Law Office of Patricia H. Combs

Practical, Effective, Legal Representation

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association.*

Firm Overview

Our firm handles legal matters in the following practice areas: family law, divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, alimony, collaborative family law, marital agreements, restraining orders, child abduction, grandparents' rights, dissolution, paternity, prenuptial agreements, mediation, and guardianship.

I started my own firm in March, 2002. Before that, I worked as an associate or contractor for a number of firms, mostly in family law.

Example cases

Custody cases are significant to me because I believe that children need to be protected in a divorce. I have had numerous cases involving changes of custody from one parent to the other. In one case, a mother was neglecting her son's education, which was provable by report cards, papers, absences and testimony. The judge changed the child's custody and, upon review, the son dramatically improved his scholastic performance.

In a collaborative case I handled, custody was resolved with virtually no fighting between the parents at all. The parents agreed to leave the teenage son with his father, although the mother also negotiated for considerable time to spend with the boy.

Main Office

Main
2100 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Suite 43
Manhattan Beach CA 90266

Phone

310-545-1022

Fax

(310) 540-8665

Websites

http://www.patriciacombs.com

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

Consultations are $50 for one-half an hour.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

I don't have fixed-price services, but I try to charge reasonable fees.

Hourly Rates

$300 an hour.

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Evenings and weekend appointments by request.

Office Manager

My office assistant is Judy Kadri.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

Yes, Judy speaks Arabic.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

When I told my brothers and sisters I was going into divorce law, they laughed. Our parents' divorce was not something anyone would like to re-live vicariously through a client experience. But I feel that I understand the emotions that divorce raises, and I feel qualified to help deal with them. I am not afraid of intense emotions, and believe that clients just have to feel their way through them before they can heal.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I welcome clients who are interested in learning about their case and in helping to gather evidence. An informed client is one who doesn't need to be taught the basics. This means the case moves forward more quickly and easily than if the client needs spoon-feeding.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Attorney fees can be so high that the lower-income and middle-class client can be squeezed out. I am willing to review documents for lower-income clients.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I wouldn't want to coach clients who want to represent themselves. Self-represented clients in family law

Patricia H. Combs

Before I became an attorney, I worked as a journalist for Automotive News in Detroit and Washington, and McGraw-Hill in Washington, D.C. I also worked for several newspapers as I followed my husband's career move west.

My parents' divorce certainly helped me to become a better family lawyer because through that experience I understand how wrenching divorce can be on all parties involved. I am especially concerned about sparing the children as much pain as possible, and advise parents on how to do that.

Being a mother, myself, is also a helpful tool as it allows me to empathize with my clients and their problems.

Some of my strengths are that I am empathetic and give clients personalized attention.

Personal interests:

I have a variety of things I take interest in in my personal life. I enjoy reading anything and everything. Music--listening, singing, playing, and reading it

License

Bar Number: 188598
California , 1997

Education

Loyola Law School
J.D. , 1997
Los Angeles, CA
Editor for International & Comparative Law Journal, 1994-1996
Edited an article on Chinese Trademark Law that won a major prize in the International Trademark Association competition 1996
Moot Court
Interned at the Western Disability Mediation Center, Western Disability Center, Department of Child Support Services and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
University of Michigan
Bachelor of General Studies , 1974
Ann Arbor, MI
General studies included Journalism, English, French, and Political Science.

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