When spouses wish to terminate or alter their marital status, they have three options for doing so- legal separation, annulment or dissolution. If spouses choose annulment or dissolution, the marriage is terminated and the spouses become single persons. If they opt to obtain a legal separation, the marital status is not terminated and they are unable to remarry unless or until the marriage is terminated by a later judgment of dissolution; however, legal separation does deal with property rights, child/spousal support, and custody and visitation issues. Dissolutions terminate existing marriages on grounds arising after the marriage (such as irreconcilable differences). In contrast, annulments are based on the theory that no valid marriage ever occurred (i.e., the marriage was void or voidable (incestuous, bigamous, induced by fraud, one party was under the age of consent, etc.). It can be difficult and/or costly to prove these grounds. Generally speaking, people who choose legal separation rather than dissolution do so for religious or other personal reasons, such as retaining eligibility for medical insurance that would otherwise be lost by a termination of the marriage. If you are considering terminating your marriage, please contact Lonich&Patton; to set up a free 30 minute consultation with an attorney to discuss which option may be right for you. ...read more

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Michael E. Lonich Born in , in 1954, Mr. Lonich grew up in the having moved here with his family in the early sixties. Today, Michael E. Lonich, managing partner of Lonich and Patton, has nearly thirty years of experience as a litigator. He graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law and now represents a wide range of businesses and individuals in all sorts of legal matters including estate planning, family law, civil and business litigation, probate matters, among other areas. Mr. Lonich is prepared to help clients tailor a comprehensive estate plan that suits their needs and concerns.   David A. Patton Mr. Patton was born in in 1960. A local, David A. Patton is acertified family law specialistwith over 20 years of experience. He graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1987. Today he heads the firm's family law practice and is exclusively an attorney in that area of expertise. After co-founding Lonich&Patton;, LLP in 1994, Mr. Patton developed the firm's family law practice.  Since then, he has become one of 's top attorneys.   Mitchell T. Ehrlich Born in , in 1971, Mr. Ehrlich grew up in . He began his career at Pepperdine University School of Law, being placed on the Dean's Honor List numerous times. He is currently a partner with Lonich and Patton and acertified family law specialist, focusing his practice exclusively on family law issues. Mr. Ehrlich has over 11 years of experience as a civil litigator and trial attorney making him one of Lonich and Patton's many top attorneys.   Gina N. Policastri Ms. Policastri joined Lonich&Patton, LLP in November 2003 after completing law school at , and is the current ranking senior associate. She concentrates her practice in the related areas of estate planning and family law, which provide for a unique specialization and focus on family support and planning. Ms. Policastri's practice provides her with the expertise to provide clients with the guidance they need.   Julia C. Lemon Ms. Lemon was raised in and in November 2007 became an associate at Lonich and Patton, LLP.  She supports all major practice areas of the firm, with a special interest in Family Law matters.  Ms. Lemon began her relationship with the firm as a second year law clerk in 2005, graduating Santa Clara University School of Law in 2007.   Jennifer L. Mispagel Ms. Mispagel became the newest associate at Lonich & Patton, LLP in November 2008. She is a native and graduated from with a Bachelors of Science in Political Science in 2003. She has found that the combination of her MBA and law degree provides her with a unique perspective that allows her to focus her practice on the three interrelated disciplines of business law, family law and estate planning. ...read more