Frequently Asked Questions

Family Law FAQ

What are the legal grounds for obtaining a divorce?
How long does a divorce take?
When does the six month waiting period begin?
Who determines how assets are divided in a divorce?
Will I have to pay my spouse's attorney fees?
How do courts determine who gets custody of children in a divorce?
What is joint custody?
How is child support determined in a divorce or paternity case?
Is child support tax deductible?
What happens if a parent does not pay court-ordered child support?
How is spousal support determined in a divorce case?
How long will I receive, or pay, support?
If I remarry, will I still receive spousal support?
How do I modify the current order for spousal support?
Do grandparents have visitation rights to their grandchildren?
What is a Premarital Agreement?
Should I Enter Into A Premarital Agreement?
What if I do not have a will?
What if I do have a will or trust?
What if I have a Health Care Directive?
What if I have given my spouse Power of Attorney?
Where can I get more information?

Estate Planning FAQ

What is Estate Planning?
What Is Included In My Estate?
Who Needs Estate Planning?
How Can Estate Planning Help Me?
What Questions Should I Ask Myself in Order to Help My Attorney Create a Successful Estate Plan?
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?
What is a Will?
What is the Probate Process?
Can I Change or Revoke my Will After it is Created?
Does a Will Take Care of Distributing All of my Property?
What will Happen if I Do Not Create a Will or an Estate Plan?
What is a Revocable Living Trust?
What are Irrevocable Trusts?
Who Should I Appoint as Trustee?
I Already Have a Living Trust, Do I Still Need a Will?
What Should I Do if I want my Assets to "Pour Over" into my Trust after my Death?
What Else Should I Do to Protect Myself and My Assets?
How Should I Provide for my Minor Children?

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.