Family Law Group

The Family Law Group at Lonich & Patton, LLP is one of the largest family law practices in the Bay Area and regularly represents business owners, executives, foreign nationals and their spouses in complex divorce and family law matters.

Our certified Family Law Specialists* have the ability to consult with experienced attorneys in the Business and Estate Planning Groups of the firm to resolve issues for family law clients. Family law cases often involve business, real estate, tax, and trust and estate matters and benefit from the expertise of our practice groups. When outside help is needed we collaborate with experienced forensic accountants, business valuators, real estate appraisers and mental health professionals.

Resolving family law matters is often emotional. During these trying times, we are here to help you protect your family, your assets and your future. At Lonich & Patton, LLP, we will fully prepare you for the divorce process and guide you through the accompanying issues, including:

• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Domestic Violence
• Child Custody and Visitation

Our attorneys also have significant experience developing effective pre-nuptial or post nuptial agreements and can help you pursue any modifications to an original divorce agreement.

We recognize that high-asset divorces can be extremely complex. Many of the legal and financial issues involved in these cases are convoluted. Resolving issues involving business ownership interests, determination of joint and separate property, child custody and support, spousal support and qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) require significant family law and business acumen. Our ability to draw on resources from inside and outside the firm ensures that our clients will receive quality legal advice and representation during divorce planning, settlement negotiation, mediation and any necessary trial.

More than 90% of our divorce cases are resolved through mediation, arbitration, or other forms of collaborative law. However, when a settlement cannot be reached we rely upon our considerable trial experience to pursue favorable results for our clients.

Partner Michael E. Lonich offers several alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services such as mediation, arbitration, and "neutral evaluation" of disputes for other litigants and attorneys. He has extensive experience in this emerging area of the law.

*As certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Where We Practice

Lonich & Patton, LLP handles matters for clients in northern California, especially San Jose and Silicon Valley. Our services are available to anyone within the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. For a full listing of areas where we practice, please click here.