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David Patton

About David Patton

David Patton is a Family Law Specialist as certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, limiting his practice to family law exclusively. He heads the firm’s family law practice.

Mr. Patton has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, spending his early years focusing on insurance defense and plaintiff’s personal injury cases. After co-founding Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri in 1994, Mr. Patton developed the firm’s family law practice. Since then, he has become one of Silicon Valley’s top family law attorneys. Mr. Patton is a certified family law specialist. Only attorneys certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization may represent themselves as such.

Entries by David Patton

Economics of Family Law: Alternatives for Attorney’s Fees in Family Law Cases

July 12, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

Outside the United States, the term “attorney’s fees” is not often heard (there are analogous terms in other countries).  It is largely part of the United States legal system and is used to refer to an attorney’s compensation for legal services. While sometimes daunting, especially in family law cases, there are attorney fees payment options […]

There’s No “Hiding the Ball” in Family Law Cases: The Importance of Understanding your Fiduciary Obligations to your Spouse or Domestic Partner

May 6, 2011 /1 Comment/in Family Law /by David Patton

The California Family Code incorporates the rules of civil discovery that are generally applicable in all civil cases.  Discovery is the process by which the parties to a legal dispute obtain information about the other side’s case so that the parties can engage in informed settlement negotiations and prepare their case for trial.  Discovery devices […]

Grandparent Visitation Rights

April 19, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

A grandparent may seek visitation rights even if there is no parental custody case pending in court.  A court’s jurisdiction over this issue may be invoked in a separate action brought on the grandparent’s behalf.  In order for grandparents to seek visitation privileges, they must first meet a two-part test. First, the grandparent must have […]

Huffington Post Article Argues for Increased Accountability for Parents Misusing Child Support Funds

April 8, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

An article published by Huffington Post recounts the importance of holding parents accountable for misusing child support funds.  The article discusses the issues arising when a parent uses child support money (paid by an ex-spouse) as his or her own personal money rather than using the funds to directly to support the child.  The article […]

Delaying Divorce Due to Financial Circumstances

April 7, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

Recent economic pressures have impacted most individuals, including those wishing to file for divorce.  As economic conditions improve, a recent MSNBC article suggests that divorce filings are likely to rise as many were stalled due to economic realities. In highlighting this phenomenon, the article focuses on the Wesners, a couple who initially decided to divorce […]

New Study Lists States with the Lowest Divorce Rates

April 1, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

An interesting article published in the Wall Street Journal named the states with the lowest divorce rates for the year 2008 -2009.  The state with the lowest divorce rate (1.8 percent) was Massachusetts.  Nevada had the highest divorce rate at 6.6 percent. While these numbers are interesting, a state with a “low” divorce rate does […]

Is Summary Dissolution Right for You?

March 1, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

If you are looking for a simplified divorce process, you may be interested in learning more about summary dissolution.  Summary dissolution involves less paperwork and you do not have to appear in court.  However, you must meet certain conditions before you qualify for a summary dissolution. First, you and your spouse must have agreed in […]

What is a California Emergency Protective Order?

February 24, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

Note: People can tell what internet sites you have visited on your computer. Be safe, and use the internet at a local library, friend’s house, or at work! An emergency protective order (EPO) is a court order that protects victims from domestic violence by prohibiting the victims’ abusers from coming within a certain distance of […]

Marital Debts: What You Need to Know

February 22, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

The community estate (i.e. a married couple’s community property and quasi-community property) is generally liable for either party’s premarital and pre-separation debts.  This rule applies regardless of which spouse has management and control of the property, and regardless of whether the debts were incurred to benefit both spouses. The community may be liable for child […]

Is a Divorce Right for You?

February 15, 2011 in Family Law /by David Patton

If you are currently living in northern California and are contemplating ending your marriage through a divorce, here is some basic information on what a divorce entails.  A “divorce,” or “dissolution of marriage,” legally terminates your marriage or domestic partnership.  After you are legally divorced, you are considered “single” and are free to remarry or […]

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1871 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126
Phone: (408) 553-0801 | Fax: (408) 553-0807 | Email: contact@lpeplaw.com

LONICH PATTON EHRLICH POLICASTRI

Phone: (408) 553-0801
Fax: (408) 553-0807
Email: contact@lpeplaw.com

1871 The Alameda, Suite 400
San Jose, CA 95126

Located in San Jose, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri handles matters for clients in northern California, specifically San Jose and Silicon Valley. Our services are available to anyone within the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and San Francisco. For a full listing of areas where we practice, please click here.

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