LPEP Will Try Their Best to Settle Before Court

While there is significant pressure to settle divorce disputes, we understand that it is not always possible. At Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, we prepare all of our cases for trial even as we work toward a settlement. We have fought for our clients before and know how to help you succeed.

LPEP is a reputable firm serving the San Jose and Santa Clara greater areas. Unlike most family law firms, our lawyers have experience with negotiation in court. Our experience with high-asset divorces in San Jose and Santa Clara, along with our reputation with successful child-custody cases makes us the best choice for your divorce litigation.

Our first objective in any divorce matter is to exhaust available settlement options, which also include mediation, use of private settlement judges, and other forms of collaborative law that do not require going to court.

We recognize, however, that the animosity created by a divorce can often impede effective child custody, property division, and alimony negotiations. In contentious cases, our team of family law litigators is well-equipped to prepare your case for trial from beginning to end. 

What to Expect If Your Divorce Litigation Goes to Trial

At LPEP, we strive for efficient and effective court litigation. Unfortunately, the extensive trial process sometimes means that the trial will consume several months or more than one year. The more complicated the case, the more likely it will be that the trial is lengthy.

It is critical to understand that divorce litigation is highly contentious and can be expensive. Much of family law litigation involves discovering existing financial assets, calculating child support, assessing the needs for spousal support, and making child custody determinations. 

If you want to give yourself and your children the best outcome, you must hire a reputable family law attorney. Only experienced trial attorneys will be able to do their best diligence during the discovery phase of aggregating information. 

During the discovery phase, attorneys will gather information to support your family law case. This includes information such as:

• Depositions – oral interviews that lawyers conduct with the presence of a court reporter to transcribe the interviews
• Subpoenas or Document Production Requests – formal requests to financial institutions to generate and submit records
• Interrogatories – formal written requests in which someone must submit a written response

Why is LPEP Your Best Choice for Your Divorce Litigation?

At Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, we make every effort to resolve these disputes without going to trial, falling in line with California court rules that require participation in a mandatory settlement conference before bringing a case to trial. 

With our broad litigation experience, we are able to develop effective and innovative courtroom strategies aimed at achieving our client’s objectives. In addition, our understanding of family law and the divorce litigation process allows us to effectively evaluate when it is appropriate to appeal a divorce decision.

In Santa Clara, San Jose, and surrounding areas, Settlement Officer Conferences and Judicial Custody Conferences are typically set at the outset of a case, and can often narrow the issues that need to be tried before the judge. 

Experienced trial lawyers are uncommon in the family law field, but not at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri. Founding partners David A. Patton and Michael E. Lonich began their careers over twenty years ago as litigation attorneys and have continued to hone and finely tune their trial skills since founding the firm in 1994. 

Partners Mitchell T. Ehrlich and Gina N. Policastri, who both began their careers at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri over a decade ago, have become seasoned family law litigators in their own right. Both have met the rigorous requirements for family law certification with the California State Bar, one of which is the completion of at least five family law trials.