Ontario, California Board-Certified Family Law Attorneys

Law Firm Overview

Haslam & Perri, LLP has been earning a reputation for excellence in the Inland Empire region since we opened our doors. The lawyers of H & P have dedicated their careers to the practice of California family law. Members of our legal team have earned the AV rating and have been certified as family law specialists by the California Board of Legal Specialization.

We know the family law courts and how important your divorce settlement will be to your future. Our firm brings together an experienced team of lawyers, paralegals and client service professionals to resolve your most complex divorce and family law matters. Members of the H & P legal team have been working together for nearly 35 years.

When you hire us for your family law case, you will work with your own attorney and a staff dedicated specifically to you. As a firm, we bring our knowledge and experience together to ensure that your questions will be answered clearly and your phone calls returned promptly. Your legal team will be available at all times, and be with you at every step of the process.

Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Domestic Partnerships; Grandparents' Rights; Guardianship; High Asset Divorce; Annulment; Military Divorce & Child Custody; Modifications; Move Aways & Parental Relocation; Postnuptial Agreements; Property & Debt Division; Property Settlements; Stepparents Rights / Stepparent Adoption / Contract Adoption; Charitable Giving; Financial Power of Attorney; Medical Power of Attorney; Advance Health Care Directives; Conservatorship; Business Succession Planning; Estate Planning for Non-traditional Families.

Areas of Law Description

At Haslam & Perri LLP, we focus exclusively in practice areas relating to California family law:

- Divorce

When you file for divorce, you are not only ending your marriage, but you are also entering into a new kind of relationship with your ex-spouse, particularly if children are involved. At Haslam & Perri, LLP, we want to hear your story. We will never forget that behind your divorce settlement is your family. Since we founded our firm in 2003, we have remained committed to California family law and helping people get through the emotional divorce process. Our focus is always on helping you look forward to a new future.

- Mediation

Mediation requires the intervention of a trained third-party, known as a mediator, to ensure that the negotiation process is fair and protects the interests of all parties. The mediator is an attorney, but they will not represent either side. Mediation often gives you options to resolve your toughest divorce settlement challenges. It means that you will maintain control over the problem, rather than turning decisions over to a judge. Other professionals are often involved to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the issues. A typical mediation session might include financial professionals, child welfare specialists and property valuation experts.

- Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is designed to help divorcing couples resolve their issues without tying up the courts with costly litigation. The collaborative divorce process is not the same as mediation. Collaborative law is a special form of alternative dispute resolution in which both parties engage their own attorney to represent their rights and interests directly to each other at the negotiating table. Additional advisors, counselors and coaches may be part of the process. The collaborative settlement process can become complex and confusing. Our attorneys help you keep your sanity as you negotiate substantial financial and personal details that will be part of the final settlement.

- Child Custody and Visitation

Divorces that involve child custody often become hostile when spouses and attorneys on both sides allow resentment and emotions to rule their decisions. Under California law, the courts are required to rule in favor of what is best for the children, but that doesn't mean that some parents won't try to put their own needs first. At Haslam & Perri, LLP, we believe that negotiated co-parenting agreements are almost always the best solution to disputes involving child custody and visitation. Working together with the other parent and their lawyer, we bring in professionals such as child welfare specialists when necessary to help you find the best solution.

- Military Divorce

Our firm represents military husbands and wives throughout San Bernardino County and Riverside County. A military divorce proceeds in much the same way as a civilian divorce. However in a military divorce, special consideration must be made regarding child custody, child support and the division of property. We also have significant knowledge of the complexities surrounding property division in a military divorce. The main issue is the military retirement plan, which may be divided between you and your spouse. If you are in the armed services or are married to a person in the military and are considering a divorce, we can help.

- Child Support

Haslam & Perri, LLP, is recognized as one of the prominent California family law firms serving communities throughout San Bernardino County and Riverside County. We receive many calls from prospective clients asking about child support obligations. Under the law, minimum child support obligations are regulated by a formula that takes a variety of financial factors into account, including the income of both parents. The financial data that judges enter into the child support formula must be fair and accurate. Our experienced family law attorneys will protect your rights and ensure that the final calculation will be based on accurate financial data and income valuation.

