Fullerton Divorce Lawyers For Business Owners And High Net Worth Individuals

Dealing with a divorce is a challenge regardless of the specific issues. Probably the most complex issues are those relating to businesses. The way in which these issues are handled will impact your life for many years. Being represented by the right experienced Fullerton divorce lawyer can make a significant difference in the ultimate outcome of your case.

Minyard Morris is one of the preeminent family law firms in the nation. With 20 divorce lawyers who limit their practice to family law cases filed in Orange County and with combined experience of over 350 years, we are prepared to make your case a priority with a sense of urgency and actually care about you and the results of your case. Our goal is to make you a ‘former client’, as soon as it is practical. We know that you do not want your divorce to last any longer than it has to.

Meetings At Minyard Morris

For decades, Minyard Morris’ lawyers have held regular collaborative meetings to analyze, strategize, and enhance the handling of their clients’ cases. These meetings occur three times a week—Monday at 5:00 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday at noon. During these essential gatherings, the firm’s team of attorneys, with nearly three centuries of combined experience, come together to discuss the intricate details of each case. These conferences are a hallmark of the firm’s commitment to excellence in family law.

During these discussions, the attorneys explore a wide range of topics: how to manage particular opposing counsel, the best approach to unique issues with the assigned judicial officer, recent case law, updates on new appellate court cases or statutes, insights from relevant seminars, experiences from similar cases within the firm, settlement possibilities, evidentiary challenges, trial strategies, valuation of issues, probability of success, and alignment with clients’ objectives and goals. The scope of these meetings is vast, touching on every aspect of family law practice.

The firm’s collaborative approach is well known within the family law community. Lawyers and judicial officers often express curiosity about these meetings, recognizing their unique contribution to case management. This reputation for teamwork also attracts talented lawyers to Minyard Morris, as they see the benefit of leveraging the combined expertise of 20 family law attorneys in these weekly conferences.

Why Do These Meetings Matter To Clients?

The benefits to clients vary with each case, making it difficult to precisely quantify the value of these meetings. However, consider this: would you prefer a lawyer who has the counsel of 19 other family law attorneys exclusively practicing in Orange County and backed by the resources of Minyard Morris, or a lawyer in a smaller firm with only one or two colleagues to consult?

A frequent example from these meetings involves discussions about whether there is legal support for a specific position taken in a case. Often, one of the 20 attorneys at Minyard Morris has previously dealt with a similar issue and can recall the relevant appellate court cases and resolutions. This shared knowledge eliminates the need for lengthy research, saving both time and resources.

Sometimes, a lawyer might seek a “reality check” on the issues in dispute, drawing on the collective input of the group. In other situations, the focus is on assessing the likelihood of success with a particular issue in front of the assigned judicial officer. Discussions may also involve deciding on the most suitable expert to retain for a case. Perhaps the most crucial function of these meetings is brainstorming creative ways to structure settlements and overcome roadblocks. The range of scenarios addressed during these conferences is practically endless.

A Significant Investment For Client Success

Minyard Morris devotes the time of 20 lawyers to these meetings three times a week, and this cost is never billed to the client. The firm’s internal cost is significant, easily calculable based on hourly rates ranging from $350 to $800 per hour. Despite this expense, Minyard Morris remains committed to these conferences because of the immense value they provide to clients. While other firms may have informal discussions among their lawyers, none match the frequency and intensity of Minyard Morris’ collaborative meetings.

These meetings are a key element that sets the firm apart in the field of family law, and clients recognize the added value they bring. By prioritizing these conferences, Minyard Morris strives to offer the best possible client service and achieve optimal outcomes. The firm firmly believes that these meetings play an essential role in delivering top-tier representation for its clients.

Navigating the tumultuous waters of family law, including divorce proceedings, child custody battles, and alimony negotiations, can significantly impact your life and the lives of your loved ones. During these challenging times, having a knowledgeable, seasoned, and compassionate legal team by your side is crucial. In Fullerton, Minyard Morris stands out as the premier family law firm, offering exceptional legal representation coupled with genuine care for their clients.

