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Cristin M. Lowe
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Cristin M. Lowe
Cummins, Holmes & Geraldi
18 Crow Canyon Court
Suite 125
San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone: (925) 552-0600 | Fax: (925) 725-2500
http://chg-law.com/index.html
Compassionate Family Law
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
My goal is to assist the client in obtaining a fair and sane divorce or custody modification. We cannot control the opposing party and their behavior, but we can make the situation much less stressful for our client.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Foster Care
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Age Discrimination
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
- Medicaid & Medicare Planning
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Tax Planning
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
My goal is to assist the client in obtaining a fair and sane divorce or custody modification. We cannot control the opposing party and their behavior, but we can make the situation much less stressful for our client.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Bar Admissions
CA, Aug 2005
Bar Number: 237588
Other Court Admissions
California Superior Court and all of California State Courts.
Association Memberships
California State Bar; Contra Costa Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I surpass the State Bar's continuing education requirements by approximately 15-20 hours per year. I consider it a priority to keep as up to date with my education as possible.
Example Cases
Cummins, Holmes & Geraldi has a long history of dealing with family-related issues and domestic relations matters including marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships. Our attorneys are experienced in handling matters involving spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, child abuse and child abduction. We also handle the termination of relationships including divorce, annulment, property settlements alimony and parental responsibility and visitation orders.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
UC Davis
City:
Davis
State:
CA
Year:
2004
Honors:
Trial Court Honor Board Member
Degree:
B.A.
School:
California State University Sacramento
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Year:
2001
Honors:
Summa Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Epsilon Pi Honor Member
Focus and Accomplishments:
Communication Studies
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The Law Offices of Cummins, Holmes, & Geraldi bases representation on your goals. However, one constant remains - that of aggressive representation.
Each case requires a different strategy and a different course of action, depending on your needs and desires. We listen to your concerns and craft our strategy accordingly.
You will be informed each step of the way. Keeping you well informed and advised during the planning and strategy phase of your case is effective in reducing your financial and emotional burden during a complex legal process.
Previous Employment Summary
I had an internship with HI State Representative David Pendleton (Legal Analyst).
Associate Attorney, Law Office of Susan E. Christiansen (2005-2008).
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I believe that education helps clients to be less afraid of the legal system.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
It is part of representing clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Beyond an initial consultation, I would not be willing to give advice to a pro per litigant.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
In college I thought about going into law enforcement. However, my goal of post-graduate work seemed more consistent with a law degree instead. After a summer internship at an attorney's office, I knew I had found my career.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Becoming a certified mediator really assisted me in developing a more creative, individualized, result-oriented approach to practicing law. Although the law may be black and white, cases are not, and as such, there needs to be a good measure of flexibility and thinking outside of the box in order to obtain the best result possible for each client.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Family law is, in my opinion, the only field of law that has a very "human" component, and that is why I love it.
What do you like best about your career?
I love working with people and helping them get their lives back on track. I find it especially rewarding when my work improves the life of a child.
Tell us about your law firm:
It is a very reputable and professional firm that emphasizes customer service. We do not believe it is our job to sling mud or draw out the process. Instead, we try to finalize the case in the most amicable and cost effective way possible. The end of a divorce or any other family law case is not the end of the parties' relationship. Therefore, it is essential that the judgment takes the future into account. The future can consist of anything from ensuring a party has adequate support for the rest of his or her life, maintaining a good working relationship between the parties in order for them to continue co-parenting their children, or simply building in provisions that ensure that their settlement will withstand the inevitable changes that the parties' lives and living situations will undergo.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe in a very common sense, real world approach to practicing law. To me, that means that it is my job to not only help my client reach a resolution in his or her best interests, but to ensure that the resolution really works and also lasts. No one wants to end up back in court two years down the line because of sloppy drafting of an agreement or lack of foresight. I do not believe in a one size fits all solution.
In situations where children are involved, they are my absolute priority. Their well-being is paramount to any property or debt issue.
I make it a point to build good relationships with opposing counsel. This is not the same as being friends with them, but a professional, respectful relationship is essential to practicing family law. Regardless of how far apart the parties are, there is always a mutual goal, whether that be doing what is in the best interests of the children or maximizing their assets. I find that collaboration is a much more cost-effective and faster way to achieve positive results for clients.
Clients retain me for my legal counsel and advocacy, which means that they need someone to approach their case from a logical and practical standpoint. I believe becoming emotionally involved with a case compromises my ability to aggressively advocate for my client in a legal setting. This does not mean that I wish to have a distant relationship with my clients. I see my clients as real people going through some of the toughest times in their lives, and because of that, I make it a priority to make myself accessible to them. Empathizing with clients is an important aspect of my job, but allowing their emotions to dictate the course of the case is not in their best interests. There is a delicate balance between the two. Sometimes I have to be the bearer of bad news or tell clients they need to behave differently for their own good. While this is not something I like to do, it is a necessary component of my job, which is to keep clients informed, educated, and prepared in order to protect their rights and ensure the best possible outcome.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy wakeboarding, snowboarding, cooking, and playing the piano. I am also an avid San Francisco Giants fan. My Golden Retriever puppy Murphy is currently in training to become a Therapy Dog.
Fax
(925) 725-2500
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
The only fixed fee service is the initial consultation.
Hourly Rates
All work that is done by the firm is charged at $300 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
We charge $150 and the attorney will spend up to one hour with the client reviewing their case.
Typical Retainer
Typical retainer for a full divorce with children, properties, debts and retirement accounts is $6,500. Typical retainer for a modification of child custody, visitation and support is $4,500.
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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.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
