• Family Law The Ruben Law Firm is a firm of experienced, capable and dedicated legal professionals, committed to providing exceptional legal counsel by making ourselves accessible, offering a clear and understandable road map to our clients' complex legal issues, and delivering the highest value for dollars spent.

Who We Serve

Our family law clients range from individuals (adults and minor children) to couples to families. We serve clients of all income levels, from low-income families to those with high net worth.

Dispute Resolution Options

We are pleased with our high level of client satisfaction in using effective negotiation skills and techniques in family law disputes either through private or court-ordered settlement process or through the collaborative divorce model. When irreconcilable differences will have an impact on the family, we provide a clear direction for resolution by using effective legal remedies to resolve disputes. Thus, when litigation is the only viable alternative we focus on providing advice and representation in the following areas of the law:

Child Custody Disputes (both national and international)

One of the hallmarks of the Ruben Law Firm is our significant experience in child custody matters, including interstate child custody disputes and contested child custody trials. We also have had significant experience and success resolving international child custody disputes. We are licensed to practice law in both California and Illinois and act as special counsel in other jurisdictions.

Cohabitation

We pride ourselves in our ability to create cohabitation agreements that take into the account the interests of both parties (and their families), and that are enforceable.

Top of Page

High Asset Property Issues—Property Characterization and Distribution

We also pride ourselves in our track record of successfully resolving high asset property issues, focusing on both property characterization and distribution matters. The property division issues we help resolve includes residential real property, bank accounts, stocks, vehicles, business interests, and pension benefits, with an additional focus on tracing community and separate property. We are able to untangle the most complex issues and create a clear roadmap and creative solutions for resolution.

Spousal and Child Support Agreements or Litigation

We have also had significant success in securing significant spousal support awards for marriages of significant duration. We also have a significant experience in negotiating and/or litigating child support agreements that are in the best interest of the children and result in high client satisfaction.

Collaborative Law

We are experienced and known for our ability to create collaborative agreements that respects the relationships of both parties. We are proud of our association with the San Francisco Collaborative Divorce group and an ongoing commitment to resolving legal disputes with respect and dignity in the best interests of preserving family harmony.

Domestic Violence

We have had significant experience creating legal agreements that protect parties against domestic violence.

Premarital and Postnuptial Agreements

We are known for our ability to draft enforceable agreements that are thorough and take into account the interests of all parties.

Family Arbitration and Mediation

We have a strong track record in resolving family law cases through a non-adversarial means.

Top of Page

Family Business Law

We are proud of our strong reputation for capably solving complex business issues that arise in the context of family law disputes.

Marital Settlement Agreements

A marital settlement agreement is the document that terminates marital property interests. The Family Code of California views the marriage as a partnership and contains a "partnership law" pertaining to married couples. A marital settlement agreement represents an integration of the Family Code into the personal and business affairs of the divorcing parties. The document represents the conclusion of the financial affairs of the marital partners.

At the Ruben Law Firm we understand that the agreement must be thorough and tailored to meet the personal goals and needs of each client. Certain formalities must be observed and the language of the agreement must reflect not only the decisions made by the parties, but also the circumstances surrounding those decisions. The agreement must facilitate closure between the parties and is prepared with care to withstand "attack" after it is executed.

Of course, when the parties have children, those important and ongoing interactions must be defined and clarified by the terms of the agreement so that any disputes about the children are minimized. Our goal has always been to draft an effective agreement that is understandable to the parties and that leaves them both feeling protected and that the dissolution of their marriage is complete.

Paternity

Paternity actions are either instituted by one of the parents of a child or through the District Attorney's office under the Uniform Parentage Act. The purpose of these proceedings is to first determine the parentage of the child and then to deal with the important aspects of child custody and child support. Under the Family Code of California, there is a compelling state interest in establishing paternity for all children. Establishing paternity is the first step toward a child support award, which in turn, provides children with equal rights and access to the benefits of social security, health insurance, survivor benefits, military benefits and inheritance rights.

The Ruben Law Firm is experienced in all aspects of paternity proceedings and provides advocacy when the issue of paternity is being challenged.

Visitation Rights

Often, visitation rights, either by a parent or grandparents, are contested during a divorce process. We pride ourselves in our track record of successfully helping clients get the visitation rights they deserve.

Top of Page