Compassionate Legal Assistance
Attorney James Anderson is a member of the Van Maren family, which has played an important role in the community of Citrus Heights, California, for six generations. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, he is uniquely qualified to handle any legal matter your family may face.
Family Law Attorney in Roseville, CA
Serving Families Throughout Placer County, Nevada County, & Sacramento County
At The Law Office James-Phillip V.M. Anderson, Roseville-area families work directly with a Certified Family Law Specialist designated by the State Bar of California. That designation isn’t self-described. It requires demonstrated experience in family law, a written examination, and favorable evaluations from judges and fellow attorneys. Whether you’re navigating a divorce, a custody dispute, a property division question, or a support matter, you’re working with an attorney whose qualifications have been independently verified. We serve clients throughout Placer County, Nevada County, and Sacramento County.
- Divorce – A divorce touches nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from finances to living arrangements to long-term plans. We help clients work through the process toward a resolution that holds up.
- Property Division – Property division under California community property law raises complex questions: Who keeps the house, how are investments divided, and what happens to a family business? We work toward a settlement that reflects our clients’ interests and satisfies California law.
- Spousal Support – California recognizes that all contributions to a marriage, financial and non-financial alike, matter when determining a fair spousal support arrangement. We help clients understand what they may be entitled to and advocate for a position grounded in the relevant factors under the California Family Code.
- Child Custody and Support – Decisions about where children live, how custody is shared, and how key parenting decisions get made are among the most consequential in any family law case. We also help clients develop a child support plan that meets California’s guideline calculations and reflects the child’s best interests.
Having an experienced Roseville family law attorney on your side matters. Our attorney serves clients throughout Placer County, Nevada County, and Sacramento County.
A Certified Family Law Specialist Serving Roseville
James-Phillip V.M. Anderson holds the Certified Family Law Specialist designation from the State Bar of California. This places him among a select group of California attorneys who have met rigorous standards for experience, examination, and peer evaluation. Before entering practice, Anderson interned for the Honorable Jaime Roman during Judge Roman’s tenure as a family law court judge, gaining direct exposure to judicial decision-making and courtroom process that few practitioners bring into their careers. He is an active member of both the Placer County Bar Association and the Sacramento County Bar Association.
Resolution Paths We Offer
When clients come to us, we listen first. Family law matters are rarely straightforward, and the right path forward depends entirely on each client’s goals and circumstances. Full representation in Placer County Superior Court is one option. For clients better served outside of litigation, we also offer mediation, collaborative divorce, and limited scope (unbundled) legal services. These allow clients to hire us for specific parts of their case rather than full representation. Whatever approach aligns with our clients’ needs, that’s the one we take.
Call (916) 791-7273 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a Certified Family Law Specialist serving Roseville, CA.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce?
Strictly speaking, the answer is no. The state of California allows people to represent themselves. But—and yes, we understand we’re biased—a lot is missed out on when a reliable and experienced attorney isn’t present. Essential issues in the property settlement might be getting overlooked. Agreements on child support or spousal support might be less than what a spouse or parent deserves. And, even in the simplest of divorce cases, a lawyer can still provide efficient services in filing documents and responding to motions, allowing their client to focus on the next era of their life.
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What if my ex isn’t paying child support?
The failure to pay child support is a serious offense, one for which a spouse can go to jail. Child support agreements are effectively a court order and failure to comply is contempt of court. Judges will give a delinquent child support payer every opportunity to bring their payments current, but the recipient spouse should not hesitate to take legal action if not getting what they are properly owed.
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Who gets the house in a divorce?
The house will be subject to California’s community property laws, which require a 50/50 split of all marital property between spouses. Whether the family home ends up with a spouse or is sold depends on how the parties negotiate the settlement. No uniform rule exists on how any particular marital property should be distributed.
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How do I get a restraining order?
If you are in imminent danger, call the police. If police concur that the threat of domestic violence is real and imminent, they can have a judge issue an emergency protective order that will last up to a week. Then your lawyer can help secure a temporary restraining order, which lasts for 20-25 days and is intended to keep you safe until the hearing. At the hearing, evidence of the need for long-term protection can be presented. If the evidence is persuasive, a judge may issue a permanent restraining order that can last as long as five years.
