Family Law Lawyers for Simi Valley, California
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Caroline N.
Caroline N.
Caroline is a solo attorney who provides legal counsel with a management-first mindset, combining legal expertise with proactive policy development. Prior to starting her own practice, Caroline gained extensive legal experience as a litigator defending and advising employers of all sizes, ranging from a single business owner, to a small family-owned winery, and major, nationwide corporations. Caroline also has experience on the plaintiffs' side representing survivors of sexual abuse against school districts and churches. With her unique litigation background and expertise representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Caroline understands that legal compliance is only a piece of the puzzle for business success. She is committed to leading with compassion to provide a personalized, approachable service for each client. Having safeguarded companies against a variety of business and employment disputes, Caroline is focused on preventative risk management, helping owners reduce potential employment litigation that she has defended firsthand in court. Caroline is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs spend less time worried about liability and more time focusing on business growth. Based in Los Angeles County, she provides accessible, actionable legal solutions throughout Southern California. During her free time, Caroline enjoys yoga and serving her Los Angeles community. In 2025, she partnered with NLSLA to provide pro bono legal services to individuals impacted by the Eaton Fire. Currently, she serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles.
"Caroline was fantastic to work with! She was thorough, responsive, and took the time to understand my business and what I actually needed. She explained her recommendations clearly, caught California-specific requirements I wasn’t aware of, and was very helpful with all of my follow-up questions. I feel much more confident using the final agreement with my clients and would absolutely work with her again. Highly recommend!"
Adam J.
I'm a California-licensed attorney with 18+ years of experience helping everyone from Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups to individuals navigating real-life legal situations. I bring an high degree of emotional intelligence to every matter, and am also certified as both a coach and as a counselor. My career started at Fenwick & West, one of Silicon Valley's top law firms, where I worked alongside names like Google, Airbnb, Kleiner Perkins, and Sequoia Capital. From there I moved in - house at companies like Cloudflare, Autodesk, and Enphase - which gave me a practical, business-minded perspective that I bring to every client, no matter the size of the matter. Today I work with businesses and individuals alike. On the business side, that means commercial contracts, leases, startup corporate work, and serving as a fractional general counsel for companies that need a trusted legal partner without the overhead. On the personal side, I help individuals with employment matters, disputes, demand letters, contract review, and the kind of everyday legal situations where you just need someone knowledgeable in your corner. I'm direct, responsive, and I speak plain English — not legalese. Whether you're a founder closing your first deal or an individual facing a situation you've never navigated before, I'll give you the same level of attention and care.
"I needed legal advice regarding ownership of solar panels after a bankruptcy and every attorney I spoke with stated they could not help me. Adam was the only one to step up and be an advocate for my family. He was extremely prompt with his communication and transparent with his fees. I never once felt like I was being ignored or having my concerns brushed aside. Adam listened and addressed every single one of my concerns in a professional manner. His knowledge with how solar companies work gave me the confidence to know I was going to achieve what I was looking for. I highly recommend Adam, I am so glad I hired him to represent me when nobody else would."
Mary G.
Prenuptial Agreements I represent clients in the preparation and review of prenuptial agreements. My experience includes drafting comprehensive prenuptial agreements on behalf of the initiating fiancé, ensuring that the agreement accurately reflects the client's financial interests, assets, liabilities, and objectives while complying with applicable legal requirements. I also represent the non-drafting fiancé by conducting a thorough review of proposed prenuptial agreements, identifying legal and financial issues, explaining the rights and obligations created by the agreement, recommending revisions where appropriate, and negotiating modifications to help protect my client's interests before execution. Probate Administration Represented a client in the complete administration of a California probate estate valued at approximately $1 million. Successfully handled the matter from the initial petition through final distribution, preparing all required court filings, advising the executor throughout the administration, resolving probate requirements, and obtaining court approval to close the estate. Achieved the successful distribution of the estate assets to the executor and sole beneficiary in accordance with California probate law.
"Hi hired Mary to help with my CA prenup. We had a tight turnaround and she was able to step in quickly to help meet our timeline. Mary was very prompt in responding to messages and quickly organized a call to talk through the prenup. She was a pleasure to work with and I recommend her services."
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April 19, 2026
Carver F.
I'm the principal attorney at FarrowLaw PC, a California business and commercial law firm based in Long Beach. My practice covers transactional work, employment law, litigation, and day-to-day advisory matters for business clients — essentially, I help companies make clear-eyed decisions about risk, contracts, and strategy without the usual legal hedging. Before law, I trained in computer science and worked in-house at technology companies, which gives me a working fluency in how tech businesses actually operate. A significant portion of my practice involves representing tech and startup clients, where that background lets me engage with technical realities rather than abstract them away. If you're working with a client who needs a practical California business lawyer — particularly one who speaks the language of tech — I'd welcome the introduction.
