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Your Trusted Family Law Partner in Palo Alto
At Next Legal, we are dedicated to providing exceptional family law representation with a focus on compassion, expertise, and resolution-oriented strategies. Our team of seasoned attorneys brings decades of combined courtroom experience and negotiation expertise to every case, prioritizing early dispute resolution while maintaining unwavering preparedness for litigation. We specialize in navigating complex family law matters including divorce, child custody, property division, and support, tailoring our approach to each client's unique circumstances.Our practice emphasizes transparent communication, proactive case management, and a deep commitment to protecting our clients' interests during life's most challenging moments. Through a combination of legal acumen and personalized service, we strive to achieve favorable outcomes while minimizing emotional and financial strain for families across California.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody
Property Division
Child Support
Mediation Services
Restraining Orders
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of combined experience in California family law.
- Our team prioritizes early dispute resolution through proven settlement strategies.
- We provide personalized case management with 24/7 client accessibility.
- Our attorneys have successfully resolved hundreds of complex family law cases.
- We maintain courtroom readiness while minimizing litigation costs for clients.
What people say
Felt like family
Remarkable victories
Secure financial support
Deeply good people
Protected my daughter
Services
Divorce Representation
Our attorneys handle all aspects of divorce proceedings including termination of marital status, asset division, and custody arrangements. We combine courtroom expertise with settlement-focused strategies to minimize conflict while protecting client interests. Our approach emphasizes early resolution through negotiation while maintaining full trial readiness for complex cases.
Child Custody
We specialize in creating custody arrangements that prioritize children's best interests while protecting parental rights. Our services include mediation support, court-ordered evaluation preparation, and relocation case management. We navigate county-specific regulations to develop practical solutions for custody disputes and visitation schedules.
Property Division
Our team handles complex property characterization and division under California's community property laws. We trace separate assets, value businesses, and negotiate equitable settlements for high-net-worth clients. We prepare comprehensive marital settlement agreements addressing all financial aspects of divorce proceedings.
Child Support
We calculate child support using California's guideline formula while addressing unique circumstances like executive compensation and special needs. Our services include enforcement actions, modification petitions, and preparation for Department of Child Support Services proceedings to ensure fair and enforceable support arrangements.
Mediation Services
We facilitate early resolution of family law disputes through structured mediation. Our attorneys prepare clients for productive negotiations while maintaining advocacy skills to protect client interests. We leverage settlement strategies that reduce costs and emotional strain compared to traditional litigation.
People
Paul Donsbach
Managing Partner
With 30+ years of experience, Paul specializes in family, business, and property law. He has resolved hundreds of complex cases for high-profile clients while maintaining courtroom advocacy excellence and a results-driven approach to client goals.
Zelikha Dost
Partner
A dedicated family law attorney since 2015, Zelikha combines academic excellence with practical experience in high-conflict custody cases. She advocates for parental and child rights while balancing competitive case strategy with compassionate client support.
Allison L. Gotsch
Attorney
With 25+ years of experience, Allison handles complex family law matters including custody, support, and property division. A former law review editor, she brings meticulous legal analysis to cases involving business valuations and high-asset divorces.
Amanda M. Jaeger
Attorney
Specializing in complex divorce cases since 2019, Amanda focuses on custody, property characterization, and business appraisals. She prepares clients thoroughly for negotiations and court proceedings while prioritizing early settlement opportunities.
Gisele Martinez
Attorney
With three years of family law experience, Gisele handles divorce and custody cases while leveraging criminal law expertise. A skilled negotiator, she emphasizes early settlements to reduce client costs and emotional burden through effective case preparation.
Questions
What family law services do you offer?
We handle divorce, child custody, property division, child support, mediation, and restraining orders with specialized expertise in complex cases.
How do you handle child custody disputes?
We focus on children's best interests while protecting parental rights through mediation, court-ordered evaluations, and tailored custody arrangements.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Palo Alto, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek with experienced representation across California family courts.
How are child support amounts determined?
California's guideline formula considers income, custody time, and additional expenses like healthcare and education when calculating support obligations.
Do you offer emergency legal services?
Yes, we provide urgent assistance for time-sensitive family law matters including restraining orders and custody emergencies.
What makes your firm different?
Our combination of courtroom excellence, settlement focus, and personalized service delivers practical solutions for complex family law challenges.