- Property and Debt Division

For most people seeking a divorce, dividing marital property equitably is nearly as important as resolving child custody issues. California is a community property state. In a community property state, all property and debt acquired during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses and must be divided evenly. Making sure that debts, financial holdings and physical property are valued appropriately and divided evenly becomes the key issue. At Haslam & Perri, LLP, our team of family law attorneys has extensive experience in areas involving marital property division for all sizes of estates. Our satisfied clients have included many of the Inland Empire's most successful individuals, but we also serve the needs of people of more modest means.

- Move Aways and Parental Relocation

As our society becomes increasingly mobile, legal disputes involving parental relocation with a custodial child are beginning to fill the courts. Move away cases often become very emotional and contentious, as one parent seeks better financial opportunities in a different state or jurisdiction, while the non-custodial parent worries about losing contact with the children. At Haslam & Perri, LLP, we can help you resolve your move away dispute by helping you work toward a negotiated settlement that protects your rights and the interests of your children. Through mediation and collaborative agreements, we can help you forge a solution that works for your family.

- Modifications

California family law courts have provisions for modifying divorce judgments relating to child custody and spousal support. The law recognizes that financial and personal circumstances change in people's lives in the years following a divorce. If your financial or geographical situation has changed and you can no longer meet the terms of your original divorce agreement, you may be able to modify the terms of your judgment. Haslam & Perri, LLP, has been helping people modify the terms of their divorce agreement since senior partners Donald Haslam and Audrey Perri opened our doors in Ontario, California, in 2003. Our firm has earned a reputation among family court judges and opposing lawyers for our commitment to integrity and fairness.

- High Asset Divorce

Haslam & Perri, LLP, is recognized for providing experienced representation for individuals with significant financial holdings. Over our many years of practice, we have developed relations with independent resources who will ensure that the valuation of community property and personal income is fairly calculated and fully accounted for. Our attorneys have represented individuals with financial holdings in the tens of millions of dollars. Our firm now includes associates and staff that work together to ensure that your high asset divorce receives close attention to the financial and personal details that your case requires. By working with a team of forensic accountants, business valuation professionals and securities specialists, we ensure that your rights, your financial interests and your personal success are protected in the final settlement.

- Alimony / Spousal Support

Spousal support can become one of the most emotional and contentious elements of a divorce settlement. If your pending divorce will involve alimony payments, there are several factors that will be taken into consideration. Family law judges know how important alimony issues are to both parties in a divorce. Often, spousal support becomes the single financial issue that cannot be settled out of court. Haslam & Perri, LLP, is recognized as one of the leading family law firms serving communities throughout San Bernardino County and Riverside County. Our attorneys have extensive experience mediating and litigating fair alimony judgments for individuals of all income levels.

- Legal Separation and Annulment

Haslam & Perri, LLP, is ready to help you with all of your marriage dissolution needs. When you meet with us to discuss your circumstances, your attorney will fully explain the benefits of a legal separation and how you can begin the process. Although a separation does not fully dissolve your legal marriage contract, it can serve your immediate legal needs. An annulment is an acknowledgment that the marriage contract never actually existed between the two parties. Like a legal separation, an annulment must be agreed to by both spouses, or it will be considered a divorce. In general, an annulment is very difficult to obtain if the marriage relationship has lasted a significant number of years.

- Paternity

Haslam & Perri, LLP can help if you have any of the following types of paternity issues: You have been asked by the mother of the child to sign a voluntary declaration of parentage; You have been served with an action to establish parentage of a child; You previously signed a voluntary declaration of paternity and want to revoke this declaration; You were found to be the father of a child and require assistance from a lawyer to establish child custody or visitation rights; You are a mother who wants to establish the paternity of your child. When paternity has been established and confirmed in court, fathers and mothers have rights to custody, visitation and child support.

