Business Details
About
Family Law AttorneyLaw Firm
Law Office of William H. Paynter provides attorney services for family law, mediation, and civil litigation in Sonoma, CA, and the surrounding areas.
Details
- Requires appointmentAvailable
- Online appointmentsAvailable
- Onsite servicesNot available
- Wheelchair accessible entranceNot available
Location
Hours
Reviews
4.5
8 reviews
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- CWCatalina WetzelJan 28, 20235.0So beyond happy with the outcome of my case. A very lovely and caring law firm. Highly recommend it.
- KAKara AdanalianJan 27, 20235.0Not only was Mr Paynter knowledgeable, helpful and creative in his approach to my situation (a difficult divorce) but his staff was extremely helpful, caring and supportive. Can't ask for much more. Highly recommend.
- AHAmanda HawkMay 23, 20225.0Bill is one of the most incredible and caring attorneys I have ever worked with. His relatable and kind demeanor sets him apart from any of his peers. I worked closely with on my divorce, the outcome was everything I hoped for. If your in the market for an amazing attorney who actually cares..male the call and let him lead you through the process.
- JBJeanne BMar 15, 20204.0Easy parking on street
- LPLaw Office of William H PaynterFeb 17, 20155.0Mr. Paynter was so incredibly comforting and attentive to my situation. I was very distraught and did not know how to proceed. He made things extremely clear and concise so that I felt like I was in very good hands. Thank you for everything Bill!
Frequently Asked Questions About Law Office of William H. Paynter
How does the divorce process start?
One spouse, called the Petitioner, files a document called a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (along with several other documents) with the Clerk of the Court in his or her county of residence. The other spouse, called the Respondent is then served with the Petition and the other documents. If the Respondent does not agree with what the Petitioner is requesting in the Petition, the Respondent must file a Response no later than 30 days (45 days if served out of state) after he or she was served with the documents.
If the Respondent fails to file a written Response within the time allowed, the Petitioner can apply to the court for a default. The Petitioner must then file an Application for Entry of Default with the court and mail a copy to the Respondent. The Respondent then has another opportunity to file a Response. The Respondent has ten days from the date of the Application for Entry of Default to file a Response. If the Respondent still does not file a Response within ten days from the date the Application for Entry of Default is filed and mailed, then the Petitioner can proceed with the dissolution.
What is the difference between a contested divorce and an uncontested divorce?
If a divorce is contested, it means that the Petitioner and Respondent do not agree on some aspect of the case and the Respondent has filed a Response to contest it. Some examples of issues that must be resolved prior to the court granting a divorce are child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, division of property and debts. If an agreement cannot be reached by both parties, the case will go to a trial before a judge who will render a decision on the unresolved issues. In California there are no juries in a divorce case.
An uncontested divorce is one that the parties mutually agree on all the issues and there are no disputes.
When can I file for a divorce in California?
A party must live in California for 6 months and must live in the county for 3 months.
What are conciliation services?
Conciliation Services is a separate division of the Court made up of trained family counselors and mediators that are available to people going through a divorce or other family disputes to assist in resolving those disputes without the necessity of a trial. Conciliation services is offered free to the public.
What does "joint" legal custody of the child mean?
Joint legal custody means that both parties share legal custody of the child or children and that neither party's legal custody rights are superior to the other. Joint Custody may be granted if a judge feels that the parties can communicate with one another well enough to make joint decisions regarding the child's well-being.
If the Judge feels that the parties cannot communicate with one another, then one spouse may be granted sole legal custody giving that spouse the authority to make all the major decisions regarding the child and the other spouse may have little if anything to say about it.
Primary physical custody means that one parent has the child physically placed with them and the right to make all the routine daily decisions with regard to the child's health and general welfare.
What services does the Law Office of William H. Paynter offer?
The Law Office provides attorney services specializing in family law, mediation, and civil litigation in Sonoma, CA, and surrounding areas.
What are the office hours of the Law Office of William H. Paynter?
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and appointments on weekends are available by appointment only.
How can I contact the Law Office of William H. Paynter?
You can contact them via their main phone number at +1 707-238-8499, alternate phone +1 707-996-5605, or email at paynteroffice@gmail.com.
Does the Law Office of William H. Paynter accept online appointments?
Yes, the firm offers online appointments for client convenience.
What types of payment does the Law Office of William H. Paynter accept?
They accept American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, Invoice, MasterCard, and Visa.
In which languages can I receive services at the Law Office of William H. Paynter?
Services are offered in both English and Spanish.
Where is the Law Office of William H. Paynter located?
It is located at 809 Broadway, Suite 6, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA.
Are there any nearby legal or real estate services close to the Law Office of William H. Paynter that clients might find useful?
Yes, nearby legal services include Martens Jackie L and Tillem McNichol & Brown, while numerous Sotheby’s International Realty agents and other real estate services such as Jennifer Powers and Kellee Clower are also located nearby, which can be helpful for clients dealing with family law matters involving property.
What nearby attractions or places might clients visit before or after their appointment?
Clients might want to visit nearby attractions such as Ranchweb amusement park or explore wineries like Sonoma Valley Vintners or Halby Marketing Wines & Spirits for leisure before or after their appointment.
How can nearby travel services assist clients visiting the Law Office of William H. Paynter?
Nearby travel agencies such as Top50 Ranches can help clients with sightseeing tours or travel arrangements around Sonoma, enhancing their visit to the area when attending appointments at the law office.