Our firm’s founding partners, Robert A. Adelman and George N. Seide, are both Certified Family Law Specialists in the state of California. In order to be identified as a “certified” specialist in California, an attorney must be certified either by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar.

Certified Family Law Specialists have the special skills, knowledge, training and experience to handle complex family law cases. Most Continued Legal Education Seminars are conducted by judges and Certified Family Law Specialists, and Certified Family Law Specialists often consult other attorneys on family law procedural and legal issues.

For a lawyer, to be eligible for the family law specialist certification in the state of California they must:

1) Have been engaged for a minimum of 25% of the time in the practice of law in the area in which certification is sought during the previous five years.

2) Be an active member of the State Bar of California

3) Pass a specialized written exam that demonstrates high level of experience in the specialty field

4) Complete at least 45 hours of continuing education in the field

5) Be favorably evaluated by other lawyers and judges familiar with their work

Direct from the State of California Bar website, the following are the standards for certification and recertification in family:

1.0 DEFINITION

Family law is the practice of law dealing with all aspects of the California Family Code and including, but not limited to, the following: taxation issues incident to family law practice; contempt; enforcement proceedings; mediation and/or negotiation of family law disputes; psychological and counseling aspects of family law; family law writ and appellate practice; postmarital agreements; nonmarital domestic relationships; child custody in any forum; and public enforcement of child support.

2.0 TASK REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION

2.1 An applicant must demonstrate that within the five (5) years immediately preceding the initial application, he or she has been substantially involved in the practice of family law, which shall include actual experience in each of the following areas:

2.1.1 Restraining orders/domestic violence proceedings;

2.1.2 Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or nullity of marriage litigation;

2.1.3 Custody of children;

2.1.4 Child support;

2.1.5 Spousal support;

2.1.6 Modification of support;

2.1.7 Division of community property;

2.1.8 Confirmation of separate property;

2.1.9 Taxation issues incident to dissolution of marriage;

2.1.10 Contempt and/or enforcement proceedings;.

2.1.11 Mediation and/or negotiation of family law disputes; and

2.1.12 Psychological and counseling aspects of dissolution of marriage.

2.2 A prima facie showing of substantial involvement in the area of family law is made by completion of at least four (4) of the following five (5) categories:

2.2.1 Principal counsel in twenty (20) contested family law hearings involving one or more issues set forth in section 2.1, submitted to a court for a decision;

2.2.2 Principal counsel in five (5) hearings or trials under the California Family Code which are within the definition of family law in section 1.0 of these standards, and which are three (3) hours or more in length and involve testimony of witnesses; or other alternative task and experience which the advisory commission deems to substantially comply with the foregoing task and experience requirement, including but not limited to:

2.2.2.1 Evidentiary hearings or trials in other practice areas;

2.2.2.2 Sitting as pro tem judge or arbitrator in contested hearings or trials under the California Family Code or within the definition of family law in section 1.0 of these standards;

2.2.2.3 Successful completion of a recognized trial advocacy program that conforms to guidelines developed by the Family Law Advisory Commission;

2.2.3 Principal counsel in a minimum of thirty (30) negotiated family law judgments or negotiated marital settlement agreements;

2.2.4 Principal counsel in thirty (30) stipulated temporary family law orders; or

2.2.5 Principal counsel and principal author of the briefs in three (3) California family law appeals in which an opinion was filed.

Principal counsel is the attorney who spends a majority of the time on a case in the activities of preparation, review, filing and representing a client at an interview or hearing. There can be only one principal counsel per case.

3.0 EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION

An applicant must show that, within the three (3) years immediately preceding the application for certification, he or she has completed not less than forty-five (45) hours of educational activities specifically approved for family law as follows:

3.1 Not less than nine (9) hours in the areas of dissolution of marriage, contempt and/or enforcement, or mediation and/or negotiation of family law disputes;

3.2 Not less than six (6) hours in the area of custody of children;

3.3 Not less than nine (9) hours in the areas of child support, spousal support, or modification of support;

3.4 Not less than twelve (12) hours in the areas of division of community property, confirmation of separate property, or taxation issues incident to dissolution of marriage;

3.5 Not less than six (6) hours in the area of psychological and counseling aspects of dissolution of marriage; and

3.6 Not more than three (3) hours in the following areas:

3.6.1 Paternity litigation,

3.6.2 Adoption litigation,

3.6.3 Problems of the nonmarital family,

3.6.4 Writs and appeals from dissolution of marriage, legal separation or nullity of marriage litigation,

3.6.5 Proceedings to free a minor from the custody and control of parent(s),

3.6.6 Problems of domestic violence;

3.6.7 Guardianships of the person or children, and

3.6.8 Law office management of a family law practice.

4.0 TASK REQUIREMENT FOR RECERTIFICATION

4.1 An applicant for recertification must show that during the current five (5) year certification period he or she has participated in a total of fifty (50) of the following proceedings in any combination:

4.1.1 Contested hearings or trial proceedings under the California Family Code, or within the definition of family law, section 1.0 of these standards, which are three (3) hours or more in length and involving testimony of witnesses.

