Law Office of James Chau, P.C.

10/12/2026

Not every family law matter has to be decided in a courtroom.
Mediation can help people work toward practical solutions through respectful discussion, often saving time and reducing conflict along the way.
Learn more: https://www.jameschaulaw.com/mediation

Mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Mediation can resolve the issues facing a couple going through a divorce without having to litigate. Mediation is often less expensive than traditional litigation and does not involve the use of the courts or judges except for the filing o...

10/09/2026

Write down your questions before your first divorce consultation.
It’s easy to forget what you wanted to ask once the conversation starts.
Bring the questions you need answered to understand your next steps.
Call the Law Office of James Chau: 408-899-8364.

10/07/2026

A tech layoff changes your income. It doesn't automatically change your support order.
In California, a substantial change in circumstances may support a request to modify spousal support.
The existing order and the reasons for the income change both matter when evaluating that request.
Read more:
https://www.jameschaulaw.com/post/modifying-spousal-support-in-silicon-valley-what-qualifies-as-a-material-change-in-circumstances

A tech layoff, RSU cliff, or career change can affect spousal support. Learn how California courts evaluate modification requests.

10/05/2026

Sometimes you need legal guidance, not full representation.
Limited scope services allow you to work with an attorney for specific parts of your case, giving you professional support where you need it most.
Learn more: https://www.jameschaulaw.com/limited-scope

Limited scope representation may be the right choice for you. Limited Scope is when you and a lawyer agree that will handle certain parts of your case, and you will be self-represented for the remaining.

10/02/2026

Friday Thought
You don’t have to solve everything at once.
Family law issues can bring a lot of questions with them, and it’s natural to want answers to all of them right away.
Focus on the decisions that need to be made now. The rest can be handled one step at a time.

09/30/2026

Taking your child on an international trip can involve a few extra steps when you share custody.
Before booking the flight, check your custody order and find out whether you need the other parent's consent or additional travel documents.
Sorting that out early can make the trip a lot less stressful.
Read more: https://www.jameschaulaw.com/post/taking-your-child-abroad-what-california-parents-need-to-know-about-international-travel-and-custod

For many families in the Bay Area, traveling internationally is not a luxury. It is how children stay connected to grandparents, extended family, and the cultures they come from. A trip to India, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, or anywhere else a family has roots is part of ordinary life fo...

09/28/2026

Child support is designed to help meet a child's ongoing needs after parents separate.
Understanding how support is calculated can help parents plan for the future and avoid unnecessary confusion.
Learn more: https://www.jameschaulaw.com/child-support

Each parent is equally responsible for providing for the financial needs of their child. However, the court cannot enforce this obligation until it makes an order for support.

09/25/2026

Helpful Tip Friday
Going through a divorce? Think twice before posting about it on social media.
A frustrated post, photo, comment, or even a joke can take on a very different meaning when viewed in the context of a family law case.
You don't have to disappear from social media. Just remember that anything you share could potentially become part of the conversation later.

09/23/2026

Getting divorced does not automatically mean losing your immigration status.
But divorce can affect some non-citizens differently depending on their visa, green card status, or where they are in the immigration process.
Knowing how the two issues may intersect can help you avoid surprises.
Read more: https://www.jameschaulaw.com/post/divorce-and-immigration-status-what-non-citizens-in-california-need-to-know

For most people going through a divorce, the legal process is complicated enough on its own. For non-citizens whose immigration status is tied to their marriage, a divorce that is straightforward under California family law can trigger consequences in federal immigration law that take years to unwin...

09/21/2026

Dividing property is about more than deciding who gets what.
California law has specific rules for identifying and dividing marital assets, making it important to understand your rights before reaching an agreement.
Learn more: https://www.jameschaulaw.com/property-division

The property and debts of a divorce or legal separation are often complicated, and the cost of making a mistake is so high that you should talk to a lawyer before filing your papers.