Divorce & Family Law
At Doolittle Law, our attorneys can help you understand the laws and procedures that apply to your divorce case to protect your rights and interests.
Divorce is never an easy process, and in California, it can be particularly complicated.
If you are considering a divorce in California, it is essential to understand the laws and procedures that apply to your case to protect your rights and interests. Contact our reputable family law attorneys today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
California Divorce Laws
In California, either spouse can file for divorce, and the grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences. This means that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, and there is no hope of reconciliation. The spouse who files for divorce must serve the other spouse with the divorce papers, and the other spouse must respond within a specified period. If the other spouse fails to respond, the court can grant a default judgment in favor of the filing spouse.
Property Division in California Divorces
California is a community property state, which means that property acquired during the marriage is generally considered to be equally owned by both spouses. This includes not only physical assets like real estate and cars but also intangible assets like retirement accounts and investments. However, property acquired before the marriage or after the date of separation is usually considered separate property and not subject to division.
Property division can be one of the most contentious issues in a California divorce case. It is essential to work with an experienced family law attorney who can help you understand your rights and options under California law. A skilled attorney can also negotiate with your spouse’s attorney to reach a fair and equitable property division agreement that protects your financial interests.
Child Custody in California Divorces
Child custody is another critical issue in California divorce cases. California law recognizes two types of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about the child’s upbringing, such as education and healthcare. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and spends their time. In California, the court will always make custody decisions based on what is in the best interests of the child.
The court considers several factors when determining child custody, including the child’s age, health, and relationship with each parent. The court will also consider each parent’s ability to provide for the child’s physical and emotional needs, as well as any history of abuse or neglect. It is important to work with an experienced family law attorney who can advocate for your rights and interests during the child custody process.
The legal process of divorce in California can be complex and challenging, particularly when it comes to property division and child custody. Working with an experienced family law attorney can help you understand the legal principles and procedures that apply to your case and ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the divorce process.
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Client Reviews
I can’t thank Wallace and the team at Doolittle Law enough for their incredible support in defending us against a string of baseless, frustrating lawsuits. From the moment they took our case, they were like family in our corner, fighting for us with unmatched skill and dedication. Wallace’s expertise and preparation led us to win motion after motion, and even when the other side pushed us into appellate court, they handled it with absolute confidence and professionalism, securing our victory. A special thank you to Alana, their amazing paralegal, who went above and beyond to keep everything running smoothly—her help was invaluable and made such a difference. Working with Doolittle Law gave us peace of mind during a tough time, and it felt like they genuinely cared about us. If you need a legal team that’s not only brilliant but also truly invested in you, Doolittle Law is the one to call. Thank you, Wallace, Alana, and the entire team, for everything you did for us!
Wallace has a expertise in real estate law to probate law, corporate law and to family law and even more. He’s been a great deal of help to my family and everybody that I referred him to. I highly , recommend Wallace to anyone who’s looking for an honest Competent Attorney .
Wallace is an extremely experienced, responsive and tactical professional who achieves superior outcomes in tough situations. He has handled many types of cases (civil litigation, business and employment litigation and issues) for me over 20 years achieving superior results. I highly recommend him and his team.
Wallace has the highest integrity and is one of the most genuine and honest attorneys that I have ever worked with. His skill set and experience are second to none giving him the ability to apply a deep knowledge to every case and situation he is involved in.
Wallace is smart, efficient, and incredibly productive. He doesn’t waste time—or your money—on unnecessary research, and his responsiveness and speed consistently save both time and cost. His combination of clarity, efficiency, and practical judgment make him a rare kind of attorney.
Wallace has saved us many times. Best lawyer we’ve ever had. 10/10 recommend! We’ve worked with Wallace for several years, on various cases. He’s always come through with incredible advice, quick turnaround and very professional.
Wallace Doolittle came highly recommended to me by a friend in the field when I was looking for a divorce lawyer to support a challenge to my support settlement. I was overwhelmed and taken by surprise, and throughout the entirety of the proceedings, Wallace was supportive, and patiently walked me though each step of the process. He promptly responded to my requests for information, kept me updated as information came in, and was thorough and strategic as he navigated mediations and hearings. His efforts, genuine care, and empathy made this experience much more manageable for me. I trusted his approach, and as a result landed a successful outcome. I am grateful and so appreciative of his services and would highly recommend him to anyone facing a divorce.
Wallace has been able to help me in several different situations. He has helped negotiate a good settlement for me every time. I highly recommend him and his team for business cases as well as personal cases. Hopefully I never need him again, but if I do I will definitely be calling him again.
Wallace is fantastic lawyer and that is truly an understatement. He represented me in my legal battle with a large hospital corporation and was able to guide me successfully every step of the way. He has the utmost personal integrity and ethics. His vast amount of experience as a trial lawyer is showcased in his ability to pinpoint the problem. If he takes on your case, you are in good hands.
Wallace is the best. He represented me numerous case’s throughout my life. Great personal integrity and outstanding trial lawyer experience. He knows the problem on the spot. If he takes your case you are in good hands . Actually the whole law firm is just outstanding. Jim Dawns is the person who you can trust to draw up your complain. He is an outstanding legal scholar. 5 start to the firm
Wallace Doolittle has been representing myself in my family since 2016 and I cannot say enough great things about him. Our relationship began as he represented me for visitation of my daughter Scarlette. When I met him her mother had a great deal of control and I spent countless hours and used to other attorneys that did nothing for me. Wallace systemically broke down my ex's law team, attorney by attorney. He advocated for me to get more and more time with my daughter. We had reached the point after 5 years where I was going to have full custody. In a heartbreaking turn of events Scarlette was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma and fought for almost a year at the Stanford Children's Cancer Hospital and in September was consumed by the disease, and passed away. Wallace was even there for me at the hardest time of my life on a personal note. He attended the funeral and although I no longer have need for his first rate Legal Services, I will always remember the legendary performance this man provided , he is a superstar among the attorneys, and no one I would recommend more highly. -- Benjamin Huynh
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Doolittle Law practices in all areas of complex litigation, including commercial and business litigation; complex family law and dissolution cases; banking and insurance litigation.
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102 Washington Avenue,
Point Richmond, CA 94801
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1255 Treat Boulevard, #300
Walnut Creek, CA 94597