4.1.2 Negotiated or mediated family law judgments, property settlement agreements, marital settlement agreements, stipulated temporary or post judgment orders and/or stipulated appeal settlements;

4.1.3 Acted as mediator, arbitrator, evaluator, or special master in any of the proceedings delineated in section 1.0 of these standards.

4.2 Compliance with the foregoing requirements may be demonstrated, in the discretion of the Commission, by sworn statement that the applicant has engaged in the practice of family law substantially to the same extent as described in the application for original certification.

5.0 ALTERNATIVE TO TASK REQUIREMENT FOR RECERTIFICATION

As an alternative to the task requirements listed in section 4.0 above, an applicant may qualify by completing any of the following:

5.1 One-half (1/2) day superior court family law pro tem judge service in contested hearings or trials shall be the equivalent of two (2) contested hearings or trials;

5.2 Teaching a minimum of fifty (50) actual hours of educational programs approved by the Commission shall be the equivalent of fifteen (15) contested hearings or trials;

5.3 Preparation of a case for contested proceedings under the California Family Code or within the definition of family law, Section 1.0 of these standards, shall be equivalent to a contested hearing or trial;

5.4 Acting as principal counsel and principal author of the pleadings and briefs in twelve (12) appeals and/or writs filed with a Court of Review, involving proceedings under the California Family Code or within the definition of family law, section 1.0 of these standards;

5.5 Acting as principal counsel and principal author of the pleadings and briefs in one appeal and/or writ filed with a Court of Review, involving proceedings under the California Family Code or within the definition of family law, section 1.0 of these standards, shall be the equivalent of four (4) contested hearings or trials.

6.0 EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR RECERTIFICATION

An applicant for recertification must show that during the current five (5) year certification period he or she has completed not less than sixty (60) hours of educational activities specifically approved for family law , of which not less than six (6) nor more than ten (10) hours shall be in psychological and counseling aspects of family law.

A divorce is like the breakup of a business partnership. Although it is very personal and emotional for you, the Court treats it as a business matter (except when children are involved) the dissolution of a partnership with its assets to be divided equally by the partners. Our job as your attorney is to obtain for you the best results possible. For us to accomplish this, you should adhere to the following:

Your divorce involves often complex and often emotional matters. Although we are sensitive to and understand the emotional issues (some of us have been through our own dissolutions just like you), try to not use your attorney as an emotional advisor. If you need to discuss your anger or understandable frustration or if you are having problems coping with the divorce, see a counselor, therapist or a social worker. They are trained to help in these matters. Such professionals will also be less costly. We have resources for referrals to excellent therapists if you desire a referral.

You make all the decisions in your case. We are not the ultimate decision maker. We will advise and make recommendations to you on your rights, strategy and procedures in order for you to make an informed and educated decision.

Although at times it is difficult to act in a rational manner because of the emotions involved, you must try to always remain businesslike and act wisely. Try to not make decisions while under stress.
Be Honest. As your attorney, we might ask you blunt or personal questions. Do not give half-truths. They will only complicate matters and cost you more in the long run. We are not trying to find out who is right and who is wrong or who is the better person. We are trying to get as much accurate information about the case to get you the best result possible.

Remember, ask questions. If you do not know the meaning of a legal term or any legal procedure, ASK. This is your divorce. You must live with the outcome, so do not be afraid to ask any question. You need to understand everything that is transpiring so you can make the best decisions possible.

Lastly, beware of attorneys who promise you more than logic and common sense dictate. It is often the case that attorneys can only generalize, give estimates or ranges. This is because some aspects of a divorce are not finite and subject to mathematical precision. Expect to receive candid answers which might contain bad news. If an attorney advises you will have no problems or everything on every issue will work out exactly as you request, beware that such attorney might be telling you what he/she thinks you want to hear to obtain you as a client as opposed to what you need to be advised.