Areas of Practice

Mediation

Mediation is a more cooperative alternative to the expensive and emotionally exhausting process of dissolution litigation.  It is the best option for couples that are able to work cooperatively, minimizing the cost and conflict.  During Mediation, couples discuss child custody, division of assets and obligations, and other issues and concerns unique to their family.  Debra attempts to help the couple walk through the entire legal process to ultimately reach a legally binding settlement called the Marital Settlement Agreement in lieu of court intervention and expensive litigation.  Mediation usually takes less time than litigation and is more cost effective.  The couple splits the cost of mediation and by working through the dissolution process cooperatively, maximizes the ability to co-parent well together into the future. 

dissolution representation

Divorce, or dissolution, as it is known in California, is a term used to describe the legal termination of two parties' lawful marriage.  The court will divide assets and obligations, make orders regarding child custody and visitation, and determine child and spousal support between the parties.  California is a no fault state, which means that either party may obtain a divorce solely on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.  Generally, the process for dissolution is long and requires several filings.  At a minimum, once all procedural requirements are met, judgment can be obtained six months and one day from the date that the spouse is properly served the Petition and related documents.

Debra has worked with hundreds of individuals over the years and fundamentally believes that assisting each client emotionally and procedurally through dissolution, attempting to work cooperatively with the other party is the key to minimizing harm and maximizing the ability to co-parent well in the future.  

renew program

ReNew (Rebuilding for a New Future) is an advocacy program that Debra has created to meet the physical, emotional, financial and practical needs of an individual facing dissolution.  It is a ten session program that equips the individual to take care of themselves, recognize their strengths and start a new future as a single person with hope and anticipation.  

ReNew's Ten Step Process 

-Physical Needs:

     Step 1: Health Status-Determine if there is a need for a physical exam, treatment for any existing conditions, possible temporary treatment or medication for depression or anxiety which is common in stressful situations such as divorce

     Step 2: Grief- Address feelings over the loss of the marriage, family and future you thought you would have, walking through the stages of grief from denial to anger to depression to bargaining to acceptance of the dissolution of your marriage

     Step 3: Needs of Others in your Care-Evaluate and assist you in how best to care for those in your primary care

-Practical Issues:

     Step 4: Current Living Situation- Will one or both parties need to move, explore options for housing including realtor referrals, reviewing leases and assistance with leases if applicable

     Step 5: Procedural Assistance- Gather and organize financial information for Declaration of Disclosure, explain the steps and documents required in the dissolution process

     Step 6: Budget- Use Dave Ramsey's principles to assist you in establishing a budget based on applicable child and spousal support, potential employment, and other sources of income balanced with current financial needs v. wants

     Step 7: Employment- Many clients have been homemakers for years and Debra explores options based on your unique training and talents, assistance with job listings search and resume updating if applicable

-Personal Goals:

     Step 8: Preparing for the Future- From being a single parent to maintaining old couple friendships to opening the door to new relationships

     Step 9: Co-parenting- Address optimal communication with your ex-spouse as it relates to the children, positive and constructive communication with the children, and tools to establish a united front on core issues which will be in the best interest of the children now and in the future

     Step 10: Healing and Hope-Review of the process, seeing your success, growth and healing throughout, encouraging you to realize your strength and set immediate and long term goals that give you hope for your new future

ReNew consists of 10 weekly 1 hour sessions and costs $1500 paid by retainer prior to the start of the program.  Debra will meet with you to determine your unique needs and goals and structure the program to suit you.  For example, more time can be spent on one area or another based on your needs and steps may be skipped if not applicable to your situation.  Based on several years of experience in Family Law, Debra has worked with clients and seen the need for more than legal procedural assistance through the pain and stress of a divorce.  She developed this program after advising, mentoring, counseling and encouraging several clients of her own.  Her goal was to develop a cost-effective program that can partner with your attorney to encourage and empower you through the dissolution process.  Additional sessions or telephone consultations are also available at the rate of $150 per hour. 

unbundled services

Many individuals cannot afford to hire an attorney or only need oversight to their efforts. Recently, the State Bar of California has modified its rules so attorneys can now be hired for discrete or single aspects of a matter or case (just one part of the whole ‘bundle’). Such issues might include the preparation of some pleadings, or the representation of someone at a hearing, or to negotiate one issue on a client’s behalf.  Unbundled Services are affordable, because they allow a client to purchase only as much of an attorney’s time as he/she can afford. The client remains legally responsible for all other aspects of his/her case that are not expressly contracted by the attorney.

Debra offers partial legal services, consultations and document preparation for those clients with limited financial resources or those that have partially worked their way through the dissolution process. Unbundled Services allows the client to manage their costs while seeking the specific assistance they need. 

estate planning

Debra started her legal career in 1993 and has assisted hundreds of families in creating their personalized estate plans.  She continues to design Estate Plans that include a Revocable Family Trust, Pour-over Wills, Advanced Healthcare Directives and Durable Power of Attorney documents for both spouses.  She also has a single person trust package available for individuals wanting to re-establish their financial planning after dissolution at a reasonable package rate. 

free consultation

Debra offers each prospective client one free thirty minute consultation. If your consultation is longer than 30 minutes, her fee for the additional time is $250 per hour, billed on a tenth-hour (0.1 hour = 6 minutes) pro rata basis.  Her office requires 24 hour advance notice of cancellations or scheduling changes. All consultations must be paid by cash or credit card at the time of the consultation, unless she is retained.  Retainer fees vary greatly, depending on the complexity of your case.  

To maximize your time, please provide the following for your consultation:

• Any court documents you have already received from the other party, and/or any court documents you have already filed.
• If you are beginning a dissolution or legal separation, it is a good idea to have a general idea of your assets and liabilities.
• If you are in the midst of a dissolution, provide current court orders.