Best Divorce Lawyers Omaha
LINDSAY TORGERSON
Divorce Lawyers
As the owner of Wine Country Family Law, P.C. Lindsay Torgerson works with clients and sets the tone for her growing firm. Since founding the firm in 2008, Lindsay has kept her focus on clients and has dedicated herself to treating them as more than someone seeking legal services. They want—and deserve—to be listened to, respected, kept informed, and vigorously represented in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
As her legal team has grown, Lindsay has carried this philosophy forward by hiring only caring, professional attorneys and support staff who can be counted on to uphold these standards. Lindsay enjoys working closely with clients to help them persevere through what is often the most difficult period of their life. Although it can be stressful working with clients’ personal issues such as love, finance, and children, Lindsay can’t imagine doing anything else. To put it lightly, she would be bored to tears working in an area of law where she didn’t have such close interactions and a noticeably direct impact on people’s lives.
Lindsay graduated from the William Howard Taft University School of Law in 2007, where she was the recipient of William Howard Taft’s Ninth Annual Law Enforcement Scholarship and Earl Warren Award for Outstanding Law Student (both in 2004 and 2006!). Lindsay was in her early twenties when she first realized she wanted to become a lawyer. After being wrongly terminated from a corporate bank job, she decided to research California unemployment codes and represent herself in court. As intimidating as it was to go up against a big bank all on her own, she won the case and began to build confidence in her burgeoning legal aptitude.
Lindsay’s background in family law is both unique and highly relevant. Her own personal experiences as a child and adult of divorce enables her to assist clients through difficult family law processes because she has literally “been there” herself. Lindsay uses these experiences–the good, the bad, and the ugly–to help guide her family law clients to the best possible results without sacrificing their family’s well-being or their own sense of self.
Jon Vonder Haar
Divorce Lawyers
Jon Vonder Haar is an experienced counselor, advisor, and trial attorney. He is responsible for all aspects of a client’s defense, including initial case investigation and evaluation, strategy, settlement negotiations, and trial.
Mr. Vonder Haar started his legal career while still in law school representing indigent criminal defendants in open court as a certified student in the Solano County Public Defender’s Office. Later, he interned at the Santa Clara Public Defender’s Office.
Mr. Vonder Haar graduated from the John F. Kennedy University School of Law in 1997 and passed the California Bar Examination that same year on his first attempt. His legal background includes extensive civil litigation in both state and federal court.
He is admitted to practice in all of the Courts in California, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and he has practiced in most of the western United States and elsewhere by admission pro hac vice or by direct application to the particular Federal District Court.
Carla Boyd Terre
Divorce Lawyers
Carla’s Credentials:
- Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
- Named to the exclusive list of Northern California Super Lawyers three years in a row (2020, 2021 and 2022)
- Named one of Northern California’s “Rising Stars” ten years in a row by Super Lawyers Magazine from 2010 to 2019
- Past President of Sonoma County Bar Association
- Past Chairperson of the Sonoma County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Past Member of the Family Law Advisory Commission of the State Bar of California
Carla Boyd Terre, family law attorney and mediator, is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and is rated an “AV Preeminent” attorney by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings. Carla was the President of the Sonoma County Bar Association (SCBA) in 2015 and served as the Chairperson of the Family Law Section Steering Committee in 2009. She was one of the founding members of the Mental Health Liaison Committee, a subcommittee of the Family Law Section of SCBA. She served as a Commissioner on the Family Law Advisory Committee of the California State Bar from 2013 through 2016. Carla currently serves as a member of the Sonoma County Bar Association’s Family Law Steering Committee.
Carla is currently a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California, SCBA, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Women in Law, and the Family Law Section of SCBA. Carla has been named one of Northern California’s “Rising Stars” ten years in a row by Super Lawyers from 2010 to 2019. Carla was named to Northern California Super Lawyers in both 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Carla is a 2003 graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating in the top 25% of her class. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with honors, from Mills College in Oakland, California. During her third year in law school, Carla served as an Extern for Justice Maria Rivera of the California Court of Appeal and then as a Law Clerk for the Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services.
