Protecting You & Your Family is Our #1 Priority

Providing expert legal guidance and support for your Santa Rosa & Sonoma County family law matters.

COMPASSIONATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION

We provide you with experienced guidance and give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about what is best for you.

THOUSANDS OF LEGAL CASES HANDLED

Our law practice has handled thousands of family law cases and successfully brought them to fair resolution. Experience matters.

OVER 40 YEARS OF HELPING PEOPLE

Let our Family Law legal team provide insight and practical solutions for the tough problems you are facing.

Santa Rosa Family Law Attorney

Family Law Attorneys In Santa Rosa, CA

Serving All of Sonoma County

We represent clients in Sonoma County and the surrounding area. We pride ourselves in our exceptional negotiating skills and strive to keep our clients cost down, but we are not afraid to litigate when necessary. If your case goes to trial, rest assured, you are in good hands; our attorneys are excellent litigators with a diverse background in law.

Why Choose Us?

There isn’t another type of legal matter that is more important or personal than a family law situation. No matter the type of family matter you’re facing, your family’s well-being is understandably your first priority. We realize that nothing is more important, that there is a sacred nature to such an ordeal. Because of this, when you reach out to a Santa Rosa Divorce Lawyer at Vandyk Law, PC, you will be seeking the most advantageous outcome, with your family’s welfare as the underlying motivator.

The types of Family Law that the attorneys at Vandyk Law handle:

Starting a Dissolution of Marriage or Registered Domestic Partnership
Annulments
Establishing Parentage, Adoption
Determining Child Custody and Visitation
Establishing or Enforcing Child and Spousal Support
Dealing with Domestic Violence or Elder Abuse Issues

All of these circumstances involve important members of a family - an individual’s most valued asset. The legal professionals at Vandyk Law, PC will work tirelessly to make your family law matter proceed smoothly and conclude quickly.

In Family Law Matters, Experience Really Does Count

Many family law attorneys look at your family’s legal needs as a money-making opportunity and will take the slow approach - unnecessarily delaying the case and causing tensions between the involved parties. This is all done in the hopes that there will be more litigation and higher attorney fees.

The attorneys at Vandyk Law, PC understand that terminating a marriage or getting an annulment can be one of life's toughest decisions, and does not come without stress. The custody and spousal issues that a divorce involves have the ability to completely change the trajectory of a one's life. These are matters that are not to be manipulated and should be handled with the utmost compassion and timeliness.

Our attorneys realize that what happens during these legal processes will dramatically affect the rest of a person’s life. And we always advocate for our clients with these high stakes in mind. We tirelessly work to achieve the best outcome for our clients in the most efficient amount of time possible.

Our creative and accomplished negotiation skills will be used to fiercely advocate on our client’s behalf. We work with the other side as if we’re fighting for our own quality of life. There are a few methods of negotiation at your disposal when facing a family law matter:

Informal Negotiation includes the exchange of letters or other communications between each party’s lawyers. Actual meetings where both clients and their attorneys attend, called 4-way Meetings, are also an option.
Mediation involves a neutral or impartial mediator who specializes in hearing both sides of an argument and coming to an amicable conclusion. The attorneys for each side will help explain the legal ramifications that are pertinent and will advise their clients throughout the process. It’s often less time consuming and costly than litigation.
Arbitration is where both parties acknowledge that they are opting out of the court process and looking to this form of dispute resolution to conclude their case. A binding contract is signed where both parties agree to accept the determination of the arbitrator. The arbitrator is a third-party mediator who acts as a Judge. The arbitrator’s decision is final and subject to a very narrow right of appeal that is set out in the initial agreement.

At Vandyk Law, PC, we will make every attempt possible to successfully settle your family law case outside of court, through mediation or another method. But we will not relent based on the need to go to court. We are well-versed and experienced in trying family law matters and will go in that direction, should it be necessary.

Carolyn Vandyk has won the esteemed “2021 Best Attorney - Divorce” as part of the local Sonoma County “Bohemian” Magazine in their “Best of the North Bay” edition.

Contact us immediately if you believe you need skilled legal representation. Call (707) 528-1100.

WHY HAVE CLIENTS CHOSEN US TO REPRESENT THEM?

OUR COMMITMENT TO BEING THE BEST FAMILY LAW FIRM ANYWHERE

At Vandyk Law, PC, we will strive to keep open, cordial communication between all the parties in the case.

Carolyn Vandyk will provide you objectivity and offer you realistic resolutions.

We take pride in being great communicators. You will be informed and involved throughout every step of the legal process.

Our law firm's litigation strategies are proven, successful, cost-effective and thoroughly involve the client.

Fees are an integral part of hiring an attorney. Our fees are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, which we always discuss openly and frankly.

Each one of our clients is entitled to timely copies of all court documents, offers, and correspondence.

Our clients are our top priority. Your case will be evaluated with honesty and integrity.

At Vandyk Law, PC, we never pressured our clients into settling their case.

Attorney Carolyn Vandyk is an experienced negotiator. We promise to work diligently to negotiate a fair and equitable settlement.

Attorney Carolyn Vandyk will be prompt to all court appearances unless there is a conflict or an emergency.

client testimonials

"I can't thank you enough for your help!"

