How is child custody determined?

In California, child custody is determined based on the 'best interests of children' which includes frequent and continuing contact with both parents, considering all the facts of each case.

What is private judging?

Private judging is an alternative to public court where a private judge helps make decisions related to property division, custody, and support issues outside of a public courthouse.

What types of cases does the Viola Law Firm handle?

Viola Law Firm handles family law matters, personal injury cases, real estate litigation, and business disputes.

How can I establish parentage of my child?

Parties wishing to establish parentage in California have several avenues under law, necessary for establishing legal rights, custody, visitation rights, and child support.

Can family law issues be resolved outside of court?

Many family law issues can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, avoiding the need for a trial.

What is the benefit of hiring a private judge?

Hiring a private judge can offer a more private, personalized, and often quicker resolution to legal disputes compared to public court proceedings.

SAN MATEO CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW OFFICE AND CIVIL LITIGATION LAW FIRM

Start From A Position Of Strength

Q: What does the divorce process involve?

Divorce involves determining custody, visitation and support of children, division of financial assets like investment accounts, business interests and real estate, and spousal support, among other issues.

Q: What should I expect when working with Viola Law Firm?

Expect clear communication, accessibility, honest guidance grounded in decades of experience, and a commitment to fight hard for your interests.

For 35 years, we’ve successfully represented Bay Area clients in complex family law disputes and civil litigation. Our San Mateo attorneys work extremely hard for our clients, providing personalized service far beyond what they expect.

Divorce

Deciding to divorce or dissolving a marriage can be a difficult and emotional process. Divorce often requires determining custody, visitation and support of children, division of financial assets like investment accounts, business interests and real estate, and spousal support, among other issues.

Child Custody And Visitation

When a divorce or separation involves children, issues of child custody and visitation are critical. In California, there is a presumption in family law that the “best interests of children” are served by frequent and continuing contact with both parents. However, the court takes into consideration all the facts of each case to determine the most appropriate child custody arrangement and timeshare schedule.

Family Law

Going through a divorce, custody dispute or other family law matter can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. At Viola Law Firm in San Mateo, our attorneys ensure that clients are provided with all the information they need to make informed decisions in their case.

Paternity And Parental Rights

Many children are born to couples who are not married. Parties wishing to establish parentage of their children have several avenues under California law. Determining parentage is necessary for parents to establish legal rights, custody rights and visitation rights and child support.

Private Judging

Private judging is an alternative to public court. Rather than holding hearings at a public courthouse, you can hire a private judge to help make decisions related to your property division, custody and support issues. Both parties and their attorneys (if applicable) participate in the process. At Viola Law Firm, we have a retired commissioner/judicial officer who is knowledgeable about family law. She will preside over your divorce with fairness and neutrality.

Litigation

Our civil litigation law firm in San Mateo has a diverse litigation practice in addition to its full-service family law department. For many years, the attorneys at San Mateo’s Viola Law Firm have successfully handled personal injury cases arising from serious injury or wrongful death. In addition, we have built a solid reputation in real estate litigation, representing clients against brokers or contractors, as well as resolving landlord-tenant disputes. Our clients also include individuals involved in business litigation, such as partner or shareholder disputes.

Legal Solutions For Challenging Times

When families are broken apart and traumatized, Viola Law Firm digs in to reduce that trauma while guiding our clients through the maze of legal processes they face.

With more than 80 years of combined legal experience, our collaborative approach is founded on a deep and diverse base of expertise in family law. Divorce and family law issues are extremely personal. As your attorneys in San Mateo, we can provide much-needed perspective while working hard for your best interests.

Our Litigation Experience Can Help Your Case Succeed

Many family law issues can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Whether or not your case seems likely to go to trial, the lawyers and attorneys at our San Mateo law firm will prepare it as if it would. Preparing for trial helps us uncover the strengths and weaknesses of our case, as well as the other side’s, which allows us to negotiate from a position of strength.

In addition to our full-service family law practice, our San Mateo attorneys have successfully litigated personal injury cases arising from serious injury or death, as well as real estate and business disputes.

Our Litigation Experience Can Help Your Case Succeed

Many family law issues can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Whether or not your case seems likely to go to trial, we prepare it as if it will. Preparing for trial helps us uncover the strengths and weaknesses of our case, as well as the other side’s, which allows us to negotiate from a position of strength.

In addition to our full-service family law practice, our attorneys have successfully litigated personal injury cases arising from serious injury or death, as well as real estate and business disputes.

Meet Our Team

Dedicated To Getting You Results

When you work with our attorneys in San Mateo, you can expect clear communication, accessibility when you need our counsel and honest guidance grounded in decades of experience. We will fight hard for you while also giving you realistic expectations about the process and the challenges ahead.

650-343-6400