Petaluma Family Law Firm
Local, Strategy-Driven Family Law — Serving Petaluma & All of Sonoma County
Family law issues — divorce, custody, support, and property division — touch every aspect of life: finances, children’s routines, long-term security. In Petaluma and throughout Sonoma County, families deserve solutions that protect futures, preserve dignity, and minimize conflict.
Warren Major LLP is based in San Rafael, California, and serves clients across Sonoma County — Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Windsor, and beyond. Our focus is on informal resolution, mediation, collaborative negotiation, and settlement to save cost, time, and emotional strain. Nearly all of our cases — 99% — resolve without trial.
Except where litigation becomes necessary, we keep families out of court and in control of their outcomes.
Divorce in Petaluma: Practical, Local, Strategy-First
- Shared homes and real estate
- Retirement and investment accounts
- Business interests or professional practices
- Parenting time and custody arrangements
- Spousal support and income evaluation
California follows community property law, meaning most assets and debts acquired during marriage are divided equitably at dissolution. (See California Courts Self-Help Guide: Property Division.)
Warren Major LLP approaches each case with a strategy-first mindset — organizing assets, planning support, and negotiating with precision — so settlement is both efficient and fair.
Why Informal Resolution & Mediation Matter
The Judicial Council of California supports mediation and settlement discussions as part of family law cases, noting that many family law matters can settle outside trial through structured communication. (See California Rules of Court, Family Law Mediation/Child Custody Recommending Counseling.)
Structured negotiation saves money.
Collaborative resolution reduces stress.
Settlement means control stays with the family.
Warren Major LLP prepares clients thoroughly for mediation: financial documents, parenting proposals, support models, and settlement frameworks — maximizing the chance for agreement without court.
Petaluma Divorce Mediation Attorneys
- Financial disclosure and analysis
- Custody and visitation proposals
- Support arrangements
- Property and debt division
Attorney consultation early in the process significantly improves outcomes and reduces uncertainty.
Property Division With Focused Analysis
In Sonoma County, property division in divorce cases can be complex. Couples may have homes in Petaluma, vacation properties, investment accounts, business interests, and retirement plans. Detailed documentation and accurate classification matter.
Understanding community vs. separate property — especially when funds have commingled — is key. Courts expect organized presentation of data, and failure to disclose fully can lead to sanctions or unexpected outcomes. (See California Courts Self-Help Guide: Financial Disclosures.)
Warren Major LLP organizes financial records, traces assets, and builds settlement proposals that reduce conflict and improve clarity in negotiation.
Child Custody & Co-Parenting Agreements
Parenting matters in Petaluma often involve schedules, schools, transportation, and co-parent communication. California courts apply a uniform standard: the best interest of the child. (See California Family Code §3011.)
Health, safety, and welfare
History of care and parental involvement
The child’s ties to school and community
Any evidence of abuse or substance issues
Spousal Support — Practical & Fair
- Duration of marriage
- Standard of living during marriage
- Age and health of the spouses
- Earning capacity and employment prospects
(See California Courts Self-Help Guide: Spousal Support.)
Settlement-oriented strategies set realistic expectations and prevent drawn-out battles. Warren Major LLP uses predictive support analysis that focuses on sustainable arrangements, not endless conflict.
Resolving Disputes Without Court Saves Money
- Court filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Time lost
- Emotional impact on families and children
Mediation and informal resolution compress conflict instead of expanding it. Choosing settlement over courtroom trials is often the most cost-effective path forward.
Services We Provide
- Divorce & legal separation
- Santa Rosa and Petaluma divorce mediation
- Collaborative negotiation
- Property division & financial planning
- Child custody & co-parenting plan development
- Child support matters
- Post-judgment modifications
Every case begins with a strategy first evaluation and a focus on settlement. Litigation is a tool, not a starting point.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Do most Petaluma divorce cases go to trial?
What is collaborative law?
How soon should I consult a family law attorney?
What documents will I need for mediation?
Begin With Strategy, Not Conflict
Divorce is disruptive. It affects finances, family, and future planning. Warren Major LLP prioritizes mediation, collaboration, and settlement to achieve efficient, fair outcomes for families in Petaluma and throughout Sonoma County.
Most cases settle. Most families avoid costly courtroom conflict. That is intentional. That is strategic.
