility in downtown Fresno. Navigating local court rules, filing deadlines, and specific judicial expectations requires practical, hands-on experience.

We explain every step of the legal process in plain, straightforward language so that you can make informed choices about your life. Our team manages the complex paperwork and handles all communication with your spouse’s lawyer. This allows you to focus on your emotional recovery and your family’s future while we manage the legal details.

Contact Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian Today

If you are facing a divorce in Clovis or Madera, the decisions you make today will shape your life for years to come. Do not let stress or uncertainty compromise your future. At Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian, we combine compassionate legal representation with a dedicated drive to win your case. We are here to carry the legal burden so that you can focus on rebuilding your life.

Call our office at (559) 545-0383 or use our online contact form to schedule an initial consultation with an experienced family law attorney.