Antioch / East Contra Costa County Divorce Attorney

At the Law Office of William C. Ulrich I have practiced in the area of California divorce law for thirty years. I assist clients in preparing and filing all the documents and family law forms in both contested and uncontested divorce cases. I represent clients through every stage of a California divorce, including hearings for temporary child custody or visitation as well as for temporary child or spousal support (alimony). Some clients, for various reasons, prefer to pursue a legal separation action rather than a divorce. Legal Separations have unique advantages and disadvantages as compared to divorce, and I carefully explain the options to the client, and assist them through the process of Legal Separation, if that is their preferred course of action. This can, as in a divorce, also include California child custody and visitation issues, child support and spousal support issues, as well as California community and separate property division, including debts.

Property Division

California divorces involve issues of community property and separate property, which are defined by California statutes. I carefully advise my clients as to their rights in these areas, and as to the applicable law, and work with them to maximize their proper division of community property and separate property interests in their divorce action. Many of the marital estates in which I deal have a house, a retirement plan, or plans, and there are also sometimes issues of family businesses, multiple real estate investments, and other investment and financial assets. It is important to analyze all of these matters and advise the client, and I do my utmost to carry this out in my representation. My goal is to effectuate a fair and just settlement or Judgment on behalf of my client as to all property division issues.

Child Custody and Visitation Issues

Unfortunately, children are often the subject of dispute between the parties to a divorce. This is a very sensitive and difficult area of the law, and I come to it from my own family background, including a divorce in which I was awarded custody of my son.

I am sensitive to the needs of children, and try my utmost to educate my clients as to the necessity of "divorcing" their own emotional issues in the divorce, and possible antagonism towards their spouse from the real needs of their children. I have broad experience in crafting and fashioning various custodial situations, including shared parenting arrangements, hopefully to the benefit of the children.

It is sometimes necessary to seek temporary restraining orders as to child custody, and I am experienced in this procedure and practice, and employ it when necessary to serve the needs of my client and the children. I also have experience in dealing with issues of child abduction, "move-aways", and other related child custody/visitation issues.