"I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for working on my behalf to clear up my past so that I can have a successful future. I tried to do it on my own and failed miserably, so I can honestly say I couldn't have done this without YOU!" - Tina W.

"Thank you for everything you've done!"

"I have had a beyond-amazing experience working with you, Mr. Lozada. You have made an extremely hard situation so much easier. In a time where my family and I were extremely scared, you left us feeling at ease." - Chris H.

"The only one I trust for my family!"

"An extremely caring and thoughtful attorney. Carolyn works hard to provide the best experience and best possible outcome for her clients.If you're looking for a down-to-earth Santa Rosa family law attorney, look no further - you are "home"." - N. O., Industry Peer

view more testimonials

Santa Rosa Family Law & Divorce Attorneys

Vandyk Law, PC

Family law matters include such cases as separation, divorce, custody, spousal support, modifications of support or visitation, restraining orders, and adoptions just to name a few! Separation and divorce are emotionally difficult events, not to mention complex.

At Vandyk Law, all of our court cases are handled with meticulous preparation and skill. Our relationships and familiarity with the people and policies that make up these arenas give us a definite advantage in advocating for our clients.

A brief explanation of the process the court requires is as follows:

The party wishing to initiate litigation serves and files an Application or Motion to Change.
The Opposing Party has 30 days to serve and file an Answer or Response to Motion to Change.
A reply to the Opposing Party should be filed. The Opposing Party may again reply to this action.
A First Appearance may be scheduled requiring both sides to attend before the court clerk. This serves to make sure that the necessary documents have been served and filed. It also gives the court the opportunity to schedule a Case Conference.
A Case Conference is held before a judge with the intent to discuss settlement opportunities, establish the issues in the dispute, and make sure both sides have submitted the applicable information. Case Conference Briefs and updated Financial Statements must be prepared, served, and filed by both sides. Sometimes both parties will settle at this juncture. If the matter is not settled, it will move forward to the next stage, known as a Settlement Conference.
Temporary Orders are brought up after a Case Conference, as well as urgent matters requiring immediate court intervention.
A Settlement Conference is another attempt at settlement, if one wasn’t reached at the Case Conference. If the matter is not settled here, it will likely be set down for trial. Or a Trial Management Conference will be scheduled to prepare for trial.
A Trial Management Conference is a final effort at settlement or at narrowing the issues and procedure for trial. The matter is then set for trial. The case will be set to the next available list, which may be a few weeks to a few months away.
A Trial and Hearing commences, wherein the presiding judge hears all the evidence and arguments. He will make a final determination as to the outcome of the matter in the form of a final order.

Litigation is a lengthy and complicated process where documents must be completed to the court’s utmost specification and timeline. The help of a qualified attorney is your family law matter.

While legal knowledge and family law experience are vital traits one should expect from their attorney, it is empathy and time that truly separates good attorneys from great ones.

Our previous clients vouch for the difference Carolyn Vandyk has made in the outcome of their case. Particularly thanking us for keeping them informed throughout the entire process, staying attentive to their needs, and understanding that “there is a human element to every case.”

If Domestic Abuse is a factor in your relationship, look no further than Vandyk Law to work towards restoring safety in your life. Domestic Violence includes another person’s efforts or attempts to cause you physical injury, sexual assault, stalking, threats or harassment, and disruption of your personal property or peace. Our attorneys’ experience with domestic disputes in the Law Enforcement sector give them firsthand knowledge on how to protect someone from such attempts. If you or a loved one has suffered from domestic abuse, you can rely on our attorneys to, first and foremost, make sure you’re safe from immediate danger. And then Vandyk Law will take instantaneous steps to safeguard your future.

There are some cases where a family isn’t looking to determine a new structure based on a separation or divorce, but want to add to their current family dynamic through adoption. Vandyk Law is adept at facilitating this major life change as well. We can advocate for and lead families in all aspects of the adoption process, including working with birth-parents that are looking at adoption as a birth plan for an unborn child, or families looking to adopt a child. We can see to the ease and success of each scenario and make sure that each party’s interests are protected.

If you’re facing a family law matter, such as divorce, don’t chance a negative outcome by hiring the wrong attorney or attempting to go at it alone. An experienced Santa Rosa Divorce Lawyer at Vandyk Law is the answer to guiding you through this complicated process with ease and direction. Our office is just minutes away from the Sonoma County family courthouse. If you live in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Cotati, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, or anywhere in the counties of Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, or Napa, our expertise and dedication are just a phone call away.

Our attorneys truly put themselves in their clients’ shoes. We handle each and every case with sensitivity and resolve, to achieve the best possible outcome. Now is the time to demand that your advocate have the tested, true experience and know how to get you the fair and appropriate conclusion you deserve. Look no further than Vandyk Law to handle your family law matter.

If you require skilled legal representation, contact us immediately at (707) 528-1100.

It does not matter what Family Law you’re facing, you’ll feel much more confident with the experienced Family Law attorneys at Vandyk Law, PC by your side. Call (707) 528-1100 today to speak with one of our lead lawyers.

family law practice areas

VIEW ALL PRACTICE AREAS