Business Details
48 Years
experience
Trusted Family Law Representation
Established in 1978, our law firm has provided comprehensive legal services to clients across the San Francisco Bay Area for over 45 years. Our practice focuses on family law matters, including divorce, child custody, spousal support, and domestic partnership terminations, with particular expertise in high-conflict cases and complex custody arrangements. With decades of combined experience, our legal team approaches each case with tactical precision while maintaining compassion for clients navigating emotionally challenging situations.We represent clients in multiple California counties, offering strategic counsel in both contested litigation and negotiated settlements. Our office maintains rigorous professional standards, evidenced by our attorneys' long-standing affiliations with county bar associations and recognition in Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who in American Law. We operate from a client-centered philosophy, ensuring accessibility through an after-hours answering service while maintaining transparent communication throughout the legal process.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody Litigation
Spousal Support Negotiation
Move-Away Cases
Child Support Determination
Prenuptial Agreements
Domestic Partnership Dissolution
Restraining Orders
Post-Judgment Modifications
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of dedicated family law practice
- Proven success in complex custody litigation
- Compassionate approach to sensitive family matters
- Strategic negotiation and trial experience
- Recognized legal expertise in California courts
Associations and certifications
- Who's Who of American Women
- Who's Who in American Law
What people say
Fantastic job
Knowledgeable and efficient
Compassionate attorney
Saved our family
Tenacious advocate
Services
Divorce Representation
Our firm specializes in California divorce proceedings, guiding clients through no-fault dissolution, property division, and child custody arrangements. We handle both contested litigation and negotiated settlements with equal proficiency. Our attorneys understand the emotional complexity of marital dissolution and work to protect clients' financial interests while maintaining respectful courtroom representation. We serve clients across multiple counties in the Bay Area.
Child Custody Litigation
We provide strategic legal counsel in contested child custody cases, focusing on the child's best interests while protecting parental rights. Our practice handles high-conflict custody disputes, relocation cases, and modifications of existing orders. Our attorneys have extensive experience with California's child custody laws, including specialized knowledge of factors determining custody and visitation rights.
Spousal Support Negotiation
Our firm advises clients on temporary and permanent spousal support matters, balancing financial realities with legal requirements. We represent both payor and recipient spouses in support calculations, modification requests, and enforcement actions. Our attorneys consider all statutory factors during negotiations while maintaining focus on clients' long-term financial security.
Move-Away Cases
We handle complex relocation cases involving custody modifications and jurisdictional transfers. Our practice addresses the unique challenges of joint custody preservation during geographic moves. We prepare comprehensive legal strategies demonstrating either the child's best interests for relocation or reasons to maintain existing custody arrangements.
Child Support Determination
Our firm provides expert guidance on California child support guidelines, addressing income disparities and special needs considerations. We represent clients in initial support determinations, modification requests, and enforcement actions. Our legal team ensures accurate application of visitation time-share percentages and gross income calculations per family code provisions.
People
Arlene D Kock, APLC
CEO & Sole Practitioner
Family law attorney with 40+ years of experience, recipient of Whos Who of American Women and Whos Who in American Law distinctions. Former Alameda County Bar Association board member and ethics committee chair. Handles complex family law matters with strategic courtroom advocacy and compassionate client counseling.
Questions
How does California determine child custody arrangements?
California prioritizes the child's best interests, considering health, safety, and frequent parental contact absent abuse. Courts evaluate multiple factors from parental stability to child welfare.
What happens during California's divorce process?
California requires six-month residency before filing dissolution. The process involves petition filing, service, response periods, and either negotiated settlements or court-ordered resolutions.
Can I relocate with children after divorce?
Relocation (move-away) cases require demonstrating the move serves the child's best interests. The burden of proof depends on existing custody arrangements.
How is child support calculated in California?
Support calculations consider both parents' incomes, visitation schedules, and the child's needs using specialized software to determine guideline amounts.
What factors determine spousal support duration?
Duration correlates with marriage length - typically half the marriage length for shorter unions, with potential indefinite support for 10+ year marriages.
