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SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation
A Team of Compassionate Legal Advocates 805-222-7818
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Thousand Oaks Divorce Attorneys Guiding You Through Difficult Times

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:

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:
  • 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
  • “Professional, Experienced, Real!”

    Deciding to file for divorce was by far one the most difficult decisions I have had to make. Having no idea where to start, who to believe, where to go, Donna was recommended by a friend. Upon calling her office, I was able to make an appointment right away. When I met with her, she listened to me attentively, asked questions and she explained the process from beginning to end. She did not sugar coat anything, she clearly explained all the different scenarios that I was facing, specific to my divorce and child custody matters. Donna helped me during the most overwhelming and stressful time in my life. I am grateful for her support and guidance throughout the entire process, I could not have do ne it on my own.

    - Tiffany
  • “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.
  • “Donna guided me through at a comfortable pace on both a personal and professional level.”

    I was going through a difficult divorce, one which was stressful to both my wife and myself, so I needed to find solutions which would be fair and just and to relieve the tension. I was living in the Bay Area at the time and did much of the work on the phone, on my computer and at the Santo Mehas office in Ventura. I had heard of the reputation of the Santo Mehas law firm and trusted Donna as a person of integrity and sensitivity which is who I needed to get through this difficult process. I was not looking forward to working with the personal sensitive issues or the introspection necessary to get through this difficult process. Donna guided me through at a comfortable pace on both a personal and professional level. The case ended in a fair and respectable settlement for both parties and my ex and I are still friends years later. I am much happier for knowing that this is from a previous life and I have moved on. I still keep in contact with the family law lawyers at Santo Mehas as well as my ex.

    - Phillip M.
  • “Working with Donna Santos and Michael Mehas was such a blessing.”
    “Working with Donna Santos and Michael Mehas was such a blessing.”
    - Melissa A.
  • “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
  • “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.
  • “I highly recommend them!”
    “The attorneys and staff were professional and helped guide me through a difficult process. The fees were very reasonable and the entire process took much less time than I anticipated. I highly recommend them!”
    - Michael S.
  • “The divorce was finalized with agreeable terms. I am so glad to get this difficult time settled and behind us.”

    My son was filing for divorce and he had child custody problems. The divorce was contentious and we hired Donna Santo because she is well known for handling these types of difficult situations. She was very easy to work with and was able to do most of the family law work via phone or e-mail. The divorce was finalized with agreeable terms. I am so glad to get this difficult time settled and behind us, and we have a great relationship with our grandchild.

    - Rhonda A.