What is Family Law in Sacramento County?

by | Nov 13, 2013 | Firm News |

Sacramento County Family Law is a broad term that refers to a variety of laws that affect the legal status and interactions of families.  Sacramento family law usually includes laws addressing divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, debt division, tax issues, changing the wife’s name back to her unmarried name, and a few other issues.  Family law also includes parentage actions (when the parents are unmarried and have children of their relationship), adoption cases, and child welfare and dependency actions involving Child Protective Services.  Family law can also, unfortunately, include domestic violence issues.

If your Sacramento case has divorce, child custody, spousal support, child support, division of assets or debts, it is considered a family law case.  If your partner and you are unmarried, but have children, you are involved in a family law parentage case.  If your children are involved in an action with Child Protective Services action, you are involved in a family law/dependency case.  If your spouse has committed domestic violence against you or your children, you are involved in a family law domestic violence case.

Sacramento family law cases are heard in the family law, juvenile dependency courts, and domestic violence courts.  Family law courts are similar to general civil courts, but there are special judges appointed to hear family law cases.  The civil law judges will not hear family law matters and will dismiss any case filed in their courts.  Also, family law cases are heard in a separate courthouse or department than other civil cases.

If you are involved in any one of the Sacramento family law areas identified above, you should strongly consider hiring a Sacramento family law attorney immediately.  Please consider giving us a call.  We are experienced family law attorneys and we can discuss your legal rights in a free half-hour attorney consultation.