Category: DIVORCE

  • ALIMONY / SPOUSAL SUPPORT

    ALIMONY / SPOUSAL SUPPORT

    Spousal Support (otherwise known as alimony or maintenance) is intended to help the supported spouse to maintain his or her accustomed (marital) standard of living, and to help ease the transition to living as a single person. Either party may be ordered to pay spousal support. No statute requires that…

  • PATERNITY

    PATERNITY

    Due to the emotional and financial implications, paternity issues can be extremely complex and inflammatory. Attorney Downs represents both mothers and fathers seeking to establish paternity and those seeking to refute paternity. With regard to married couples, there is a statutory presumption that the husband is, in fact, the biological…

  • CHILD SUPPORT

    CHILD SUPPORT

    In California, as in most states, parents going through divorce are responsible for the financial support of their children. Child support is the money paid by one divorcing parent to the other parent as his or her contribution to the support of the minor children. (Child support is also appropriate…

  • CHILD CUSTODY / VISITATION

    CHILD CUSTODY / VISITATION

    CUSTODY Custody can be one of the most complicated and emotional issues involved in a dissolution of marriage. Children can become a divorce’s unseen and unheard victims. The court is responsible for protecting the children’s well-being, even if doing so conflicts with the wishes of either or both of the…

  • PROPERTY DIVISION

    PROPERTY DIVISION

    MARITAL PROPERTY CONSIDERATIONS Community Property Generally “community property” is all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in California except as otherwise provided by statute.  While not intended as an exclusive statement describing all property that might be classified as community…

  • DIVORCE / LEGAL SEPARATION

    DIVORCE / LEGAL SEPARATION

    Beyond the considerable emotional pain, the end of a marriage is legally complex. Consult a lawyer if your marriage is ending. You will need sound professional advise to determine child custody, financial support, and to make a fair division of the property of the marital community. Depending on your circumstances,…

  • FREE CONSULTATION

    OC DIVORCE LAWYERS Specializing in All Areas of Family Law. Attorney Downs is also certified to Practice in The U.S. District Court and The U.S. Bankruptcy Court. FREE CONSULTATION You are not alone We are here to help you. If you are experiencing Family Law issues, Attorney Joseph H. Bawerman can…

  • PRACTICE AREAS

    DIVORCE / LEGAL SEPARATION Beyond the considerable emotional pain, the end of a marriage is legally complex. Consult a lawyer if your marriage is ending. You will need sound professional advise to determine child custody, financial support, and to make a fair division of the property of the marital community.…

  • FIRM OVERVIEW

    Joseph H. Bowerman, originally from Michigan, is a recognized expert in the field of family law and divorce. After receiving his degree in economics from Eastern Michigan University, he continued his studies at Western State University School of Law in Fullerton, California, where he was awarded a J.D. degree. Over…

  • TESTIMONIALS

    OC DIVORCE LAWYERS Specializing in All Areas of Family Law. Attorney Downs is also certified to Practice in The U.S. District Court and The U.S. Bankruptcy Court. TESTIMONIALS Names and Locations have been changed to protect the confidentiality of our clients. DEAR MONIKA & ATTORNEY DOWNS: With deep appreciation for the…