May 19, 2026
Joseph G.
Attorney with 18 years of trial/IP experience helping companies and individuals protect their intellectual property and avoid infringing the IP of others.
June 5, 2026
Talin M.
Dual-licensed attorney with expertise in several fields of law. I can help clients from nearly any jurisdiction. Serving both individuals and organizations of all sizes.
June 10, 2026
HALEY P.
Offering support services to in-house legal departments and small law firms.
Ryan D.
Ryan Darby is a California attorney and commercial real estate developer with more than a decade of civil litigation experience. From 2010 through 2024, he operated the Law Office of Ryan T. Darby. His practice initially focused on landlord-tenant matters and later shifted to defamation defense and First Amendment litigation, including anti-SLAPP motion practice. He served as co-counsel for the plaintiff-appellant in a published Ninth Circuit opinion that reversed the dismissal of First Amendment claims and established precedent protecting speech and press rights against retaliatory government action. Ryan founded Quintessential Capital in 2019 to pursue multifamily acquisitions and later shifted the company’s focus to flex-industrial development. He has since completed a ground-up flex-industrial project in Sparks, Nevada. As a real estate principal, he has negotiated letters of intent, purchase agreements, a loan agreement and related extension, and listing agreements. His legal experience includes drafting and negotiating leases, settlement agreements, and releases, and advising clients on contract disputes. Ryan earned his J.D. from Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law, where he served as a Senior Staff Editor of the Chapman Law Review. His current practice focuses on real estate and lease agreements, settlements and releases, and contract-related disputes. His experience as both counsel and client helps him distinguish between theoretical concerns and risks that matter in practice. Ryan lives in San Diego with his wife, young son, dog, and cat.
June 25, 2026
Edward L.
I handle litigation, trial, and appeal of civil rights, torts, breach of contract, and family law matters.
Mark M.
I help California businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals understand legal risk and resolve legal issues efficiently. My practice focuses on contract drafting, review, negotiation, business disputes, settlement agreements, and practical legal guidance tailored to each client's objectives. I emphasize clear communication, practical solutions, and work that clients can put to use immediately.
July 30, 2026
Pooja T.
I have spent over 19 years negotiating commercial and technology contracts across various industries. I have both Big Law and in house experience, most recently at Warner Bros. as a senior legal executive on their technology and commercial transactions team. I am a pragmatic dealmaker who balances business goals with legal risk.
August 14, 2026
Hunter M.
Before law school I built the contract management system for a publicly traded medical device company — so I read your agreement the way the people who have to live with it will, not just the way a court would. I draft and review business contracts on a fixed fee, with the delivery date agreed before I start. You get the redlined document plus a short written summary of what I changed, why it matters, and what I'd push back on if the other side objects. Revisions are included — I'd rather get the document right than count rounds. NDAs, MSAs and SOWs, contractor and employment agreements, SaaS terms, terms of service and privacy policies, operating agreements, vendor and construction contracts, and full contract review with a plain-English risk summary. Send me the document and what you're trying to accomplish with it, and I'll come back with a fixed fee and a date.
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Family Law
Separation Agreement
California
Can I modify a separation agreement without going to court?
I recently went through a separation from my spouse and we both signed a separation agreement that outlined the division of assets, child custody, and support. However, circumstances have changed and I would like to modify certain provisions of the agreement. I would like to know if it is possible to make these modifications without having to go to court and what the process would entail.
Randy M.
