Family Law Attorney in Santa Clarita 

Meeting with a family law attorney for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what to expect or what to bring. Whether you’re preparing for a divorce, custody dispute, support modification, or any other family law issue, taking a few simple steps before your initial consultation can make the process smoother and far more productive. The more organized you are, the more efficiently your attorney can understand your situation and start building a plan tailored to your goals.

What the Initial Consultation is Really For

Your initial consultation is the first step toward understanding your legal options and finding the right attorney for your needs. Consider this first meeting as a two-way conversation. Your attorney uses this time to learn about your circumstances, identify key issues, and discuss possible strategies, while you have the opportunity to ask questions and decide whether the attorney and firm are the right fit for you. During this meeting, your attorney may ask detailed questions about your marriage, finances, and family dynamics, explain the general legal process and potential timelines for your type of case, or outline what documents or information will be needed to move forward. The goal of the initial consultation is for you to leave feeling informed, supported, and confident going forward.

What to Bring

Bringing relevant paperwork to the initial consultation allows your attorney to provide accurate, personalized advice from the very beginning. If possible, consider preparing copies of the following:

1. Financial documents: These materials give your attorney a clearer picture of your financial landscape, which is crucial in matters involving property division, spousal support, or child support.

For example; pay stubs, tax returns, bank and credit card statements, retirement and savings account information, and any documentation of debts or loans.

2. Legal documents: Providing these documents helps your attorney quickly assess where your case stands and what will come in the future.

For example; marriage certificate, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, prior court orders, or any filings already submitted to the court.

3. Property information: These documents help identify marital and separate property, ensuring your attorney can properly evaluate any potential division issues.

For example; deeds, mortgage statements, vehicle titles, and insurance policies.

4. Information about children: For custody, visitation, and support matters, bring parenting schedules, prior custody or support orders, and relevant communications (texts, emails, etc.) about co-parenting or child-related decisions.

Questions You Might Ask

Before your meeting, take time to think about your main concerns, priorities, and ideal outcomes for your case. The initial consultation is meant to help you feel more prepared and confident as you move forward. Some questions you may consider asking during your initial consultation are:

• How long does this process typically take?

• What are my options for settlement versus trial?

• How can I protect my financial interests or parenting rights?

• What are the likely next steps after this meeting?

• How will communication and updates work between me and my attorney?

• What are the expected costs or fee structures for my type of case?

• What information or actions should I prioritize immediately?

A Few Basic Details to Have Ready

In addition to documents and questions, come prepared with general details such as your contact information, your spouse or co-parent’s information, dates of marriage and separation (if applicable,) names and birthdates of any children, or current living arrangements or custody schedules.

These basic details help your attorney quickly form a clear picture of your case and streamline the process following your consultation.

Final Thoughts

Preparation is the key to a productive initial consultation. The more organized and honest you are with your prospective family law attorney, the better equipped they’ll be to protect your interests and develop a strategy that aligns with your goals.

At the Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, we handle a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, custody, support, domestic violence, and more, each with the compassion and expertise they deserve. If you’re ready to schedule your initial consultation, contact our office today. We’ll help you prepare, understand your options, and take confident steps toward the best possible outcome for you and your family. Contact our office today at (661)-255-1800 or email office@chromanlaw.com to schedule a consultation.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please call our office to schedule a consultation at (661)-255-1800.

California family law doesn’t stay the same for long. Laws are passed every year that change how courts handle divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases. In 2026, three major updates will kick in. They’re meant to make the system more responsive to safety concerns and the real-world challenges families deal with in court.

Together, these changes create two themes: making divorce easier when both sides agree, and making the rules around firearms and domestic violence even tighter.

Joint Divorce Filings

Right now, divorce in California starts with one spouse filing and then serving the other. Even if both people agree it’s over, the law still makes them go through that extra step. It adds time, money, and a lot of formality to something that doesn’t always need it.

Starting January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 1427 (SB 1427) changes that. Couples who both agree can file a joint petition for divorce or legal separation. Filing together means no one has to serve the other and both parties are treated as if they’ve already appeared in the case.

That doesn’t mean the road will always stay smooth. If disagreements pop up later, either spouse can cancel the joint petition and move back into the traditional process. SB 1427 simply gives couples who are on the same page a direct path forward. Less paperwork. Fewer delays. And the option to fall back on the old system if things don’t stay cooperative.

Firearm Exemptions in DVRO Cases

In California, the law requires that anyone subject to a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) usually has to give up their firearms. In the past, however, courts have granted exemptions for work-related reasons, such as for those who are peace officers or security personnel, sometimes allowing continued possession for purposes of employment.

Starting January 1, 2026, Assembly Bill 2759 (AB 2759) makes those exceptions much harder to get. From now on, an exemption can only be granted if the person isn’t already prohibited under state or federal law from owning a gun in the first place.

The law also raises the standard for peace officers. It now applies specifically to sworn peace officers, and courts have to make two findings before granting an exemption:

• The officer’s personal safety depends on carrying a firearm outside of work hours

• The officer doesn’t pose an added threat to the protected party or the public.

