Practice Areas
Family Law Attorney Serving California
My Story
Unbundled Legal Services
Contact Me
Trust the Law Office of Linda C. Garrett to Handle Your Family Law Matter
A disruption within the family can cause turbulence for everyone involved. As a California family-law attorney, my commitment is protecting my client’s best interests. Based in Solano County, CA, The Law Office of Linda C. Garret’s areas of practice include, but are not limited to, divorce, legal separation, property disputes, and custody, visitation and paternity rights and so much more.
With over 20 years of experience practicing family law in California, I have built strong relationships with clients navigating the complicated nature of modern-day family dynamics.
I offer traditional legal representation as well as Unbundled Legal Services
Practice Areas
Divorce
Divorce proceedings can be emotionally and financially taxing for all parties involved. I will work closely with you to ensure that the assets are divided fairly according to the laws of California. Additionally, I am committed to helping you protect your rights as a parent if children are involved in the case.
- Contested Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- Divorce by Default
- Bifurcation of Status (e.g., Divorce Now and Property Division Later)
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Mediation
- Military Divorce
- Post-Decree Motions
- Post-Judgment Modifications
- Hidden Assets
- Unreported/Under-Reported Income
- Bankruptcy and Divorce
- Domestic Violence and Divorce
- Moore/Mardsen (Valuation of Real-Estate as Mixed Asset)
- Pereira/Van Kamp (Valuation of Businesses as Mixed Asset)
- Reimbursement Claims (Separate Property, FC 2640, Watts, Epstein)
- Housing Issues
- Determining Date of Separation (When Contested)
Legal Separation
Legal separation proceedings can be complex and challenging to navigate. I understand the nuances of California legal separation laws and strive to protect my clients’ best interests throughout the process. When filing for legal separation in California, it is important to remember that all assets acquired during the marriage must be divided equitably between both parties, if there is not a settlement agreement between the parties that says otherwise.
Domestic Partnership Rights
I understand that domestic partnerships and the laws related to these issues are unique and complex; thus, requiring careful consideration and discussion. I will work with you to determine how to achieve the best outcome for our case, to include undertaking a “thinking out of the box” approach if necessary.
Same-Sex Marriage
I advocate for the rights and protections of all couples. If you are seeking a dissolution of your same-sex marriage, I can help you navigate through this process, while ensuring that your best interests are taken into account throughout.
Same-sex couples can face many unique issues when it comes to family law matters. I provide sound advice and handle any potential conflicts with ease and professionalism.
Annulment
Annulment is a legal process that affords a party to ask a Court to annul their marriage and undo the marital status. It is important to understand that unlike divorce, an annulment does not divide assets or provide any financial support for either party.
Annulments are rare and difficult to procure in Court due to the few exceptions allowed by law for such a request. Couple these restrictions with the need for substantiating your case with relevant evidence. I have experience and success in this area of law.
Property Issues (Assets & Debt)
I am committed to helping my clients understand their rights and obligations in connection with all aspects of property division of all types.
- Characterization
- Valuation
- Division
- Family Code 2640 Reimbursement Claims
- Epstein Credits
- Watt’s Charges
- Moore/Mardsen (Real-Estate) Valuations
- Pereira/Van Kamp (Business) valuations
Retirement Assets
- Types: Pensions, 401(k)s, 403(b), IRAS, Thrift Savings Plans and others
- Determination
- Joinders
- Division
- Arrears (Credits to Non-Employee Spouse)
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)—Private and Governmental
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) as they relate to Spousal Support Issues
Spousal Support (Alimony)
- Types (Temporary versus Permanent)
- Preliminary Determination of Spousal Support
- Establishment of Support (Temporary and/or Permanent)
- Determination of Arrears
- Modification of Spousal Support
- Cohabitation Affecting Support Issues
- Failure of Payee to Seek Work within Reasonable Period of Time
Father’s Rights
From filing a petition for establishment of paternity of a child, to establishing a parenting plan or post-decree modifications, I am here to represent fathers who wish to be actively engaged in their children’s lives. Regardless of marital status or current living situations, I believe that fathers should have equal access and opportunities for involvement in their children’s lives.
My practice specializes in father’s rights cases as it relates to protecting the best interests of the children. Children not only need their mothers, but also their fathers.
Paternity (Establishment & Rights)
I am committed to helping fathers determine paternity quickly so that all parties involved can focus on what matters most – creating a safe and secure environment for their children. I will explain each step of the process clearly so that the father involved understands their rights and responsibilities.
Children (Custody/Visitation)
- Child Custody
- Child Visitation
- Child Relocation Requests (Move-Away)
- Registration of Out of State Custody/Visitation Orders
- Modification of Orders re Custody and Visitation
- Child Abduction by Other Parent (Domestic)
- Domestic Violence affecting Custody/Visitation Rights
- Parental Alienation (Parental-Estrangement Type Behaviors)
Child Support
- Establishment of Child Support
- Modification of Child Support
- Calculation of Support (Dissomaster Report)
- Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)
- Determination of Arrears
- Hidden and/or Under-Reported Income
- Determination of Visitation Percentage
- Income Withholding Orders (Wage Garnishment)
Rights Issues
- Rights of Unmarried Mother (Never Married)
- Rights of Unmarried Father (Never Married)
- Parental Rights—in General
- Grandparent Rights
- Guardianship
Restraining Orders / Domestic Violence (DVRO)
My aim is always to ensure that my clients receive the protection they need from their abusers, while securing their rights throughout the process. With experience in all aspects of family-law connected with DVRO cases – from filing for relief at the initial stage, through post-decree modifications and/or renewals – I am committed to providing sound advice and handling potential conflicts with professionalism and sensitivity.
Conversely, I also have extensive experience in assisting individuals who have been wrongly accused of domestic violence
Other Areas
- Violation of Family Law Court Orders (or Stipulations)
- Change of Venue (From One County to Another County)
- Change of Jurisdiction (From One State to Another State)
- Peremptory Challenges (Circumstances When a Judge Needs/Should Be Replaced)
- Transmutations (Analysis of When Separate Property Becomes Community Property or Vice Versa)
Office Address
One Harbor Center Suite 320c
Suisun City, CA 94585
Mailing Address
2401 Waterman Blvd Suite 4-PMB#182
Fairfield, CA 94534
