Family Law Attorney Berkeley
Legal Support for Berkeley Families and Student Households
Bay Area Law Group provides experienced legal help for family law matters in Berkeley. We’ve supported clients across neighborhoods like North Berkeley, South Berkeley, Westbrae, Elmwood, and the Berkeley Hills. Our work often includes cases involving co-parenting, student-parent custody disputes, and prenuptial agreements for UC Berkeley faculty and professionals.
Family law issues in Berkeley often reflect the city’s academic culture and progressive values. Whether you’re a graduate student in a shared custody arrangement or dividing property after a long-term domestic partnership, we know the local dynamics. We’ve represented clients in communities near Telegraph Avenue, the Gourmet Ghetto, and even Rockridge-adjacent areas just east of Shattuck.
We appear regularly in the Alameda County Family Justice Center in Oakland, which handles most Berkeley-based cases. Our team helps you prepare for every step—form filing, court hearings, custody mediation—so nothing catches you off guard.
Full-Service Family Law Help in Berkeley
Divorce and Legal Separation
We provide expert divorce attorney services in Berkeley for clients seeking full dissolution, legal separation, or annulment. Many of our cases involve professionals affiliated with UC Berkeley or shared property in multi-unit homes near Downtown and Claremont. We prepare and file the necessary forms, represent you in hearings at the Oakland courthouse, and guide you through the financial, custody, and support issues that shape the outcome.
Child Custody and Child Support
We offer reliable custody and support services for Berkeley parents managing shared schedules, relocation concerns, or income-based support disputes. Our legal plans consider the flexible arrangements common among student households and dual-academic families. Whether you’re in a parenting plan negotiation in South Berkeley or modifying orders after graduation, we help you stay organized and focused.
Property Division
We provide property division services in Berkeley with special attention to shared rentals, academic pensions, and business equity. Many of our clients need help dividing hybrid assets—part community, part separate—like stock options or university retirement accounts. We work with clients in neighborhoods like Thousand Oaks and Le Conte to clarify what’s subject to division under California law.
Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
We represent clients in domestic violence cases in Berkeley with fast, clear legal steps. Whether you’re filing for protection or responding to false claims, we prepare all court filings for the Alameda County Family Justice Center and represent you at emergency hearings. Many of our cases involve safety concerns tied to shared student housing or co-parenting in dense neighborhoods like Le Conte or West Berkeley.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
We draft and review prenuptial and postnuptial agreements in Berkeley for individuals who want to protect property, clarify financial roles, or support estate planning. These agreements are especially common among UC Berkeley faculty, graduate students with future earning potential, and small business owners across the city. We focus on clarity and enforceability so both parties move forward with confidence.
Spousal Support
We handle spousal support in Berkeley for clients dealing with temporary orders during divorce or long-term support needs after separation. Some clients are transitioning from graduate programs into professional roles, while others support partners leaving high-income tech or academic positions. We build support strategies around timelines, documentation, and realistic court expectations.
Why Berkeley Families Work with Bay Area Law Group
Clients across Berkeley come to us for honest advice, steady communication, and focused legal work. We don’t drag things out. We explain your options clearly, prepare your case thoroughly, and show up ready to move things forward.
Our attorneys have helped families near UC Berkeley, in Thousand Oaks, and throughout Central Berkeley deal with sensitive issues like custody changes, support enforcement, and emergency orders. We tailor every strategy to your situation—no copy-paste solutions, no legal jargon.
We also work with diverse family structures. Many of our clients are student-parents, unmarried couples, or co-parents in transition. Our experience with Berkeley’s unique family dynamics helps us serve you with respect and skill.
EXCELLENT Based on 4 reviews Tae Nguyen2023-12-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am deeply thankful for Arusyak's support and expertise in my recent domestic violence case, where I was wrongfully accused by my ex. Referred by my divorce lawyer, choosing Arusyak proved to be an excellent decision. To be in a divorce, with alot of strong negative feeling, and helpiness, and financial burden is already overwhelming. Then find a attonery to help you is even more difficult. I am so happy that I was able to find Arusyak. Arusyak, with a deserved 5-star or even more rating, truly cares for her clients. Navigating through lawyers, child custody, and divorce is stressful and costly, but Arusyak's reasonable fees and professionalism made it more bearable. In my case, my ex's lawyer used questionable tactics. They agreed to withdraw the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) due to improper application and weak evidence but didn't file for dismissal as promised. Arusyak's vigilance was key. She noticed the discrepancy and represented me on Zoom with the San Mateo Court, averting a potential default judgment against me. Her meticulousness was crucial. I'm immensely grateful to Arusyak. It's comforting to find lawyers genuinely dedicated to resolving clients' problems rather than just profiting. I highly recommend her services and am thankful for her aid, hoping she continues to assist others as she did me. Erick Vargas2021-04-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. She is professional and acknowledgeable I had less than 12 hours to hire a lawyer before my first hearing,contacted a few lawyers around the san Francisco area and even with short notice she was able to pick up my case. I'm not from california and being from out of state it was kinda hard to find a lawyer without not knowing who is representing you. I put My trust in Ms. Arusyak and I was not disappointed. It has been the best decision I have ever made. If you are need of a lawyer please don't hesitate to hire her! I highly recommend her! William Knox2016-05-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My name is William Knox-Davies and I am another family law attorney. While Arusyak has never represented me, I regularly work with her and can confidently recommend her to anyone who needs an attorney for a family law related matter. She is one of the first attorneys I call whenever I am dealing with a difficult issue or need any guidance. She has participated in hundreds of hearings, has law degrees in three countries, went to UC Berkeley, and is one of the best attorneys I know. Her knowledge of the California Family Code is monumental and she excels especially at helping parties reaching fair and reasonable mediation agreements. You will not regret hiring her. Afshin Toloee2016-04-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am so glad I was introduced to Arusyak. She is very professional, efficient, patient and knowledgeable. She does not waste any time and is great in the courtroom. She took her time explaining legal procedures and helped me in deciding on how to proceed. She is very caring and compassionate. I definitely recommend her if you are looking for a super lawyer who really cares.
Practice Areas
Immigration Law
How the Family Court Process Works in Berkeley
Family law matters in Berkeley typically go through the Alameda County Superior Court, located at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland. Our team appears regularly in that courthouse and understands the importance of preparation at every step.
We help you with case filings, mediation prep, and hearing schedules. If your case involves child custody, you may be referred to Family Court Services for mandatory mediation. We’ll make sure your concerns are clearly outlined so the mediator understands what matters most to your family.
Judges in Alameda County expect organized paperwork, clear arguments, and realistic solutions. We know how to present your case to match those expectations. That helps reduce delays and keeps your matter on track.
Meet the Attorneys Working with Berkeley Clients
Bay Area Law Group is a small, focused legal team serving families throughout Berkeley. We don’t hand you off to junior staff. You’ll speak directly with attorneys who understand California family law and the challenges families face in the East Bay.
We offer services in both English and Spanish and take the time to explain every step of your case. Many of our clients appreciate how we balance direct communication with respectful listening.
From Northbrae to LeConte, our clients come from every part of Berkeley and trust us to guide them through difficult legal decisions with care and clarity.
Schedule Your Consultation in Berkeley
We serve clients across the Berkeley area, including Elmwood, West Berkeley, and Claremont. If you’re facing a family law issue, we’re ready to help you take the next step.
Schedule a consultation with Bay Area Law Group today. Our team will review your case and explain how we can help protect your future.