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805-477-0505

Offices in Ventura & Westlake Village

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Office Locations:

Westlake Village Office

3075 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91362

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Ventura Office

1198 Navigator Drive #20

Ventura, CA 93001

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Phone: 805-477-0505

Fax: 805-676-1481

At the Ventura County Law and Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras we provide personal attention in matters related to divorce, support, & custody. We serve clients in Westlake Villlage, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Moorpark, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Calabasas, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Ojai. We represent families and individuals throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County.

The Law and Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras

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Practice Information

Divorce

High Net Worth Divorces

Mediation & Collaborative Law

Negotiaton Methods

Legal Separation vs. Divorce

California Law and Legal Separation

Separate Ways California Path In the state of California, it take six months to become divorced. A legal separation is the filing of court documents that can immediately affect almost every legal aspect of your marriage: division of property, alimony, child support, child custody, etc - but there are several significant differences from a divorce. The most important differences are that both spouses must agree to a legal separation and many legal obligations will remain in place although you are no longer living as a married couple.

Reasons a legal separation may be preferred over a divorce:

Religious beliefs
Neither party plans to remarry
Extending the time period of marriage in order to receive benefits such as:
Medical insurance
Social Security
Allowing one party’s residence in the state to accrue long enough to allow for a divorce filing

Legal Separation is Not Be Used to Test the Possibility of Reconciliation

For couples unsure of their future together, legal separation is not a good option. It is not meant to make reconciliation easier, in fact, it does the opposite - and is often used prior to a divorce. Legal separation is also not appropriate in situations where asset protection is desired, as there are better ways to separate and protect assets.

Divorce is the Typical Solution to Allow You to Move Forward With Your Life

An obvious reason for divorce is that it allows each party to remarry. But prior to starting any divorce action, it is best to speak with an experienced family law attorney about your options. Planning for a divorce by examining your financial situation, custody options, and even your desire to relocate with your children will better prepare you and those affected by the end of your marriage.

20 Years of Legal Experience Helping You End Your Marital Situation

As a Family Law Attorney with over two decades of experience, Barton Pokras has seen the end of numerous marriages. While every case has unique aspects - one common factor in achieving an efficient resolution is the desire of all parties to interact in a respectful manner, even when issues can be emotionally difficult. Our law office strives to foster this type of productive environment, and we use many Collaborative and Mediation Law Practice techniques. However, in some disputes one party may be more interested in fighting versus moving forward, and Barton Pokras is aware of the best legal methods to protect his clients.

The Right Approach for Your Situation Requires Legal Expertise

It may make sense to file for legal separation, with the intent to pursue divorce as soon as circumstances allow. But for most situations, initially planning for divorce will be the right approach. If you have questions about legal separation or divorce, call to schedule a confidential consultation at our Ventura or Westlake Village office. There is no cost for your initial consultation. Call 805-477-0505 or email us.