Kathleen J. Smith
Divorce Lawyers
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Juvenile Dependency
- Divorce
- Children
- Adoption Law
- Child Abduction
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Child Advocacy
- Child Custody & Visitation
- Child Custody Mediation
- Child Dependency
- Child Protection
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Child & Spousal Support
- Child Welfare
- Children’s Rights
- Father’s Rights
- Grandparents Custody
- Grandparents Visitation Rights
- Interstate Child Custody
- Parental Kidnapping
- Parental Rights
- Guardianship & Stepparent Adoptions
Bar Admissions
- California, 1996
Education
- Empire College Law School, Santa Rosa, California
- J.D. – 1995
- Honors: cum laude
Professional Associations and Memberships
- California State Bar Association, Member, 1996 to Present
- Sonoma County Bar Association, Member, 1996 to Present
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Member, 2018 to Present
Pro Bono Activities
- Settlement Conference Facilitator, 2005 to Present
- SVUSD Law Week Presenter, 2017
Alyson Challoner
Divorce Lawyers
She returned to Sonoma County after receiving her education in Southern California and joined Challoner Law in 2012. In 2006 Alyson earned her bachelor degree from UCLA, graduating Summa Cum Laude and received both her Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Before joining the practice of Challoner Law, Alyson worked in the Sonoma County area for Le + Pelletier, LLP where she gained experience in Corporate law and Business development. While studying in Southern California she was a contracts administrator for PorchLight Entertainment, Inc. specializing in distributions and other aspects of Entertainment law. During her time at Pepperdine Alyson worked as research assistant to Professor Thomas Stipanowich in the areas of contract law, international commercial arbitration and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. She has a strong background in mediation and seeks to incorporate much of this experience into her practice as a Family Law attorney.
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Custody & Visitation
- Child Support
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Mediation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Mediation and Collaborative Law
Bar Admissions
- California, 2011
Education
- Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, California
- J.D. – 2010
- Honors: Certificate in Dispute Resolution
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- B.A. summa cum laude
- Honors: Dean’s List
- Honors: Sigma Tau Delta Honors English Society
- Honors: National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Major: English Literature
Deborah S. Bull
Divorce Lawyers
Ms. Bull’s area of practice includes appellate law and family law. The State Bar of California has certified Ms. Bull as a legal specialist in both appellate law and family law. She is an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated attorney with over 15 years’ experience.
Areas of Practice
- Appeals
- Family Law
The State Bar of California has certified Ms. Bull as a legal specialist in family law. Ms. Bull has handled family law matters for over 15 years, including custody, support, complex financial issues, business valuation and property division, as well as premarital agreements, jurisdictional issues, guardianships, adoptions, and parentage terminations. She encourages mediation and finding a successful and cost-efficient resolution outside of the courtroom but also vigorously defends matters that must go to a contested hearing or trial. Her appellate expertise provides her clients with a deeper perspective on the law underlying their matters and how a matter would be viewed on appeal.
CAROLYN VANDYK
Divorce Lawyers
Carolyn Vandyk is the founder and lead attorney at Vandyk Law. She was born and raised in the Bay Area, settling in Santa Rosa in 1996 to raise her family. Carolyn’s desire to become a lawyer was fueled by her desire to help people navigate the court system through difficult times. She had witnessed legal injustice on several occasions and vowed to make a difference in the legal community by placing the needs of her clients above all else.
While going through law school, Carolyn worked as a certified law clerk with the Sonoma County Office of the Public Defender. Carolyn graduated cum laude and earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Empire College School of Law here in Santa Rosa. After working for a boutique law firm, Carolyn opened her own practice in Santa Rosa specializing in family law. Carolyn has decades of combined courtroom and mediation settings experience in Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, and Lake Counties.
Carolyn has extensive experience in handling child custody cases, divorce settlements, parental rights, child support, and alimony as well as visitation arrangements, spousal support, and restraining orders. She also has experience in pre-trial investigation, motions, discovery, negotiations, and plea bargaining. In a recent family law case, Carolyn (as the trial attorney) and Constance Burtnett (as the appellate attorney), addressed an issue that had never before been brought before the courts. Not only did they win the case for their client, but the courts established a new law as a result.
