Santa Barbara Divorce Attorney

Wilson & Pettine, LLP

1006 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101
USA

(805) 564-2191

(805) 564-3351

www.wilsonpettine.com/

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Law Firm Overview

At Wilson & Pettine, LLP, our Santa Barbara divorce lawyers focus solely on family law and its related legal areas, including wills, trusts, and civil litigation. Our firm was founded in 1998 when Santa Barbara family attorneys Rachel Lindenbaum Wilson and Paul A. Pettine III joined forces after many years in private practice with other firms. Since then, they have earned a reputation throughout Santa Barbara for providing dedicated, professional, highly ethical service to clients.

Wilson & Pettine's team of attorneys and trained legal staff have diverse backgrounds, training, and experience which they rely on to provide exceptional legal representation. The family lawyers at Wilson & Pettine, LLP are rarely out of reach when you need them. Talk to the experienced lawyers at Wilson & Pettine, LLP to learn how they can help you through your family law, wills, trust, or civil litigation case.

Conveniently located one block from the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Wilson & Pettine, LLP represents clients throughout Santa Barbara and the neighboring area, including Carpinteria, Montecito, Goleta, and Summerland. Finding the right family law attorney is not always easy, but it is important. At Wilson & Pettine, LLP you are more than a name on a case file; you are a neighbor.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Domestic Partnerships; Interstate and International Custody Issues; Postnuptial Agreements; Community Property; Division of Property; Contested & Uncontested Divorce; Spousal Abuse; Legal Malpractice.

Practice Areas Description

Our practice includes:

- Family Law

Family law cases are personal. Whatever the details of your case, it is happening to you right now. You need to know that your attorney knows what they are doing, and that they are on your side and fully committed to providing the best possible outcome for your case. While your situation is unique to you, the experienced Santa Barbara family lawyers at Wilson & Pettine, LLP have seen just about everything that can happen in one of these cases. They use their experience to guide clients through the often complex legal process with discretion and compassion.

* Separation

Legal separation is different from a divorce. A divorce is a complete dissolution of a marriage, while a separation agreement allows for couples to live apart and decide on property and parenting issues without obtaining a divorce. A separation agreement outlines the important terms of the separation, including the following: Child support; Spousal support; Custody and visitation; Division of property. Legal separation is not appropriate for every couple. If there is hope or expectation of reconciliation, the parties should not take legal action.

* Contested Divorce

Contested divorce refers to one in which the parties are unable to agree on one or more terms of the divorce on their own. A contested divorce goes to trial before a judge, who issues a final decision on any contested matters. It is crucial to have an experienced family law attorney if you face a contested divorce. A contested divorce can take one to three years, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of issues under contention. If you and your spouse disagree on how to resolve the issues involved in your divorce, our Santa Barbara County contested divorce lawyer will be your advocate to ensure that all the important facts of your case are heard and that you get a fair settlement.

* Uncontested Divorce

Uncontested divorce refers to cases where the parties agree on the terms of the divorce without taking the case before a judge. It allows the parties to avoid the stress of litigation and the cost of a lengthy court proceeding. An uncontested divorce Barbara typically takes six months to a year to finalize. An attorney can help you through an uncontested divorce by writing up and filing all of the necessary paperwork and presenting everything to the court so the parties can avoid having to ever enter a courtroom. In an uncontested divorce, our Santa Barbara County attorney will make sure that all legal bases are covered and that the divorce agreement is comprehensive and equitable.

- Wills and Trusts

Some changes in life we see coming. Others arrive without any warning. That is why being prepared for the future—especially if you have dependents—is crucial. A will or trust is an excellent way to ensure that your loved ones are provided for and your estate is distributed according to your wishes. Your life can change direction for a variety of reasons, such as the following: Marriage; Divorce; Domestic partnership; and The birth or adoption of a child. When your life changes, your will should too. The Santa Barbara family attorneys at Wilson & Pettine, LLP are prepared to assist you in planning for your future. They can help you create or update a will or trust with the same compassion, discretion, and sound legal counsel they provide all of their clients.

- Civil Litigation

Hiring the right lawyer is important, but it may not be easy. You need an attorney you can trust with your money, time, and future. When you do find the right attorney, you develop a rapport and a level of trust. If another situation occurs for which you need legal counsel, you may find it easier to speak to an attorney with whom you have an established relationship. Although the lawyers at Wilson & Pettine, LLP concentrate mainly on family law, they come from diverse legal backgrounds and are experienced in all areas of civil litigation. Some legal cases seem to spring up on their own, while others are related to a current or previous case. Our firm has represented clients in a variety of lawsuits, including the following: Spousal abuse; Legal malpractice; and Real estate issues due to family law case.