For other jobs that require carrying a firearm, exemptions are still possible, but only if reassignment isn’t an option and the court finds no extra risk. And even then, any exemption has to be reviewed when a permanent restraining order is issued and again if it’s renewed.

AB 2759 makes it clear that safety comes first. Employment needs can’t outweigh the risk of putting firearms back into the hands of someone under a DVRO.

Domestic Violence, Custody, and Firearms

Custody disputes involving domestic violence are guided by Family Code § 3044. The law says there’s a presumption against giving custody to a parent with a history of abuse. Judges could already look at whether that parent had violated firearm restrictions under Family Code § 6389 when deciding if the presumption should stand.

Starting January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 899 (SB 899) makes the review even broader. Courts can now also consider firearm violations under Code of Civil Procedure § 527.9 and Penal Code § 18120.

This essentially means that judges will now have a wider lens to evaluate whether a parent who’s committed domestic violence should be trusted with custody, specifically when firearms are involved. SB 899 strengthens California’s stance that child safety in custody matters always comes first. By expanding the scope of firearm violations courts must weigh, the law doubles down on protecting children in custody disputes where domestic violence is already a factor.

Final Thoughts

The family law changes coming in 2026 clearly show that California is trying to make the family law system more efficient and secure. These reforms aren’t necessarily about adding more rules for the sake of it. They remove significant barriers where cooperation exists and add safeguards where danger does. It’s California’s latest step toward a family law system that better matches the realities families face every day.

If you have questions about how these California family law updates may affect your case, the Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman is here to help. Contact our office today at (661)-255-1800 or email office@chromanlaw.com to schedule a consultation.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please call our office to schedule a consultation at (661)-255-1800.

We hope you are enjoying your summer. Hopefully sipping on something cool at the beach or by the pool. It’s nice to get outside and explore while the sun is out. Many people are posting incredible vacation pictures, and others touring air-conditioned museums, getting their fill of movies, or having a nice staycation doing things they didn’t get to while cooped up throughout this past winter. If you are like me, you are holding on to all the summer days and nights you can! Summertime just has a fun energy about it.

As a parent, we also have back-to-school blues in the back of our minds. As registration approaches, bringing with it the endless schedules, the early bedtimes, packing lunches, back-to-school nights, the meal planning, and the carpool lane travesties. Also coming are the lists on lists of school supplies, and “sales” that will soon be on our laps. All the things the kids will need and oftentimes barely use, the backpacks, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, and crayons. Why we need another calculator, I will never know. As we anticipate these things that draw near, we can still set it aside to enjoy the warm summer nights with our kids, playing games and relishing in the time together.

However, for a select few parents, there is an added level of pressure that looms over them as they foresee custody exchanges and split costs of sports and extracurricular activities that have bills coming due. At minimum, there are a few things that you can do to circumvent issues in a split custody household, such as:

Communicate. Being up-front and honest with the other parent about arrangements that involve the children can stave off issues that may otherwise cause drama no one wants. Choose your words kindly and keep your children’s best interest in mind when communicating with the other parent. Also, letting the school know of your split household and custody arrangements is a good idea so they know how to handle situations– if they arise. This will also let them know to always communicate with both parents. However, giving the school custody schedules does not mean telling them every sordid detail of the situation. Basic information for the safety and well-being of your children is necessary, everything else can become gossip.

Stay calm. Contentious situations can bring out the worst in the best people. Don’t let a momentary situation or comment trigger you into forgetting who you are and who you want to be for your children. Staying calm and revisiting a situation later when the heat cools will help avoid creating a bigger problem than is present. Making decisions with a clear mind will help put things in perspective.

Be Reasonable. It is easy in divided households to remember all the things that caused the divide. When things feel so one-sided and when presented with a situation where you can choose to be difficult, as well, choose to be reasonable instead. Parent how you want the other parent to act and lead by example. This does not discount things that have happened, but it does make the current situation easier for your children and that is the most important thing to remember.

Show Receipts. No, not those kinds of receipts! When you are preparing for the needs of your children, such as back-to-school supplies, if this is a cost you split, keep a record and let the other parent know that you are planning on purchasing the necessary items, when you can do the shopping, and what you estimate the costs could be. This goes for sports and extracurricular activities that come with those hefty price tags. Give the courtesy you would expect with expenses. Don’t assume they can or will be able to pay you the moment you hand them a receipt. Plan ahead and let them know in advance so that they can prepare just as you are preparing. This will help you get a refund of the expenses more quickly and cause less conflict in an already tense circumstance.

If you can do these things but find that the other parent seems adamant about creating conflict rather than avoiding them, call our office and find out ways we can help navigate your unique situation. We can assist with custody and visitation orders or modifications which are crucial for challenging situations. Likewise, support and reimbursements may be needed in many instances with children. We are here to assist and would welcome the opportunity to support you.

For more information and to schedule a consultation, please call the Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., at 661-255-1800 or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com. Mr. Chroman is a Trusted Advisor Award Winner and named Top 100 California Attorneys with over 26 years of experience and local service and rated a Super Lawyer for consecutive years. Also, you may purchase Mr. Chroman’s best-selling Divorce Workbook on Amazon.

This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.