A divorce, child custody case or other family law case does not always have to be a traumatic, combative experience. Even when the issues are complex, your future is at stake and emotions are running high, I will work hard to protect your legal rights while avoiding unnecessary conflict and stress.

As an experienced San Francisco Family Law Attorney, I provide personal service with integrity to men and women throughout Northern California. I care about my clients and am committed to obtaining the best results possible. My goal is to resolve matters quickly, to save clients the trauma of litigation, but I will vigorously defend your rights in court when needed.

I am committed to providing excellent legal representation and personal service at an affordable cost. I am a highly effective litigator, but I take great pride in my ability to settle cases fairly without the high cost of unnecessary litigation.

As a skilled San Francisco Family Law Attorney, I am able to guide clients through a variety of family law issues, including:

• Child Custody
• Child & Spousal Support Issues
• Move Away Cases
• Domestic Violence
• Property Division
• Paternity
• Alimony
• Adoption
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Marital Settlement Agreements
• Legal Separation
• Post-Judgment Actions
• Visitation
• Jurisdictional Issues
• Divorce Mediation
  

The Importance of Child Support:
Child support covers everything a child needs, and even more, during the growth and formative years. A parent's first and principal obligation is to support his or her minor children according to the parent's circumstances and station in life, and children should share in the standard of living of both parents.

The amount of a child support award is more than a question of bare necessities. If the child has a wealthy parent, that child is entitled to, and therefore needs something more than the bare necessities of life. Where the supporting parent enjoys a lifestyle that far exceeds the custodial parent's living standard, child support must to some degree reflect that more opulent lifestyle. This is so even though, as a practical matter, the child support payments may incidentally benefit others in the custodial household whom the payor parent has no obligation to support (e.g., custodial parent owed no spousal support, adult children, or children from custodial parent's other relationships). Children are entitled to share in the non-custodial parent’s elevated standard of living despite custodial parent's lower income.

If you or someone you know in the Bay Area or anywhere in California needs the assistance of an experienced San Francisco Family Law Attorney, call Richard Lopez today at 866-387-8356, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.