Hartley Lamas Et Al

Business Details

Trusted Family Law & Probate Attorneys in California & Texas

Hartley Lamas Et Al is a dedicated legal practice serving clients in California and Texas with expertise in family law and probate matters. Our team of experienced attorneys brings over 75 years of combined experience to deliver compassionate, client-centered representation. We specialize in resolving complex legal challenges related to divorce, child custody, adoption, estate planning, and more. Our founders military background and commitment to excellence ensure a strategic approach that prioritizes clients peace of mind. We maintain transparent communication throughout cases, keeping clients informed of progress while adhering to the highest professional standards.

Our legal professionals possess extensive trial experience and are equally adept at mediation and negotiations. We provide honest evaluations of cases, empowering clients to make informed decisions while offering emotional support during difficult times. With offices strategically located to serve both coastal and inland communities, we represent individuals facing life-changing legal matters with integrity and dedication. Our proven track record in both states legal systems demonstrates our ability to secure favorable outcomes for families navigating complex legal situations.

Services

Divorce & Asset Division Estate Planning Custody & Support Restraining Orders Estate Litigation Adoption & Termination of Rights Guardianship & Conservatorship

Highlights and features

We offer over 75 years of combined experience in family law and probate matters
Our attorneys maintain transparent communication throughout all legal proceedings
We provide honest evaluations of cases to enable informed decision-making
Our team combines extensive trial experience with skilled mediation capabilities
We offer compassionate support during emotionally challenging legal situations

What people say

Best law firm Comprehensive Strategic Consummate professionals Impeccable team

Website

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Services

Divorce & Asset Division

Our divorce and asset division practice handles both contested and uncontested cases across California and Texas. We assist clients with property valuation, debt division, and spousal support negotiations while protecting financial interests. Our attorneys understand the emotional challenges involved and work to minimize conflict through strategic mediation or litigation when necessary. We specialize in complex cases involving high-value assets, business ownership, and military benefits, ensuring equitable distribution according to state-specific laws.

Estate Planning

We provide comprehensive estate planning solutions that include wills, trusts, and advanced directives tailored to California and Texas regulations. Our attorneys help clients protect assets, plan for incapacitation, and ensure smooth inheritance processes. We also assist with trust administration and probate court proceedings when necessary. Our approach balances legal requirements with family dynamics to create practical, enforceable plans that provide peace of mind for individuals and their loved ones.

Custody & Support

Our child custody and support practice focuses on creating parenting plans that serve childrens best interests while protecting parental rights. We handle both initial determinations and post-divorce modifications across state lines. Our team works with clients to establish fair visitation schedules, address relocation requests, and resolve disputes through mediation or litigation. We understand the emotional complexity of these cases and strive to minimize childrens exposure to conflict while ensuring their long-term stability and well-being.

Adoption & Termination of Rights

We guide clients through all aspects of adoption and parental rights termination in California and Texas. Our services cover domestic and interstate adoptions, stepparent adoptions, and termination proceedings. We work closely with social workers, courts, and other professionals to navigate legal requirements while supporting families through emotional transitions. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges involved and work to ensure smooth, legally sound processes that create lasting family bonds while protecting all parties rights.

Guardianship & Conservatorship

Our guardianship and conservatorship practice assists families creating legal frameworks for minors or incapacitated adults. We handle both voluntary and involuntary arrangements across California and Texas, ensuring compliance with state-specific requirements. Our team helps establish decision-making authority for healthcare, finances, and daily care while protecting vulnerable individuals rights. We provide ongoing support through court proceedings and annual reporting requirements, maintaining focus on the protected persons best interests while respecting family dynamics.

People

Carla L. Hartley

Managing Partner

Former U.S. Marine with extensive legal experience from file clerk to litigation attorney. Graduated with High Honors from Ventura College of Law. Specializes in family law and probate matters, bringing strategic military discipline to legal representation while maintaining compassionate client support.

R. Benjamin Vojtik

Attorney

Ten-year legal professional with diverse experience from scan clerk to attorney. Contributes strategic thinking and legal analysis expertise to complex family law cases. Understands both procedural and substantive aspects of legal proceedings through hands-on experience across multiple roles within the firm.

Suzanne Mehren

Attorney

Political science graduate with academic excellence awards from Abraham Lincoln University School of Law. Former certified law student at Edelman Childrens Court. Applies specialized knowledge of family law and child welfare issues to protect clients interests in complex custody and probate matters.

Kelly Clunan

Senior Paralegal

Certified paralegal with medical office management experience. Provides client support through warm, professional demeanor while maintaining technical legal expertise. Assists with case preparation and documentation management, combining organizational skills with compassionate client interaction to ensure smooth legal processes.

Questions

What family law services do you offer in California and Texas?

We handle divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, spousal support determinations, adoption processes, estate planning, guardianship establishment, and domestic violence protection orders across both states with specialized legal knowledge of their distinct family law systems.

How do you handle complex asset division in divorce cases?

Our attorneys employ forensic accounting techniques and financial experts to trace, value, and equitably divide complex assets including private equity investments, business interests, and real estate holdings while protecting client financial interests during divorce proceedings.

Can you assist with interstate custody disputes?

Yes, we manage interstate custody matters involving California and Texas courts, handling Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) compliance, parenting plan modifications, and child relocation cases with strategic legal representation that prioritizes childrens best interests.

How do you approach adoption cases?

We guide clients through all adoption types including stepparent, independent, and agency adoptions while ensuring legal compliance with California and Texas regulations. Our team coordinates home studies, finalizes adoptions in court, and handles necessary interstate paperwork for smooth, legally sound proceedings.

What experience do you have with military divorces?

Our firm handles military divorce complexities including division of retirement benefits under USFSPA, jurisdictional considerations, and child support calculations that account for military pay structures while protecting service members rights during dissolution proceedings.