Lorilee DeSantis
Divorce Lawyers
Lorilee DeSantis is an attorney whose passion for helping families protect their loved ones and their assets shines through to all who work with her. Lorilee’s clients often comment that her ability to deeply listen and understand their concerns makes it very easy for them to talk to her about difficult subjects. Her clients also appreciate that Lorilee explains complex legal concepts in ways that are easy to digest so that clients fully understand their legal options.
Lorilee’s dedication to helping people with family-oriented legal issues stems from personal experiences. When Lorilee was growing up, she saw numerous extended family members tear each other apart while arguing over money and sibling rivalries. She felt this was a terrible thing to happen to a family, and relationships might have been saved if proper estate planning had been done to prevent such arguments. Lorilee is also keenly aware of the emotions people feel when they go through a divorce – such as anger, regret, resentment, shame, relief, and fear – because she experienced a divorce before she attended law school. These experiences motivated her to practice family law and estate planning because these legal fields are where Lorilee feels she can most effectively empower her clients to move forward in life, confident that their children and their assets will be protected to the best of their abilities.
Lorilee is a strong believer in giving back to the community. She has volunteered at the Family Law Facilitator’s Office where she has helped under-privileged, self-represented individuals prepare pleadings for divorces and legal separations. In honor of her dedication, the Sonoma County Superior Court presented Lorilee with the Pro Bono Award in 2012. Through her Rotary club, Lorilee has also helped feed local homeless children and raise money for breast cancer research.
Benefits of Having the Best Divorce Lawyer in Santa Rosa, CA:
Legal Expertise: A top divorce lawyer in Santa Rosa will have an in-depth understanding of California’s divorce laws, ensuring that your case is handled in compliance with state statutes and regulations.
Objective Advice: Divorce is emotionally charged, which can make it difficult to make rational decisions. A divorce lawyer can provide you with objective advice and help you make informed choices about important matters such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorce cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement rather than going to court. An experienced attorney can negotiate effectively on your behalf to reach a fair and favorable settlement with your spouse, potentially saving you time, money, and emotional stress.
Legal Documentation: Divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork, including legal documents and court filings. A top divorce lawyer will ensure that all necessary documentation is prepared accurately and submitted on time to avoid delays or complications.
Court Representation: If your divorce case does go to court, having a skilled attorney by your side can be invaluable. They will represent your interests effectively before a judge, present your case persuasively, cross-examine witnesses, and advocate for your rights.
Asset Protection: If you have substantial assets or complex financial holdings, a divorce lawyer can help ensure that your property and financial interests are protected during the divorce process.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, a top divorce lawyer will work diligently to secure a fair custody arrangement and child support agreement that is in the best interests of your children.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Some divorces can be resolved through mediation or alternative dispute resolution methods. A knowledgeable attorney can represent you during these processes and help you reach a mutually acceptable agreement with your spouse.
Post-Divorce Issues: Even after the divorce is finalized, there may be post-divorce issues that arise, such as modification of custody or support orders. Having a trusted attorney can be helpful in addressing these ongoing legal matters.
Emotional Support: Going through a divorce is emotionally challenging. A good divorce lawyer can provide not only legal guidance but also emotional support, helping you cope with the stress and uncertainty of the process.
Difference Between Divorce and Separation:
Divorce:
- A divorce is a legal process that formally ends a marriage, allowing both parties to remarry if they choose to do so.
- In a divorce, the court addresses issues such as property division, spousal support (alimony), child custody, child support, and visitation rights.
- After a divorce, the spouses are no longer legally married and are free to pursue new relationships.
Separation:
- Legal separation is a legal status that allows a married couple to live apart while remaining married.
- During a legal separation, the court can address similar issues as in a divorce, such as property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support.
- However, the couple remains legally married and cannot remarry unless they later decide to divorce.
It’s worth noting that some couples choose to separate informally without involving the court. This is often referred to as a “trial separation” and does not have the legal implications or protections of a formal legal separation.
Ultimately, whether to pursue a divorce or legal separation depends on the specific circumstances and preferences of the individuals involved. Consulting with a qualified family law attorney can help you understand the options available and make informed decisions.