Family Lawyers

Riverside, California

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Experienced Family Attorneys in Riverside, CA

At Fontes Law Group, we provide our clients in Riverside with personal and effective legal representation in all areas of family law.

Serving Clients in Riverside

Family law issues often surface during some of the most difficult stages of life. Whether you are preparing to file a petition for dissolution, addressing a custody dispute, seeking support orders, or taking steps to protect a child’s safety, the legal process can feel overwhelming. Many families in Riverside come to us unsure of their rights, uncertain about court procedures, and looking for a lawyer who can guide them through each part of the case with clarity and compassion.

At Fontes Law Group, our Riverside family law attorneys help clients navigate these challenges with steady support and a strong understanding of California’s Family Code and local court expectations. We explain the jurisdiction of the Riverside County Superior Court, outline every procedural requirement, and help you avoid the mistakes that can delay a case or complicate your legal rights. Our goal is to make the process manageable and to protect your interests from start to finish.

Not every family matter requires courtroom litigation. Many spouses and parents are able to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation, allowing them to reach legally enforceable agreements without appearing before a judge. When settlement is possible, we help you understand your options, safeguard your legal position, and work toward resolutions that create stability for your future and support your children’s well being.

When Your Case Requires Litigation

Some situations cannot be resolved cooperatively. When disputes arise over custody, visitation, financial support, or property rights, or when safety concerns require judicial intervention, litigation may become necessary. In these circumstances, our Riverside attorneys are prepared to advocate for you throughout the court process. We assist with preparing declarations and evidentiary documents, filing Requests for Orders, presenting your position at hearings, responding to temporary orders, and ensuring compliance with judicial directives. We also help you navigate contested custody evaluations and other complex procedures unique to Riverside family cases.

Whether you are moving through a divorce, establishing new custody orders, modifying support, addressing domestic violence, or considering legal separation, Fontes Law Group stands ready to protect your rights and guide you toward a more stable future. Reach out to learn how we can support you and your family during this challenging time.

Family lawyers Fontes Law group

Why Clients Choose Fontes Law Group

Experience. Compassion. Results.

At Fontes Law Group, we combine decades of legal experience with a client-first approach. Our family law attorneys understand how emotionally and financially overwhelming a separation, custody dispute, or family conflict can be, and we know how to guide you through California’s legal process with clarity, compassion, and strong advocacy.

  • Proven success helping clients through divorce, custody, support, and property division

  • All team members speak Spanish

  • Offices in Santa Ana and Riverside

  • No fees for your initial consultation

  • Trusted by families across Southern California

Call To Discuss Your Case

Riverside, CA
2677 N. Main Street, Ste 820

Catherine Navarro

Meet Family Law Lawyer
Catherine J. Navarro

Partner

Family Law Services

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Alimony

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Domestic Violence

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Division of Assets

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Paternity/Maternity

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Guardianship

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Limited Conservatorship

Family Laws in California

Family law issues can affect your home, your children, and your future, which is why they often feel stressful and deeply personal. Whether you’re facing a divorce, figuring out custody arrangements, requesting support, or trying to keep your family safe, it’s normal to feel unsure about what comes next. Many families in Riverside reach out to us feeling overwhelmed and looking for a legal team they can trust to help them navigate each step with confidence.

At Fontes Law Group, we guide Riverside families through California’s family law system with clarity and compassion. We break down the legal process in simple terms, help you understand your rights, and work with you to make decisions that protect your well-being. Our team listens closely, offers steady guidance, and stays by your side as your case progresses.

Why Family Law Matters

Decisions made in family court can affect your life for years. Custody and visitation orders determine your child’s routine. Support orders shape your financial stability. Property division influences what you walk away with after the marriage ends. Because these decisions are so important, California provides a legal framework that helps families reach fair, balanced solutions.

Our role is to help you understand the legal framework and use it to safeguard your rights and your family’s well-being. We focus on:

  • Supporting children with consistent, healthy arrangements
  • Reaching balanced financial resolutions
  • Protecting survivors of domestic violence
  • Keeping the process organized, calm, and respectful
  • Minimizing conflict while staying prepared to litigate when necessary

No matter how complex or emotional your situation may be, we’re here to offer clear guidance, steady support, and a path forward you can trust.

Factors That Impact The Cost Of Divorce in Santa Ana

The cost of a divorce can vary widely, and while no attorney can give an exact number upfront, certain factors tend to influence the overall expense. These may include:

  • Whether your case requires additional services like expert evaluations or hearing transcripts

  • If children are involved and custody or visitation becomes contested

  • How many issues need to be resolved and how complicated those issues are

  • The extent to which both spouses can find common ground

  • How cooperative or adversarial the parties and their lawyers are during the process

  • Whether your case presents complex or unusual legal questions

  • Your attorney’s billing rate

  • How you and your spouse conduct yourselves throughout the case

These elements can make a divorce simpler and more affordable or, in some situations, more involved and costly.

If you want to understand what happens next or how the divorce process works from start to finish, read more here:

The California Divorce Process in 7 Steps

How a Family Law Attorney Can Support You

Family law problems can feel heavier than any other legal issue because they affect your children, your home, and your financial security. When you are facing uncertainty about custody, support, property division, or safety, having the right legal team makes all the difference.

Fontes Law Group represents families throughout Riverside with compassion, clarity, and strong legal strategy. We take the time to understand your story, explain the law in simple terms, and guide you toward the outcome that best supports your family’s long-term well being.

Whether you need help establishing custody, enforcing support, filing for legal separation, obtaining protection from domestic violence, or building a parenting plan that keeps your child safe and supported, our attorneys are here to stand with you. We prepare your paperwork correctly, help you communicate effectively with the court, and make sure you know what to expect at every step.

You deserve a team that listens, respects your experience, and advocates for your rights with skill and compassion. Fontes Law Group is here to be that team.

Reasonable, Flat-Fees With Payment Plans Available

We quote reasonable fees for all of our Family/Divorce cases. Cases are mostly handled on a flat-fee basis and payment plans are available.

Our sophisticated, efficient, affordable, and client-centered services separate us from other firms as we help our clients achieve their goals.

Helpful Resources

Superior Court of California | County of Riverside
California Courts – Family Law Self Help Guide
California Family Law Forms
California Parenting Plan Guidelines (PDF)
California Child Support Calculator
Domestic Violence Resources and Forms

FAQs About Family Law

Q: Do I need to be legally separated before filing for divorce?

No. California does not require legal separation before divorce. You can file for divorce immediately as long as you meet the residency requirements.

Q: How does spousal support (alimony) work in California?

Temporary support often follows a formula, while long-term support considers factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, contributions to the relationship, and financial needs.

Q: Who gets custody of the children in a California divorce?

Courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child. Judges look at factors like each parent’s involvement, stability, safety, and the child’s needs. There is no automatic preference for mothers or fathers.

Q: How long does a divorce take in California?

California has a mandatory six-month waiting period, but the total length depends on whether the case is contested, how quickly paperwork is completed, and whether issues like custody or property division are disputed.

Q: What is the legal definition of community property in California?

Community property includes most income, assets, and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of which spouse earned or purchased them.

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