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Domestic Partnerships Guiding You Through Difficult Times

Ventura Domestic Partnership Attorneys

California Domestic Partnership Laws

Provisions governing California domestic partnerships can be found in the California Family Code. A domestic partnership is established when two parties meet certain criteria as specified by these laws.

How Can I Form a Registered Domestic Partnership in California?

To form a registered domestic partnership, each individual needs to file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership and fulfill the following criteria:

  • Both individuals are 18 years old (some exceptions are allowed)
  • The individuals cannot be blood related
  • Both individuals cannot be married or in another domestic partnership
  • Both individuals must consent to the domestic partnership
  • Both are members of the same sex or one or both is/are eligible for Social Security benefits and over *62 years old (this has been updated – see below)

*Governor Newsom signed a bill on July 30, 2019 redefining who is eligible for a registered domestic partnership, allowing opposite-sex couples under the age of 62 the option to form such a partnership. This new law was put into effect on January 1, 2020.

How Can I Terminate a Registered Domestic Partnership in California?

A domestic partnership can also be terminated under certain conditions. All these conditions are set forth in the California Family Code and must be met or the domestic partnership will be terminated through proceedings in California Superior Court.

California Domestic Partnerships & Same-Sex Marriages

The California Supreme Court issued a major decision on May 15, 2008 regarding same-sex marriages, which did not invalidate or change any of the California Family Code statutes related to registered domestic partners.

  • Registered domestic partnerships will continue to be active on California’s domestic partnership registry. 
  • The California Secretary of State will continue to process domestic partnership-related filings as permitted by the domestic partnership law.

If you have questions about how the California Supreme Court’s decision may apply to your circumstances, contact us online.

How Domestic Partnership Separations Work

A domestic partnership separation is treated just like a typical divorce. However, regardless of the situation, you should find an experienced attorney who has helped people with their child support, child custody, visitation, and/or property division case.

Do Registered Domestic Partners Have the Same Legal Rights as Spouses in California?

California law states that Registered Domestic Partners have many of the same rights as spouses. These rights include:

  • The ability to add a partner to state-administered health insurance benefits
  • The right to inheritance, should one partner die
  • The ability to raise a child born during the partnership
  • The ability to adopt a child born before the partnership
  • The right to own community property
  • The ability to take their domestic partner’s last name or combine their last names

How Our Ventura Domestic Partnership Lawyers Can Serve You

At SANTO MEHAS, negotiated settlement is always our preferred method of choice. In the event this is not possible, we are also able to help litigate your domestic partnership in court.

We take pride in the way we communicate and serve our clients. With us, there will always be someone available at our office to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Fill out a contact us form online or give us a call at (805) 222-7818 for help with your domestic partnership case. 

An Emphasis on Strong Family Values

Our firm places a strong emphasis on the importance of family values. The balance between maintaining these family values and generating a better future for you and your family is one we strive to achieve with each case. Our values consist of:
  • Holistic Approach

    We aim to resolve conflict so you and your family can move on peacefully. We approach all aspects of a case, including the emotional, financial, and mental components, and advocate with you throughout.

  • Collaboration

    Collaborative divorce can be a great option for spouses looking to share joint custody of their child/children and the court looks favorably on this decision. When possible, we strive to come to a resolution that will benefit both spouses.

  • Children Come First

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

  • Compassionate Legal Services

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

Our Satisfied Clients

Real Stories from Real People
  • “I recommend them”
    Never fun needing to hire a lawyer but Michael and Donna were great to work with and helped to make the process go smoothly. They were both easy to reach, offered clear advice, and were honest in all of their interactions. I recommend them if you find yourself in need of solid legal help.
    - Brian L.
  • “Thank you, Michael, you're a true professional and a very good attorney.”

    We had a real legal emergency at our business and Michael Mehas was there to immediately respond to the other side, allowing us to resolve our matter favorably. Thank you, Michael, you're a true professional and a very good attorney, and I would recommend you for any business or other legal matter.

    - Judy M.
  • “Santo Mehas is the law firm you want on your side.”
    If you have to go through divorce and child custody, Santo Mehas is the law firm you want on your side. Both lawyers are very professional and knowledgeable yet caring and want the best for their clients. They work hard for their clients at every level and go above and beyond to make their clients relaxed and comfortable with the family law processes.
    - Jasmin R.
  • “I recommend them with 5 stars”

    I have deep appreciation for my family law attorneys Donna Santo and Michael Mehas.  Thank you so much for your help in my highly complex divorce.   I have witnessed the great professionalism with which Donna defends me in Court.  And I appreciate the sincerity, loyalty and moral support that Michael provides to his clients.  He’s always ready to answer questions and take my calls.  I recommend them with 5 stars, as they are simply the best lawyers and family law firm in Ventura county.

    - Maria C.
  • “Donna did a great job on my divorce.”
    “They kept the case on track, knew which options were optimal, and responded well to my preferences for proceeding.They kept legal bills to a minimum as they worked expertly on my behalf.”
    - David
  • “The level of honesty and professionalism is beyond compare, not to mention compassion.”
    “The level of honesty and professionalism is beyond compare, not to mention compassion. I feel that any attorney that can show compassion to their client as well as represent them is by far the best attorney.”
    - Erin H.
  • “A knowledgeable attorney with a strong character and ethical integrity.”

    Thank you Michael for everything you have done for me. You are a knowledgeable attorney with a strong character and ethical integrity.

    - Donald T.
  • “Donna, through her vast experience, was able to give me my financial life back and has made it possible for me to plan for my future.”

    Great family law attorney. I consulted with Donna Santo regarding my complex family law case and was immediately impressed with her professionalism, knowledge and experience. Throughout my case I was given status updates and was able to pick up the phone and contact Donna. I never felt lost during the process. Donna was able to answer all of my questions and respond to all of my concerns. My ex wife went through several attorneys and even was self-represented for a while. Through all of this, Donna stayed the course, went to trial and we prevailed on all issues.

    Because of Donna’s ability to understand real property laws, ours was in another country, complex income tax issues, self-employment and corporation income components, breach of fiduciary duty in my case, we were able to present our well-prepared case to the court.

    Donna, through her vast experience, was able to give me my financial life back and has made it possible for me to plan for my future.

    Needless to say I am pleased with the outcome in my case and highly recommend Donna, and her helpful staff, to anyone needing a professional Family Law attorney in Ventura County.

    - Dan