- Guardianship

As part of our complete range of California family law services, Haslam & Perri, LLP, can help you attain legal guardianship over a minor-age youth. In the event the parents of a minor become incapacitated or unable to care for their child, legal guardianship gives you the right to make financial and legal decisions to provide for the welfare of the child. By securing guardianship of a minor-age child, you obtain the temporary or permanent rights normally granted to the legal parents.

- Grandparents' Rights

California law allows for grandparents to have visitation rights under a number of difference circumstances. If parents are divorced or permanently separated, a grandparent can ask the court for visitation rights. In order to have such a request granted, it must be shown that there is a "pre-existing relationship" between a grandparent and grandchild, and that visitation would be in the child's best interests. If you are a grandparent who recognizes the value of visitation rights with your grandchild, Haslam & Perri, LLP, has the experience you can rely on. We have helped many grandparents secure an agreement to retain rights to maintain contact with their grandchildren following a divorce or remarriage of the parents. We are ready to help you fight for what you know is best for your child.

- Domestic Partnership

In California, if you enter into a domestic partnership agreement, you will have the same legal rights as married couples. A domestic partnership agreement is a contract that specifies property rights and can even include provisions for child custody and visitation rights. If you are involved in a domestic partnership the family law attorneys of Haslam & Perri, LLP, in Ontario, California, can help protect your rights and interests. We can help you draft an agreement that you can use to your benefit for securing employment and insurance benefits.

- Estate Planning

As part of our complete range of family law services, Haslam & Perri, LLP, is also ready to meet your estate planning needs. If your financial circumstances have changed because of a divorce, marriage or other major life-event, your goals to protect your financial assets should change as well. Our firm represents clients with family assets ranging in size from a single family home in the suburbs of Ontario, California, to owners of multi-million dollar private businesses and professional practices. We offer the benefits of a small law firm with the resources typically only found at larger practices.

- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

If you are considering getting remarried, or are going to enter your marriage with significant financial holdings, it is important to consider drafting a prenuptial agreement. California is a community property state. Any personal property and financial assets you acquire over the course of your marriage must be divided equally in the event of a divorce settlement. A prenuptial agreement is an important legal document used to protect the personal property owned by the individuals prior to the date of marriage. Haslam & Perri, LLP, is ready to answer all of your questions about the importance of a prenuptial agreement.

- Property Settlements

While the name certainly suggests that property settlements are included in this agreement, it is also known as a marital settlement agreement. In this agreement, all the terms of your divorce are considered. Property settlements provide the foundation for your life after your divorce has been finalized. With help from the experienced attorneys at Haslam & Perri, LLP, you can ensure a property settlement agreement is reached in your best interests. We seek fair and enduring settlement agreements that protect you now and in the years to come.

- Stepparents Rights / Stepparent Adoption / Contract Adoption

Are you interested in adopting your spouse's child born from a previous marriage or relationship? Through the stepparent adoption services at Haslam & Perri, LLP, we provide experienced representation to stepparents interested in bringing their blended families together. While the stepparent adoption process varies from county to county in California, several items are common to each adoption. Our experienced family law attorneys can assist with the following:

• Filing a petition for stepparent adoption
• The applicable state agency investigates the petition
• The absent parent must terminate his or her rights
• A final adoption hearing

Attorneys

	Mr. Donald Glen Haslam Attorney Collaborative Law, Divorce, Family Law, Juvenile Crime		Ms. Audrey Ann Perri Attorney Collaborative Law, Divorce, Family Law
	Mr. Brian George Thorne Attorney Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence

More Information on Haslam & Perri, LLP

Ontario, California Family Law Firm
Divorce Lawyer in Ontario, California
Ontario, CA Military Divorce Law Firm
Guardianship Law Firm in Ontario, CA
Ontario, CA Divorce Mediation Lawyer
Child Support Law Firm in Ontario, CA
Ontario, California Paternity Attorneys
Haslam & Perri, LLP News and Publications