Ghazi Law Group, APLC

07/27/2026

The San Fernando Valley is one of the most diverse
communities in Los Angeles.

For many families here, divorce doesn't just affect
property and custody.

It affects immigration status.

If your spouse sponsored your green card and your
marriage is ending, what you file and when you file
it matters more than most people realize.

A few things that regularly catch people off guard:

The I-864 Affidavit of Support your spouse signed
doesn't end when the divorce does. That financial
obligation can continue for years after.

If you hold a conditional green card, divorce during
the 2-year period requires a different legal strategy
than a standard green card situation.

VAWA protection exists specifically for people in
abusive marriages where immigration status has been
used as a control tactic. It's completely confidential
from your spouse.

These two areas of law — immigration and family law —
are rarely handled by the same office.

We handle both.

More information at ghazilawgroup.com/family-lawyer-san-fernando-valley.

07/20/2026

A prenup doesn't mean you expect the marriage to fail.

It means you're having an honest conversation about
money before the stress of a divorce forces you to.

In California, a prenuptial agreement can protect:

— A business you built before the marriage
— An inheritance you expect to receive
— Assets you're bringing in from a previous marriage
— Retirement accounts with decades of contributions

But here's what most people don't know:

California has strict rules about how prenups must
be signed to be enforceable.

Presented the night before the wedding?
Likely unenforceable.

Signed without independent legal counsel for both
parties? Courts will look hard at that.

Missing full financial disclosure from both sides?
The agreement may not hold up at all.

If you're planning to marry and want to protect what
you've built, the time to talk to an attorney is before
the wedding — not years later.

More information at ghazilawgroup.com/family-lawyer-san-fernando-valley

07/14/2026

Most custody cases in Los Angeles County never see a
courtroom.

Here's why:

Before any contested custody hearing, LA County requires
both parents to go through Family Court Services
mediation.

A neutral mediator meets with both of you — sometimes
together, sometimes separately — and helps work out a
parenting plan.

Over 80% of cases reach an agreement at this stage.

The ones that don't go in front of a judge, who then
decides for you.

If you're facing a custody dispute in the San Fernando
Valley, understanding this process before you file
changes how you prepare, what you document, and how
you show up.

The standard the court applies is always the same:
best interests of the child.

Not who earns more. Not who has the bigger house.
Not who filed first.

We handle custody cases for families in Sherman Oaks,
Encino, Van Nuys, Studio City, Northridge, and
Woodland Hills.

Full guide at ghazilawgroup.com/family-lawyer-san-fernando-valley

07/06/2026

California is a community property state.

That means everything earned during your marriage —
income, retirement accounts, the house, the business —
belongs equally to both of you.

It doesn't matter whose name is on the account.
It doesn't matter who worked and who stayed home.
It doesn't matter who paid the bills.

If it was acquired during the marriage, it splits 50/50.

Most people only learn this when they're already in the
middle of a divorce.

Knowing how California property rules work before you
file changes how you approach everything — what you
protect, what you negotiate, and what you walk away with.

We work with families across Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van
Nuys, Studio City, and Woodland Hills on exactly these
situations.

Full guide to family law in the San Fernando Valley at
ghazilawgroup.com/family-lawyer-san-fernando-valley

05/12/2026

"My husband says he'll cancel my green card if I divorce him."

This is what we hear every week from terrified clients.

Here's the truth: Your spouse is lying. Federal law protects you—but ONLY if you file in the right order.

THE STRATEGIC SEQUENCE:
1️⃣ File VAWA immigration waiver first (confidential)
2️⃣ Receive receipt notice = protected status
3️⃣ THEN file for divorce

Why this order? Because filing for divorce first alerts your abuser BEFORE you have legal protection.

We handle both your VAWA petition AND your California divorce—one attorney, coordinated strategy, complete protection.

📖 Read our complete timing guide with exact steps.

Get Legal Support Now!

📞 (818) 839-6644 - Confidential consultation
📍 Sherman Oaks | San Fernando Valley

Filing VAWA before divorce protects your immigration status from spouse threats. Sherman Oaks attorney explains strategic timing. Call (818) 839-6644 today.

04/04/2026

Understanding Family Code 4320 is key for Santa Monica spousal support cases. Here's a clear breakdown of each factor to help you navigate the process:

1️⃣ Duration of marriage: Longer marriages often mean more support.
2️⃣ Parties' income & needs: Who earns what, and who needs what?
3️⃣ Standard of living: Maintaining lifestyle during support.
4️⃣ Health & age: Physical and emotional needs affect support decisions.
5️⃣ Earning capacity & job skills: Can they work or improve skills?
6️⃣ Assets & debts: What’s owned and owed matters.
7️⃣ Time and costs of education or training: Support may cover career upgrades.
8️⃣ Contributions: Financial and non-financial contributions to family.
9️⃣ Custody of children: Supporting the primary caregiver.
🔟 Balance of hardships: Who faces more challenges?

Every case is unique. Want to know how these factors apply to your situation in Santa Monica? Schedule a free case evaluation with Ghazi Law Group today. Your future deserves clarity.

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