KP Family Law & Mediation LLP

Dissolution, Annulment & Legal Separation

Ending a marriage or domestic partnership is rarely a one-size-fits-all process. California law provides several pathways, including dissolution, legal separation, and annulment, each with distinct legal and practical implications.

We help clients understand their options and choose an approach aligned with their goals, finances, and family circumstances. Matters may be resolved through negotiation, mediation, collaborative processes, or—when necessary—litigation. Whether your case involves complex financial issues, custody considerations, or a desire to minimize conflict, we provide clear guidance at every stage.

In addition to representing clients in court, we frequently serve as consulting counsel for individuals participating in mediation, offering strategic advice and document review to ensure informed and durable agreements.

Asset Division

Asset division in California family law cases often involves sophisticated financial, valuation, and tax considerations. As a community property state, California generally requires equal division of community assets and debts, making proper characterization and valuation critical.

We guide clients through each stage of the asset division process, from identifying and investigating assets and liabilities, to determining whether they are community or separate property, to valuation and ultimate allocation. Our experience includes matters involving real property, retirement accounts, investment portfolios, closely held businesses, other business interests, stock options, and other complex financial interests.

We work closely with clients to evaluate settlement options that reflect both legal entitlements and practical realities. As part of our legal team, experts such as forensic accountants, appraisers, and business valuators became crucial to achieving our client's desired outcomes. When agreement cannot be reached, we develop and implement effective litigation strategies aimed at protecting our clients’ financial interests.

Child & Spousal Support

Child and spousal support serve different purposes and are governed by different legal standards in the California Family Code. Child support is generally calculated using a statutory formula based on factors such as income, parenting time, and allowable tax deductions, while spousal support involves broader discretion and is often negotiated based on the unique circumstances of the parties.

Spousal support also has two components: temporary support and permanent support. Temporary support is paid while the divorce case is pending and it is often based on the same calculator program as child support. Whereas permanent support is based on the analysis of several factors as governed by Family Code section 4320, including the marital standard of living, if one parent paused their career to focus on child rearing, domestic violence, separate property of each party, and the length of the marriage.

We assist clients in determining whether support is owed, the appropriate amount, and the expected duration. Our representation includes initial support determinations, modifications, and enforcement matters. Whether support issues are resolved by agreement or require determination by the court, we provide clear guidance grounded in California law and focused on practical, sustainable outcomes.

Child Custody & Visitation

Child custody issues are often the most emotionally charged aspect of a family law case. Every family is different, but the guiding principle in all custody matters is the best interests of the children.

We work with clients to develop custody and parenting plans that promote stability, continuity, and meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible. Our goal is to help families reach thoughtful, workable agreements through negotiation or mediation, while remaining fully prepared to litigate contested child custody issues when agreements cannot be reached.

Our experience includes a broad range of custody matters, including joint and sole legal custody, physical custody schedules, high-conflict cases, domestic violence considerations, children's preferences, and move-away requests. When necessary, we collaborate with mental health professionals and other experts to help protect children’s wellbeing and support informed decision-making.

Pre-Marital (Prenups) & Post-Marital Agreements

Pre-marital agreements are entered into before marriage, while post-marital agreements are created after a marriage has begun. Both allow couples to define their rights and responsibilities with respect to property, income, and support in the event of separation or divorce.

We assist clients in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing pre- and post-marital agreements that are tailored to their unique circumstances and designed to withstand future scrutiny. Our approach balances legal precision with sensitivity to the personal and financial dynamics involved, helping clients protect their interests while fostering clarity and transparency at the outset.

Domestic Violence

We represent individuals seeking protection from domestic violence as well as those facing allegations of abuse in family law proceedings. Domestic violence is defined broadly under California law and may include not only physical harm, but also harassment, stalking, coercive behavior, threats, and other conduct that causes a person to feel unsafe or controlled.

A finding of domestic violence can have far-reaching consequences. Courts may issue restraining orders, make orders requiring one party to move out of the family residence, restrict access to firearms, and impose orders affecting child custody, visitation, financial control, and support. Because the standard of proof in civil domestic violence proceedings is lower than in criminal cases, these matters require careful, strategic handling from the outset.

We guide clients through the domestic violence restraining order process with clarity and care, whether seeking protection or defending against allegations. Our role is to help clients understand their options, assess risks, and pursue outcomes that prioritize safety, fairness, and long-term stability.

Mediation

Mediation is a confidential, voluntary, and non-adversarial process that allows parties to retain control over the outcome of their family law dispute, rather than placing those decisions in the hands of a judge. Through mediation, individuals have the opportunity to resolve issues collaboratively, with guidance and structure, in a way that reflects their own priorities and sense of fairness.

We serve both as neutral mediators and as consulting counsel to parties participating in mediation. In each role, we help facilitate productive conversations, identify areas of agreement, and work through complex legal, financial, and parenting issues in an organized and respectful manner. Mediation allows parties to gather information transparently, explore creative solutions, and, where appropriate, work with neutral professionals such as financial experts, appraisers, or child specialists.

Because mediation operates on a timeline set by the parties rather than the court, it can offer greater flexibility and efficiency. Most importantly, mediation empowers families to craft durable agreements that are informed by the law but tailored to their unique circumstances and long-term goals.

Paternity Actions

Establishing legal parentage is a critical first step in protecting both a child’s rights and a parent’s relationship with their child. In California, paternity cases determine who a child’s legal parents are—and with that determination come rights and responsibilities related to custody, visitation, child support, and decision-making.

Our firm represents mothers, fathers, and alleged parents in all aspects of paternity matters, whether the goal is to establish parentage, challenge or set aside a presumption of parentage, or resolve custody and support issues once parentage is established.

Post-Judgment Matters

A court judgment is not always the final chapter. As families grow and circumstances change, existing court orders may need to be enforced, clarified, or modified. Post-judgment actions address issues that arise after a divorce, legal separation, or parentage judgment has been entered.  Our firm represents clients in a wide range of post-judgment matters, helping them navigate ongoing legal obligations while protecting their rights and long-term interests.

We assist clients in seeking or opposing modifications related to child custody and parenting time; child support; spousal support; and parenting plan provisions. We also help clients pursue enforcement remedies when support is unpaid, parenting time is interfered with, or other judgment terms are being ignored. We work with clients in seeking clarification of ambiguous orders and resolving practical issues that arise in day-to-day co-parenting or post-divorce financial arrangements.  

Post-judgment matters often require a careful balance between assertive advocacy and problem-solving. With thoughtful guidance and clear legal strategy, post-judgment actions can bring stability, enforceability, and clarity to an evolving family situation.