Thousand Oaks Divorce Attorneys
Strong-Yet-Compassionate Divorce Services
Divorce can be scary to contemplate, but for many couples, it is the best choice. At SANTO MEHAS, A Professional Law Corporation, we know how difficult it is to go through a divorce. With over 70 years of legal experience behind us, we are well-versed in all aspects of divorce in California and are prepared to use our wealth of knowledge to help you through it.
Whether you have been married for five years or five decades, we have the resources and skills to handle your case from start to finish. We have worked with many clients in Thousand Oaks on all types of divorces, including high-net-worth divorces. When you need someone on your side, turn to us.
Divorce is never easy. Reach out to SANTO MEHAS, A Professional Law Corporation for thoughtful, caring representation. Call us at (805) 222-7818 or send us a message online.
Get Help Navigating a Contested Divorce
In California, there are two types of divorces: uncontested and contested. An uncontested divorce is when a couple agrees on all aspects of their settlement. Meanwhile, a contested divorce is more challenging and often more contentious. A contested divorce occurs when a couple disagrees on one or all aspects of their divorce settlement. It is recommended that you have legal representation no matter what type of divorce you are going through. However, it is especially important to secure legal counsel during a contested divorce.
Our attorneys can help with all aspects of your divorce, including:
- Spousal support agreements
- Property and debt division negotiations
- Child custody agreements
- Child support agreements
Not only can an attorney help explain your rights to you, but should you be in a situation where your spouse refuses to come to an agreement with you, they can also represent you in court. Divorce litigation can be challenging, but with the help of one of our experienced attorneys, you can have peace of mind knowing someone is looking out for your best interests.
Child Custody Services in Thousand Oaks
Navigating child custody matters can be one of the most challenging aspects of family law. At SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and strategic legal support to help you reach favorable outcomes for your family.
Child custody encompasses both legal and physical aspects. Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions regarding the child's upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious instruction. Physical custody determines where the child will reside and the logistics of day-to-day parenting.
Types of Custody Arrangements
- Sole Custody: One parent is granted either sole legal or physical custody, or both.
- Joint Custody: Both parents share legal and/or physical custody, promoting a cooperative approach to parenting.
- Split Custody: In cases with multiple children, custody arrangements may differ for each child.
Factors Considered by the Court
When determining custody arrangements, the court prioritizes the child's best interests, taking into account:
- The child's age and health
- Emotional ties between the child and each parent
- Each parent's ability to provide a stable environment
- The child's preference, depending on their age and maturity
- Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
Why Choose SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation?
Our firm understands that every family situation is unique. We are committed to understanding your specific needs and advocating for solutions that prioritize the wellbeing of your children. With extensive experience in family law, our attorneys are equipped to handle even the most complex custody disputes, ensuring that your rights and interests are protected every step of the way.
Reach out to SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation today to discuss your child custody concerns. Let us guide you through this challenging process with the expertise and compassion your family deserves.
Professional Mediation Services
Mediation is a valuable tool and can help make the divorce process smoother. When a couple decides to mediate their divorce, they will meet with a third-party mediator. The mediator does not take sides or tell you what to do. Instead, they remain neutral and facilitate the couple’s negotiations as they work towards an agreement. Therefore, you and your spouse will continue to work with your individual lawyers during the mediation process. Your attorney will help you understand your options and can help you make important legal decisions with confidence.
The benefits of divorce mediation include:
- Keeps the terms of your divorce out of the public record
- Reduces stress and potentially reduces contention between divorcing parties
- Can encourage a healthy co-parenting relationship
- Helps couples retain more control over the outcome of their divorce
Mediation can be used to resolve a wide range of divorce and family law disputes, including child custody and visitation, asset, property and debt division, and spousal support. However, mediation is not appropriate for everyone. For example, in highly contentious divorces or cases where there have been instances of domestic violence, mediation may not be a good idea. We recommend you consult with one of our lawyers before moving ahead with mediation.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You
We know how stressful divorce is at SANTO MEHAS, A Professional Law Corporation. We also understand that it can take an emotional toll on everyone involved, especially if your case drags out longer than you expected. Our Thousand Oaks divorce attorneys work hard to help our clients move through the divorce process as smoothly as possible. From handling the paperwork and other logistics to ensuring that you understand all your legal options, we are here for you.
You don’t have to go through your divorce alone. Call SANTO MEHAS, A Professional Law Corporation for strong legal support at (805) 222-7818, or contact us online.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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“During an emotional and stressful trial, she was the voice of calm and reason.”
“Donna Santo has gone above and beyond the call of duty. She evaluated the case and set a road map towards a realistic goal. Donna continuously deescalated personal issues and conflicts while keeping the focus on the welfare of the child involved.”- Eli G. -
“I highly recommend using them!”
- Kirstie D.Donna Santo and Michael William Mehas have been amazing to work with. Very professional, knowledgeable , and kind. They helped me with a custody case and my family and I couldn’t be happier.
They were a blessing to us and we will forever appreciate them.
Thank you so much ❤️!
I highly recommend using them!
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“Donna obtained a good result for me, for which I am ever grateful.”
- Carla H.I met Donna Santo over 20 years ago, when I needed an attorney to represent me in a post-judgment custody dispute trailing across three states due to my nomadic military background. As prior military I had a great respect for the courts. I met Donna first, and she scared me. But of course that was what I wanted: a sharp, assertive attorney. The onset of that custodial dispute marks one of the most horrible periods of my life. Fortunately, Donna and her team were my guides as well as my advocates. To this day, when on occasion I have needed a family law attorney, I have called Donna. She has always obtained a good result for me.
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“Santo Mehas what a great team”
SANTO MEHAS WHAT A GREAT TEAM ,VERY CARING, GOT THE JOB DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER .I WOULD RECOMMEND TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.- Alice D. -
“Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse.”
- J.T.Donna and her staff are highly experienced/knowledgeable with family law. My case was complicated by child custody and divorce issues. For several years, my ex sought to always try and bring me back to court for mundane issues. Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse. I highly recommend Donna to anybody needing a qualified legal professional with a heart.
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“Working with Donna was refreshing.”
“Working with Donna was refreshing.”- Daniel W. -
“Donna is a fantastic attorney!”
- EduardoCan’t get a better attorney than Donna Santo. Donna is a fantastic attorney! She was able to comprehend the complications associated with nasty child custody problems and bitter divorce disputes. Donna and her staff were and continue to be extremely caring and empathetic to my family’s needs. I hold Donna with the utmost respect and recommend her to anybody who needs a knowledgeable and savvy attorney.
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“Donna Santo is a very professional lawyer”
- KathyDonna Santo is a very professional lawyer, along with a very professional staff. I was searching for a lawyer familiar with military law, and Donna was the top of the search!! I needed a divorce attorney, and she has amazing military knowledge. She kept me up to date on everything and if I did not understand something she was very patient and explained in detail, until I completely understood the situation. When it came down to spousal support, a lump sum was not satisfactory, and Donna "fought" for me until I was awarded a lump sum and full monthly spousal support (we did not have children) and now I am able to live comfortably without worrying if I am going to make ends meet. If you need a professional lawyer, whether or not you need military law, consider Donna Santo, you will definitely NOT be disappointed!!