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Jerome Arthur Blaha
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Jerome Arthur Blaha
Blaha, Hartford & Perry, APC
2807 Castro Valley Blvd.
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone: (925) 734-9000 | Fax: (925) 734-9195
Castro Valley, Hayward Divorce Mediation Attorney
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Divorce, if necessary, should be a spring board for the rest of your life and the process should be as painless as possible.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Child Support
- Custody
- Visitation
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Divorce, if necessary, should be a spring board for the rest of your life and the process should be as painless as possible.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1973
Bar Number: 55469
Specialty Certifications
Certified Family Law Specialist.
Other Court Admissions
Superior Court of California, Supreme Court of the United States, Federal District Court.
Association Memberships
American Bar Association, California Bar Association, Alameda County Bar Association, Contra Costa County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I participate in trial advocacy, mediation/collaborative practice and attend an average of 16-20 hours of family law, taxes and estate planning education per year.
Papers and Publications
I authored and presented programs for CER and other organizations on income taxes in family law, retirement, equity act, family law for legal section prenuptual expectation agreements, wills, trusts, taxes in estate planning, real property tax consequences, alternatives for income, gift estate and property taxes. I have also discussed family law issues as a guest speaker on KCBS Radio "Legal Magazine."
Example Cases
My favorite cases are when someone comes in distraught and not knowing what to do, but can reach a resolution in the end. We first teach how to visualize truth and then visualize what would be a win-win settlement for both parties and the children. The party then takes that to the other party and gets a mental consensus on the agreement, and we draft an agreement for the other party to take to their own attorney and have it reviewed. Ideally, the attorney reviewing it doesn't make any changes. That's a win-win.
A wife came to me, and we filed for divorce. She had been married for 10 years. The husband was ill with MS and had originally started a company at the beginning of the marriage, but the company was not in his name. The company was in his brother's name, a friend and his partner. At the other end, he stated he didn't have any assets and filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Through discovery, I was able to obtain over $500,000 for my client.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
U.C. Hastings College of the Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1971
Focus and Accomplishments:
I was on the Jessup International Moot Court competition. We placed in the competition.
Degree:
B.A. in Economics
School:
University of California Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1968
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I founded my firm in 1973. The firm produces high quality work in a timely manner. We focus on family law, wills, trusts and probate.
Previous Employment Summary
I spent four years in the Marine Corp as a ground school flight instructor.
Activities and Awards
I act as Judge Pro Tem in Alameda County, usually in Pleasanton or Hayward courts for family law.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Client education is absolutely necessary. Only with knowledge can a client make good decisions and avoid errors.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
This is dependent on the situation. In pleadings including declarations, I am very willing to review contracts. In marital/settlement agreements, reviewing documents generally does not offer a good cost/benefit ratio. I prefer an outline of needs, desires and concerns from client so I can design a product which will reflect the needs of the client.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
One of my specialties is assisting clients to visualize the truth of what is a win-win situation. Once a client knows what is best, the client will be better able to sell a settlement to the other party or to communicate what is best to the court.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
In high school I wanted to be a nuclear physicist, (top of the pile in math) but when I helped work on law cases, I discovered helping solve human problems. Every day was much more satisfying then finding a new atomic particle every ten years. I love problem solving challenges.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Mathematics has helped me with creative problem solving.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Family law was the ultimate challenge for problem solving, and teaching clients how to do their own problem solving with absence of mistakes.
What do you like best about your career?
I have never "worked" a day; I get to enjoy fulfillment for helping others everyday.
Tell us about your law firm:
Blaha, Hartford, & Perry has been a firm for over 20 years. Our office manager, Susan Winding, has guided us to work together as a family for the 20 years she has been with our firm.
What are your strengths and style?
I am able to see solutions very easily and utilize problem solving. I am an advocate for my clients to find a win-win solution for their cases.
I try to motivate the client to be responsible for him/herself.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy spending time with my family, travel and authoring books on how to have a great marriage.
Office Manager/Assistant
Jennifer
Fax
(925) 734-9195
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
One of the partners speaks Czech and Polish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We have fixed prices for almost all estate plan documents.
Hourly Rates
$100 to $350 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Initial consultation is $100 for the first half hour.
Typical Retainer
Our typical retainer is $2,500.
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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
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