Divorce

Merrisa L. Coleman-Bishop, San Jose, Bay Area and Greater Sacramento Area

For more than twenty years, San Jose, California divorce attorney Merrisa Coleman-Bishop has provided reliable and practical advice to men and women going through dissolution of marriage. She represents people and families in the Bay Area and throughout Northern California. Outside of the Bay Area she takes clients residing in the communities of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Antelope, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, and Folsom. In the County of El Dorado she accepts clients from Placerville, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, and Shingle Springs. In Placer County Merrisa Coleman-Bishop accepts divorce cases from the communities of Auburn, Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, and Loomis.

California Divorce Information Center

Basic Facts About Child Support
Your Child's Best Interests
Basic Facts About Child Custody & Visitation
Making Changes Easier
High-Conflict Co-Parenting
Long Distance Parenting
What to Tell Your Children

While the legal and factual considerations in a divorce case can be complex on their own, the issues are often further complicated by the difficult emotional circumstances surrounding the end of what was originally meant to be a lifelong mutual commitment.

By taking the time to thoroughly understand your objectives and advise you of your legal and strategic options at every stage of your divorce, Merrisa Coleman-Bishop can help ensure that your decisions in your divorce case will serve your own best interests and those of your children now and in the future. Contact her office in San Jose to find out how she can help you.

Resolving the Legal Issues of Divorce in California

Divorce cases involve negotiation, mediation or litigation on most or all of the following issues:

Division of marital property and debt: In many California divorces, issues arise as to the proper characterization of a particular asset as community property. Community property is subject to division on an equal basis between the spouses. Community property with some exceptions includes any and all assets or debts accumulated from the date the marriage or domestic partnership started to the date of the separation of the parties. Separate property of the parties is not subject to the claims of the other spouse. Separate property include any assets or debts which were owned by either party prior to the date of the marriage, inheritances, gifts, and any assets or debts incurred or accumulated after the date of separation. In cases involving family business assets, substantial gifts or complex marital estates, these issues can be especially difficult.
Spousal support or alimony: Spousal support is controlled by Family Code § 4320. Spousal support usually an issue in long-term marriages, or where a substantial disparity in incomes and earning power between the spouses is present. Divorce attorney Merrisa Coleman-Bishop can help form spousal support agreements that satisfy the best interests of her clients.
Child custody and visitation: Custody matters can become complicated when the wants of the parents conflict with what the needs of the children are or what the best interest of the children are. the primary residence of the children and the terms of their relationship with the noncustodial parent are contested. California custody and visitation arrangements are made in accordance with the best interest of the children involved in the divorce.
Child support: San Jose attorney Merrisa Coleman-Bishop helps resolve issues regarding primary custodial parent's right to receive payments from the other parent for the children's living expenses. She also represents clients in the collection of child support arrearages.
Divorce contempt: Contempt of court after a divorce occurs in many ways including failing to pay child support or moving a child out of California. Lawyer Coleman-Bishop will do her best to cooperate with the other side and resolve the matter peacefully. However, if negotiations fail to provide reasonable results for her clients, she will aggressively protect their interests in family law court.

The best results with respect to all of these issues are most often achieved when both spouses are able to negotiate in good faith and with a clear understanding of their respective legal rights and obligations.

When necessary, however, and where the merits of the case plainly favor her client, Ms. Coleman-Bishop is always ready to present a contested matter to a Family Court judge for resolution.

Contact the Law Office of Merrisa Coleman-Bishop in San Jose

If you want to file for divorce from your spouse, or your spouse presented you with a divorce decree, contact San Jose divorce lawyer Merrisa Coleman-Bishop. Her experience can help you get through your divorce successfully while protecting your emotional well-being along the way.