Retaining a Divorce Lawyer in Newport Coast

Divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences one has to deal with. Some people compare it to a death in the family. In a way, that is a relevant analysis, in that a relationship that was the center of a number of couple’s lives is dead or dying. A divorce impacts relationships with children and generally impacts the social life of both parties. For the residents of Newport Coast, having a skilled legal team by your side can make this difficult time far more manageable. It’s crucial to choose your divorce lawyer carefully after thorough research. Comparing lawyers and law firms can provide valuable insights into what is being offered — and what is not.

Established in 1977, Minyard Morris has devoted over 46 years to serving Newport Beach and its neighbors. We have been representing residents of Newport Coast since its development started in the mid-1980’s. Minyard Morris is comprised of 20 dedicated divorce lawyers who collectively bring nearly 350 years to their representation of our clients, all practicing exclusively in Orange County. Our team includes nine Family Law Specialists certified by the State of California, a testament to our depth of expertise and commitment to this field. The firm and its founding partner have called Newport Beach their home for over 20 years.

Our firm is recognized as the largest firm exclusively practicing family law in Orange County. This distinction comes from our commitment to understanding our clients’ needs, achieving their goals, and providing exceptional client service. We strive to represent our Newport Coast clients in a way that helps them transition from a broken relationship to a happier chapter as efficiently as possible, emphasizing the urgency of resolving their cases swiftly and successfully.

In 2024, the esteemed and independent lawyer rating service, Best Lawyers in America® listed 19 of 20 Minyard Morris family law attorneys.

Our Family Law Practice Areas

Minyard Morris handles most issues involved in the area of law referred to as family law, including:

• Child Custody
• Property Division
• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Attacking or Enforcing Prenuptial Agreements
• Characterization of Separate Property
• Breach of Fiduciary Duties/Misappropriation
• Domestic Violence
• Valuation of Separate Business Interests
• High Net Worth Estates
• High Conflict Child Custody Disputes
• Modification of Child Support
• Modification of Spousal Support
• Modification of Child Custody Orders

Division of Community Property

Family law is more than just handling sensitive issues like child custody or domestic violence; it involves the equitable division of community property. While this doesn’t necessarily mean a literal 50/50 split of each asset, it does ensure that the assets each party to a Newport Coast divorce receives are of equal value.

Community assets are awarded to each party in a way that each receives fifty per cent of the assets. If the specific assets cannot be awarded in a manner to achieve an exactly equal division, a court can order an asset sold to achieve the equal mathematical division.

Dividing assets equally sounds rather simple and dividing assets like cash or stock is easy. However, the complications present themselves when the assets to be divided have values that are disputed by the parties. In other words, if the community assets include assets like businesses, professional practices, non-publicly traded investments, residential real estate, intellectual property, alternative investments, rare collectibles, etc., the issues become valuation of the hard to value assets. This can often require experts in the valuation of these assets. Experts rarely agree on the value of assets which present a challenge to the settlement of many Newport Coast divorces.

A very common dispute relates to the valuation of a home. It is not uncommon for experts to have opinions that differ by more than five per cent. When five percent is applied to many homes in Newport Coast, it is easy to see how resolving the difference can be problematic. One solution is to sell the home and to let the market decide the value.

Determining whether to retain or sell a home can become a very significant issue in a divorce for a number of reasons. Parties can negotiate any value or terms the choose to. However, if the court makes an order relative to the award of a residence to a party, it cannot deduct costs of sale or capital gains taxes. These two costs are speculative and are ignored by the court. A party retaining a home may benefit from a low property tax basis. The courts must also ignore that issue.

The nuances of property division make it imperative that a person retain a law firm with extensive experience in these matters. Attempting to represent yourself or retaining a lawyer without the “right” experience for your case is what people refer to as “penny wise and pound foolish.” What is the real cost of NOT hiring an experienced divorce for your Newport Coast divorce.

Contact Our Expert Newport Coast Family Law Attorneys

For residents of Newport Coast facing the prospect of divorce, choosing the right lawyer is more than a necessity—it’s a pivotal step towards a hopeful future. If results matter, then the law firm you hire matters. No two lawyers are alike and no one lawyer is the right match for every client.

Hire the law firm that Newport Beach and Newport Coast knows and trusts. Call Minyard Morris at 949-724-1111 or use our online contact form. Choosing a divorce attorney is about more than legal expertise—it’s about finding a supportive partnership to help prepare you for the next chapter of your life.