Location

Our Office

  • The Law Office of Joseph P. Downs
    7700 Irvine Center Dr #800,
    Irvine, CA 92618

Phone

  • (714) 538-3730

Why Choose Us?

Our Orange County law firm is committed to providing unparalleled personal attention to every case. We recognize that each client’s situation is unique, and we tailor our legal solutions accordingly. With the dedicated team of attorney Joseph Downs, we listen attentively, offer guidance, and fiercely advocate for our clients. Trust that your case will receive the utmost care it deserves, ensuring the best possible outcome.

Experienced

Our team brings over 35 years of expertise to every case we handle.

Client-centric

We prioritize our clients’ needs and tailor our approach accordingly.

Highly Regarded

Our firm is recognized for delivering exceptional legal services.

Legal Support

We provide comprehensive support throughout your legal journey.

FAQs

Discover helpful answers to some frequently asked questions about our law firm and the services we offer.

To initiate a divorce in California, you must first meet residency requirements—living in the state for at least six months and three months in the county where you plan to file. Next, you’ll need to complete and file specific forms with the court, including a Petition (Form FL-100), and serve the other party. Our firm guides you through this process meticulously, ensuring all legal requirements are met and providing expert advice on issues like property division, child custody, and support to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

California courts prioritize the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. Factors considered include the child’s age, health, emotional ties to each parent, and their respective ability to provide a stable environment. The court may also consider any history of abuse or neglect. Our attorneys advocate for our clients to ensure that custody arrangements reflect these considerations, offering strategic representation to secure arrangements that promote the child’s well-being while protecting parental rights.

In California, grandparents can petition for visitation rights if it is in the best interests of the grandchild, particularly in cases where the parents are divorced, separated, or one parent is deceased. The court will consider factors such as the pre-existing relationship between the grandparent and grandchild and the impact of visitation on the child’s welfare. Our firm assists grandparents in navigating the legal process, providing compassionate support and skilled advocacy to help secure visitation rights and maintain meaningful relationships with their grandchildren.

Child support in California is calculated using guidelines that consider each parent’s income, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, and additional expenses such as healthcare and education. The goal is to ensure that children receive adequate financial support based on their parents’ abilities. Our attorneys have extensive experience in child support calculations and representation, ensuring that support orders are fair, accurate, and in compliance with California law to meet the child’s needs and protect our clients’ interests.

Yes, child custody and support orders in California can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances that affects the child’s welfare. Changes such as a parent’s relocation, change in income, or a child’s changing needs may warrant modification. Our firm assists clients in filing modification requests with the court, advocating for adjustments that reflect current circumstances and best serve the child’s interests. We provide strategic guidance and representation throughout the modification process to ensure our clients’ rights and the child’s well-being are protected.

Legal separation in California allows couples to live apart while remaining legally married, retaining benefits such as healthcare coverage and tax benefits that come with marriage. It provides a structured framework for resolving issues like property division, child custody, and support without terminating the marital status. This can be beneficial for couples who are unsure about divorce, have religious or financial reasons, or hope for reconciliation. Our firm educates clients on the advantages of legal separation, guiding them through the process with personalized advice and strategic representation to achieve their desired outcomes.

In domestic violence cases, our attorneys provide compassionate legal representation and support to victims seeking protection and justice. We assist clients in obtaining restraining orders (also known as protective orders), ensuring their safety and well-being. Our firm advocates for victims’ rights in court, presenting evidence of abuse and working to secure legal remedies that may include exclusive use of a residence or supervised visitation arrangements. We prioritize client safety and empowerment, offering skilled advocacy and support throughout the legal process to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients.

Establishing paternity in California involves legal proceedings to determine a child’s biological father and establish parental rights and responsibilities. This process typically includes genetic testing and court hearings where evidence is presented to establish paternity. Our firm assists clients in navigating paternity actions, advocating for their rights and ensuring fair outcomes that benefit the child’s welfare. We provide comprehensive legal guidance, from initiating paternity suits to representing clients in court, to secure parental rights and responsibilities under California law.

Drafting a prenuptial agreement in California involves careful consideration of each party’s assets, debts, and financial expectations before marriage. Our attorneys work closely with clients to identify and protect their interests, drafting comprehensive agreements that address property division, spousal support, and other financial matters in the event of divorce or death. We ensure that prenuptial agreements comply with California law and provide legal advice tailored to our clients’ specific circumstances, offering peace of mind and protection for their financial future.

Enforcing court orders for spousal support or child custody in California requires legal action to ensure compliance with the terms of the court order. Our firm assists clients in enforcing court orders through legal proceedings, including filing motions for enforcement and representing clients in court hearings. We advocate for our clients’ rights and interests, seeking timely and appropriate enforcement of court orders to ensure that spousal support or child custody arrangements are upheld and that our clients receive the support and protection they deserve.