Family Law

All types of clients with any problems in divorce and family law. I resolve many cases through my skill and efforts as a mediator. I also handle hearings and trials in Family Law matters. For a free telephone consultation, call (818) 907-3279.

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement Actions

• Child Support
• Custody
• Paternity
• Visitation

• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Marriage
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

• Grandparent Rights

Divorce

All types of clients with any problems in divorce and family law. I resolve many cases through my skill and efforts as a mediator. I also handle hearings and trials in Family Law matters. For a free telephone consultation, call (818) 907-3279.

• 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

CA, Jan 1968
Bar Number: 41388

Certified Family Law Specialist with the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

United States Supreme Court; U.S. District Court; Central District of California.

State Bar of California; Los Angeles County Bar Association; San Fernando Valley Bar Association; Valley Community Legal Foundation.

I attend and teach continuing legal education seminars on the topic of family law.

• Co-Author, "Before Second Marriage, Know All This" (San Fernando Valley Business Journal)

• Co-Author, "Is Marvin Still Valid" (San Fernando Valley Bar Association "Lawyers World")

• Burkle vs. Burkle, 139 Cal.App.4th 712 (2006): This was a leading case in California on terms of Post-Marital Agreements.

• Vargas vs. Superior Court, 9 Cal.App.3d 470 (1970): Two families lived within five miles of each other with same husband/father. The families met when the father died. The point of contention involved which family should receive the estate. The court divided the estate equally between the two families.

20

California

I am the chairman of the three-attorney Family Law Department in Lewitt Hackman. Founded in 1969, Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Marshall & Harlan ("Lewitt Hackman") is a full-service business, real estate and civil litigation law firm. The firm has an established reputation as a quality, hard-working, cost-efficient, and effective law firm. The firm is recognized as one of the premier law firms in the San Fernando Valley. We believe a good settlement with defined results is better than a trial with uncertain results.

On all family law matters, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide outstanding, personalized client service. We offer sound legal analysis through quality, expert and timely representation with a sensitivity to cost.

I was a sole practitioner for 19 years before merging my practice with Lewitt Hackman 21 years ago.

• Named "One of Top 25 Attorneys in San Fernando Valley" by San Fernando Valley Business Journal

• Named a "Super Lawyer" 2004 to 2009 by Los Angeles Magazine

• Judge Pro Temporee (Van Nuys & San Fernando Superior Courts)

• Family Law Mediator (Van Nuys Superior Court)

• Received Presidents Award (San Fernando Valley Bar Association

• AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

• Received Stanley M. Lintz Award from San Fernando Valley Bar Association for outstanding service to the Bar and the community

Darlene Heller.

(818) 981-4764

Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Yes

Spanish.

We have various hourly rates depending on which attorney in the department provides the legal services.

$325 to $525 per hour depending on which attorney provides the services.

We offer free initial consultation on mediation. It is $350 for consultation regarding family law and pre-marital agreements.

Yes. The retainer for mediation is $2,500. Family law cases are typically $5,000 for the evergreen retainer, which is used to pay the last bill with a balance returned to client.