Why Choose Minyard Morris?

At Minyard Morris, our team of 20 family law attorneys brings a wealth of knowledge, boasting over 350 combined years of legal experience. Established in 1977, our firm has deep roots in Orange County, providing us with an intimate understanding of local family law intricacies. We’ve been serving Fullerton residents for over four decades, handling complex cases ranging from divorces and child custody disputes to spousal support negotiations, property division conflicts, domestic violence cases, and the nuances of premarital agreements. Our unwavering commitment to securing optimal outcomes for our clients’ family law matters is backed by decades of specialized experience.

Strategic Local Focus

For more than 46 years, our family law attorneys have been deeply embedded in the Orange County legal landscape. We don’t merely practice family law; we live and breathe it, tailoring our approach exclusively for Fullerton residents. Our team convenes thrice weekly, in person, to strategize on client cases, ensuring a collective and formidable approach that harnesses the insight and expertise of our entire family law firm. This localized focus and collaborative strategy provide our Fullerton clients with a significant advantage.

Individualized Attention

We recognize that each family law case is unique, with personal stories and circumstances behind them. Minyard Morris is dedicated to understanding your specific situation and objectives, crafting a bespoke strategy that addresses your individual needs. To us, you’re not just another case file; you’re a person facing a challenging period, and our mission is to guide and support you throughout this process.

Empathetic Support

Family law issues are not merely legal challenges; they’re personal journeys fraught with emotional turmoil. Our team is trained to handle these matters with both professionalism and empathy. At Minyard Morris, we strive to create a supportive atmosphere where our Fullerton clients can openly discuss their concerns, helping to alleviate the stress associated with legal proceedings.

Formidable Negotiation And Litigation Skills

While we always prefer amicable resolutions through negotiation and mediation, we are also fierce litigators when necessary. Our approach balances assertive advocacy with strategic negotiation, ensuring we protect your interests effectively, whether in settlement discussions or in the courtroom.

Comprehensive Legal Services

Minyard Morris offers a wide array of family law services. From navigating the intricacies of prenuptial agreements to addressing high-stakes divorces and post-divorce modifications, our expertise covers all areas of family law. This comprehensive service range ensures continuity and consistency in your legal representation, regardless of how your needs evolve over time.

In-Depth Local Knowledge

Our intimate familiarity with the local family law environment is a significant asset to our Fullerton clients. Our knowledge of the judges, court processes, and opposing attorneys in Orange County enables us to navigate the legal system efficiently, streamlining your experience and optimizing outcomes.

The Minyard Morris Advantage

While firm size isn’t everything, there are distinct advantages to choosing a larger firm like Minyard Morris. Our team meets thrice weekly, in person, to strategize and brainstorm on our clients’ cases. This collaborative approach ensures that your case benefits from the collective wisdom and experience of our entire team. Each client’s case receives input from 20 family law lawyers with combined experience exceeding 350 years. Our in-office collaboration is far more effective than remote communications, allowing us to brainstorm and strategize more efficiently. Unlike firms with multiple small offices, our single, fully staffed office ensures cohesive and continuous support for our clients. We also have the bandwidth to address any client emergency, regardless of a lawyer’s schedule, ensuring that your needs are always met promptly.

Specialized Focus On Orange County

Our 20 family law lawyers limit their practices to matters filed in Orange County, giving us unparalleled expertise in the local legal environment. By concentrating our resources within Orange County, we provide exceptional legal services without spreading ourselves thin across multiple jurisdictions.

Client-Centered Approach

At the heart of Minyard Morris is a commitment to our clients. We maintain open lines of communication, providing regular updates and remaining readily available to address our clients’ concerns. We empower our clients with knowledge, helping you make informed decisions and feel confident throughout your legal journey.