Yes, you can modify a separation agreement in California without having to go back to court, but how you do that depends on how your original agreement was set up. It all comes down to whether it was a private contract or part of a court order. If It’s a Private Agreement If your agreement was never filed with the court or made part of a judgment, you have a lot of flexibility. You and your spouse can agree to changes at any time. All you need to do is put those changes in writing, sign the amendment, and ideally get it notarized. That’s it. No court filings, no hearings. The new terms take effect as soon as both parties sign. If It’s a Court-Approved Agreement Things shift a bit if your agreement was filed with the court and incorporated into a judgment. In that case, it becomes a court order. Still, if both of you agree on the changes, you can usually avoid going to court in person. What you’ll want to do is file a “stipulated modification.” That’s a document both parties sign, laying out the new terms. Once it’s submitted, a judge reviews it and, assuming everything looks fine, signs off. It then becomes the new court order. Most of the time, this doesn’t require a hearing unless something needs clarification. Special Consideration: Anything Involving Children Here’s where it gets a little more sensitive. If your changes involve custody, visitation, or child support, the court still has jurisdiction over those issues even if you both agree on the new terms. Why? Because the law prioritizes the child’s best interests. You can absolutely agree on changes together, but to make them enforceable, it’s strongly recommended that you file them with the court. Without that step, if something goes sideways later, your informal agreement may not hold up legally. Property Division: Usually Final Unlike custody or support, property division is typically a one-and-done deal. Once it’s finalized in the original agreement, it’s not something you can just revise later unless there was fraud involved or a major asset was hidden during the initial process. When You Can’t Avoid Court There are certain situations where court involvement becomes unavoidable. For example, if your spouse doesn’t agree to the changes, if the changes involve contested child custody, visitation, or support, or if you need the court’s authority to make the new terms enforceable. In contested cases, the court will require proof that something has significantly changed since the original order. That could be a job loss, a major income shift, a move, or a change in a child’s needs. A Middle Ground: Mediation If you’re stuck but don’t want to dive straight into litigation, mediation can help. A neutral third party works with both of you to help find common ground. If you come to an agreement that way, you can still submit it to the court for approval so it becomes official. How to Handle a Non-Court Modification If you're handling this privately, here’s a quick step-by-step: check your original agreement to see if it includes a specific process for making changes; draft an amendment that clearly references the original agreement and spells out the new terms; both of you should sign and date it (and get it notarized if possible); and make sure it states that all other parts of the agreement remain in effect. Even if you’re not required to file it, consider submitting it to the court anyway to protect both parties legally If you’re both on the same page, modifying a separation agreement can be simple and cost-effective. Just don’t skip the paperwork. And when it comes to anything involving kids, court approval is almost always worth the extra step.
Family Law
Separation Agreement
New York
Can a separation agreement be modified after it has been signed?
Can a separation agreement be modified after it has been signed? My spouse and I recently went through a separation and we both agreed to the terms outlined in the agreement, which includes child custody, spousal support, and division of assets. However, circumstances have changed since signing the agreement, and I am wondering if it is possible to modify certain provisions to better suit our current situation. I want to know if there are any legal options available to amend the separation agreement or if we are bound by its terms indefinitely.
Lana A.
Any Separation Agreement can be amended but it must either be for cause or by agreement and acceptable to the court. There are only two avenues to amend a separation agreement after it is has agreed to and court ordered. 1) is by a motion made to the court based on the source of change of circumstances; this will involve a hearing and a decision by the court if the parties cannot agree 2) by the party's agreement or through mediation or negotiation. This must also be presented to the court for approval and to update the existing order.
Family Law
Prenuptial Agreement
New York
Is a prenuptial agreement legally binding in the event of a divorce?
I am engaged and considering getting a prenuptial agreement to protect my assets in case of a divorce, but I have heard conflicting information about their enforceability. I have worked hard to build my business and accumulate significant savings, and I want to ensure that these assets are protected in the event of a divorce. I would like to know if a prenuptial agreement is legally binding and what factors can affect its enforceability in my state.
Khari P.
A prenup would be binding in a divorce action provided that the prenuptial agreement was written properly, both parties disclosed all relevant financial information along with an acknowledgement that they had the right to consult an attorney of their own choosing before signing, and the signing was witnessed by a notary.
Family Law
Last Will and Testament
Oklahoma
I was in a common law marriage to this man for aprox 8 years in oklahoma. He suddenly passes away unexpectedly. During our relationship we purchased some property put a travel trailer on it. Moved a bldg which we added on to for laundry room and storage. We built fences worked the land together. The vehicles / 3 and travel trailor were in both our names. Bank accounts were only in his name. Savings account etc. The land was only in his name. He had an old will I wasn't part of that reading don't know what went on. He had no living children . Had 2 grandchildren that was taken very well of with his life ins. What am I to get legally. WE live in oklahoma.
Common law marriage spouse suddenly dies. He had no living children or parents. One brother 2 sisters and 2 grandchildren. One being an adult now I think. What do I legally get to keep?
Alan B.
Once a common law marriage is recognized, your legal entitlements mirror those of any legally married spouse. However, you must assert and demonstrate your common law marriage by clear and convincing evidence. Based on the details provided, this evidence might include, but is not limited to, cohabitation, joint ownership of vehicles and travel trailers, a long-term and exclusive relationship, and presenting yourselves publicly as husband and wife. In summary, under Oklahoma law, a common law marriage affords you the same rights as a traditionally married spouse, provided that you can substantiate your claim with clear and convincing evidence. As to what you would be entitled to, should you find yourself excluded from the will (as it appears you were), it would be within your rights to petition for the reopening of the probate process to claim your spousal share. If there was property outside of the will that needs to distributed, that may also need to be submitted for probate. Keep in mind that entitlements and the process to claim them can vary significantly based on the specifics of each case. Determinations on how to proceed are always fact-specific, and an Oklahoma lawyer specializing in family and estate law can assist you in getting what you would be entitled to as a common law spouse.
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