SERVICES
Divorce & Legal Separation
When facing the breakdown of your family unit, you don’t need to go it alone. Attorney Laurie Coker and our team of legal professionals are here for you. Facing divorce can be intimidating and overwhelming. We have decades of experience in the areas of divorce and legal separation. Whether you have made the decision to move forward with a dissolution of your marriage, or your spouse has made the decision to leave the marriage, we can be your legal advocate and guide you through the process.
Every family law matter is unique. We recognize your need to be heard and understood. The legal issues you face during your divorce or legal separation may include:
Outside the courtroom, Laurie is a proud wife, mother, grandmother, and dog-mom. She approaches her professional life with the same fierce dedication she has for her own family.
- Spousal Support (also known as alimony)
- Property Division
- Child Custody & Visitation
- Attorney’s Fees & Costs of Litigation
- Legal Separation
Mediation - A Better Way to Untie the Knot
Paternity
Paternity cases are between two parents who are not married to each other. Issues to be addressed in a paternity matter are child custody, visitation and child support. Costs of pregnancy and birth can also be addressed by the court. Genetic testing can be ordered in a case where the identity of a biological parent is unconfirmed or in dispute. A parent who was not included on the child’s birth certificate at the time of birth can be added upon order of the Court. Likewise, a child’s name can be changed to add a last name that was not originally included on the child’s Birth Certificate.
Child custody and visitation orders are based upon what the Court determines to be in the best interest of the child. Our team is experienced in presenting evidence to the Court in a way that is designed to assist the Court in seeing the best interest of the child from our client’s perspective.
Child support is ordered pursuant to the California Guideline Child Support calculation. Factors considered in that formula include the respective earnings or earning capacities of the parents, the timeshare with the child and certain guideline deductions such as payment of health insurance, required retirement payments and union dues. When a parent’s income includes overtime pay or other fluctuating pay such as seasonal employment or commissions, the issue of child support can be legally complex. Our team is experienced with a broad range of issues related to child support including military pay, social security benefits related to a parent’s disability and even child support for adult disabled children. Attorney Coker has litigated the issue of child support and prevailed on that issue, obtaining orders for child support to provide for the needs of a disabled child after a prior order discontinuing such support was obtained by the non-custodial parent. We can help you navigate these issues and ensure that the Court understands when fluctuating income should be considered when the amount of child support is determined.
Presumed Father
Under certain circumstances, a man who is not the biological father of a child may be recognized as the legal father of that child pursuant to the California Family Code. In one of Attorney Coker’s first multi-day trials, she prevailed in obtaining custody of a child to a father who had raised the child he considered to be his son for many years until the child’s mother abruptly cut off the relationship between the man and the child who he had raised as his own, despite that child having a different biological father. Attorney Coker has maintained contact with that family for over a decade. As a new attorney, having the opportunity to play a part in reuniting a child with the only father he had known was an experience that encouraged Laurie to focus her legal career on helping families through difficult life circumstances.
Domestic Abuse & Restraining Orders
Victims of domestic abuse deserve compassion, care and a strong legal advocate to help secure a safer future for the victim and their children. Attorney Coker has decades of experience working with victims of domestic abuse. Over this period of time, she has learned to recognize when a victim has difficulty articulating what has occurred and she can help a victim find their voice. The type of abuse that may result in a Domestic Violence Restraining Order is not limited to physical violence. Sexual abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, harassment and coercive control are other examples of circumstances that can result in a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Don’t assume that you cannot obtain the protection of a restraining order just because the mistreatment you are living with is not in the form of physical violence. Attorney Coker can advise you of your legal rights so that you can determine whether a Domestic Violence Restraining Order may be the first step to a brighter future for you and your children.
A person who is accused of domestic abuse and served with a Temporary Restraining Order or Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order faces serious, life changing circumstances. Your contact with your children, access to your home and other rights can be curtailed based solely upon the Court’s review and consideration of untested allegations of your accuser. The time to prepare and to defend yourself can be short. It is important to obtain competent legal advice and representation as soon as possible in order to avoid long-term effects of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Attorney Coker recently represented a client who was accused of several acts of Domestic Violence in a multi-day trial. After several days of testimony, cross-examination of the accuser and the presentation of evidence, the Court denied the accuser’s request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. If you have been accused of domestic violence, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your options. Moving forward without experienced legal counsel can result in long lasting consequences for you and for your children.
Pre-Marital (Pre-Nuptial) & Post-Marital (Post-Nuptial) Agreements
A pre-marital agreement, also known as a pre-nuptial agreement is a contract between two people who are engaged to be married. The applicable California law pertaining to pre-marital agreements is very specific. Attempting to enter a premarital agreement without the guidance of an experienced attorney can result in an agreement that is completely unenforceable. In contrast, a well-drafted pre-martial agreement that is in compliance with the California Family Code can help you avoid unexpected consequences and protracted litigation if your marriage does not result in the happily ever after you had anticipated on your wedding day. Attorney Coker has over a decade of experience negotiating and drafting pre-marital agreements. A little pre-planning before you tie the knot may help you avoid a tangled web in the event the knot unravels later.
A post-marital agreement, also known as a post-nuptial agreement is a contract between parties who are already married. The scope of issues to be included in a post-martial agreement is limited by the California Family Code. Attorney Coker is well-versed regarding post-marital agreements and can help you determine of this type of document may be right for you and your spouse.
LGBTQ
We welcome individuals who have both traditional and non-traditional relationships and family structures to schedule a complimentary consultation with our firm. Our philosophy is that every individual with a need for family law advice or representation deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Attorney Laurie Coker and our team of professionals have experience representing clients in same-sex relationships, Domestic Partnerships, parents of children with more than two legal parents and other clients with family law needs beyond the traditional. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see for yourself if we might be the best fit for you.
Adoption
Step-Parent adoptions can bring families closer and strengthen the bond between a child and a step-parent who is firmly committed to providing stability for the child. There are legal requirements that must be met in order for a step-parent adoption to be possible. Most importantly, a termination of parental rights may be necessary. Our team of legal professionals is experienced with step-parent adoptions and ready to answer your questions.
Independent adoptions are adoptions that are done by direct placement. There is no agency involved in placing the child. Examples are direct placement of a child by the birth parents, adoption of a child who is related to the adopting parent(s), placement of a child selected by a deceased parent in their will, and adoption of a child by the child’s legal guardian.
Adult adoption is the process by which an adult is adopted by another adult. There are strict rules that regulate adult adoption. Attorney Coker is experienced with adult adoption cases. Contact us if you would like to schedule a consultation to learn more about adult adoption.