Proven Track Record

Our firm’s success is evidenced by the positive outcomes we achieve and the glowing testimonials from our clients. Many new Fullerton clients are referred by those we have previously assisted, a testament to our reputation and the trust we’ve built within the community.

Diverse Practice Areas

Our specialization in family law encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines, ensuring we can handle almost any family law case that comes our way, from intricate child custody disputes to complex financial evaluations in divorce proceedings.

Spousal Support Expertise

Our team’s comprehensive understanding of the intricate and complex spousal support laws ensures that we can guide our Fullerton clients through challenging legal landscapes. Achieving the correct ruling at the initial trial is crucial since appellate courts rarely reverse these decisions. Our adept handling of these legal matters ensures fair and just outcomes for our clients in Fullerton.

Variables In Spousal Support Orders

The law pertaining to spousal support is complex and nuanced. The statutes and case law are extensive, and judges have wide discretion in making orders. Spousal support orders are rarely reversed on appeal, making it imperative to achieve the right result in the trial court. Spousal support orders may include various components:

• The amount of spousal support
• The duration of the spousal support order
• Potential step-down of the spousal support amount
• Income findings that form part of the basis of the order
• Findings relative to the marital standard of living
• Findings relative to earnings on assets
• Imputed earning on an unemployed or underemployed spouse
• Termination date of the spousal support
• Additional components

The marital standard of living generally caps the amount of spousal support. There can be extensive conflict and litigation involved in setting the marital standard of living. This standard is not a set number, and courts have wide discretion in determining it. Various formulas are used to arrive at the marital standard of living.

Impact Of Marriage Length On Spousal Support

Subtle nuances in the law emerge when examining spousal support following marriages of different durations. Although variations between marriages lasting 9, 10, 11, or 15 years exist, the differences may be less significant than presumed, depending on the facts. The length of the marriage directly influences spousal support duration, with shorter marriages sometimes receiving similar considerations to those slightly longer. Many factors impact the duration of spousal support.

Key Concepts In Spousal Support

• Step-Down Order
• Ostler-Smith Order
• Richmond Order
• Marital Standard of Living
• Court Retention of Jurisdiction Over Spousal Support
• Non-Modifiable Spousal Support

Spousal support orders are generally modifiable unless there is a mutual agreement stating otherwise. Courts can alter or modify spousal support orders following substantial life changes such as variations in income, health status, or other significant life or economic events.

Additional Considerations In Spousal Support

• Potential for upward modification when child support ends
• Imputation of income to unemployed parties
• Imputation of earnings on assets
• Continuation of overtime work after separation
• Continuation of second job after separation
• Treatment of inheritance in divorce

An inheritance is separate property of the inheriting party. The other party has no claim to that inheritance regardless of the length of the marriage, number of children, relationship with the deceased, etc. This is a black and white issue. However, the income earned by or imputed on the inheritance may be relevant to issues of spousal support, child support, and/or attorney’s fees.

For example, if one party has a need for spousal support and the other party does not have an income sufficient to pay support up to the marital standard of living, income earned on an inheritance may be considered available as a source for spousal support. The court will look to income earned on an inheritance in determining the amount of guideline child support and spousal support. Courts also have the ability to order a party to pay part or all of the other party’s attorney’s fees and costs from an inheritance, depending on the facts. A potential future inheritance is not relevant until it is received. Courts do not speculate on potential inheritances.

Contact Us Today To Consult With A Fullerton Divorce Lawyer

If results are important, spend the time necessary to carefully compare lawyers and law firms. Retaining the right family law attorney can impact your financial and emotional life for years to come. Choose a lawyer who can be both your family law attorney and your trusted advisor during this challenging period.

When you need to consult with a family law attorney, call us at (949) 724-1111 or send us an email using our online Initial Consultation page. Let Minyard Morris be your guide through the complex world of family law, providing you with the expertise, support, and dedication you need to secure the best possible outcome for your case.