Best Family Law Attorney Bakersfield Near Me

4worldlovers: From the logistical division of your property to your personal goals for life after divorce, our firm will be there to guide you through the entire process. We have been helping clients navigate the complexities of divorce for more than 30 years, so you can trust that our team is well-equipped to provide the dedicated legal advocacy that you need.

I was arrested because of a misunderstanding while in a domestic dispute with the father of my child while I was pregnant. I was scared and didn't know who to trust or turn to because I felt like the circumstances for my situation were insurmountable and too unique to know what to do. Thanks to everyone at Azemika & Azemika, I was able to take charge of my case. They were a blessing to me. I couldn't have done this without them.


There's that age old myth that fathers never stand a chance in regard to child custody. When my ex-wife filed papers for divorce, the Azemika family law attorneys stood by my side. They were highly responsive to my case, helping me protect my children and even had child support awarded to me! I can't begin to express how thankful I am that I found Azemika & Azemika!


Thank you for being there for me during a hard time in my life. Despite the fact that I loved my partner, the only agreement we've had in seven years was to seek a divorce. I was torn up by this, but through your counsel, I regained the confidence to be myself again. I didn't feel like another statistic, but someone who mattered. Mr. Azemika brought back the peace of mind that I thought I lost when the divorce began. Thanks again!

4worldlovers: At Bobby Cloud Law, we are devoted to providing our clients with the exceptional legal representation that they deserve. We have experience in family law issues such as, divorce and child custody, as well as both misdemeanor and felony criminal charges.


Family law and criminal defense are two legal fields in which your life can be seriously disrupted and your future made extremely uncertain. How your case is resolved can affect you, your family, your financial resources, and more for years to come. Ensuring that you understand where you stand legally, your available options, and how to move forward for optimum results is critical.

At Bobby Cloud Law, you can work with a professional who understands the difficulties and challenges you face and who is here to ensure that you have the legal support and skills you need at this crucial juncture. Our job is to ensure that your rights are protected and that your best interests are served throughout the legal process. As your ally and advocate, we believe that, by client and attorney working together, we can devise case resolutions that will truly reflect your unique needs and goals.

Facing a divorce or other family law matters is notoriously stressful and can evoke a host of emotions that can cloud your judgment and reasoning and swamp you at any time. Aside from that, understanding California family law, the family court system, and how these may affect your case can be overwhelming. You may be faced with decisions about custody and financial arrangements, such as how to deal with the marital estate, business interests, retirement accounts, and more. Uncertainty, doubt, and confusion can make these decisions painful and problematic without the help of a trusted Bakersfield attorney.

4worldlovers: At the The Law Office of Mellanie Marshall Rapozo, we know that going through a family law issue can be difficult for the whole family. It is often an emotional time that can affect virtually every other aspect of your life as well.

Attorney Marshall understands what you are going through because she has worked on over 400 cases in her nearly a decade of practicing as a sole practitioner. She can help you settle your matter quickly or go to trial, whichever option is best for your unique situation. When you need an experienced Bakersfield family law attorney, Attorney Marshall can help.

Attorney Marshall is more than just a Bakersfield divorce attorney; she can assist with a variety of other family law matters as well. Her practice includes:

It is especially important to have a family law attorney compared to other areas of the law because of the significance of the issues in dispute. The future of your children and your financial outlook depend on you having an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer on your side. You cannot put such vital aspects of your life at risk by using an attorney that does not focus their practice on family law matters.

Many family law issues can be resolved by working together to create a solution that works for everyone. Collaboration can often be easier on the entire family, especially children. Creativity and compassion are key in these situations.

4worldlovers:
As a certified family law specialist with over 25 years of experience, attorney George R. Horrigan is a trusted resource in Bakersfield for a comprehensive range of family law issues. We are well-known and respected in this community. In fact, many of our clients are referrals. That says a lot about how our peers regard us.


We guide clients through all aspects of divorce, including child custody and visitation, child support, alimony and property division. Our advocacy also continues after divorce if clients need to seek a post-judgment modification of their support obligations. We also assist with additional family law issues such as annulment, domestic violence, guardianship and paternity.

We understand that family law issues can be emotionally taxing. That’s why our advocacy extends outside of the courtroom. Our starting point is often mediation or informal negotiations. If we reach agreements on one or more of the issues that must be resolved, we will have saved you time, additional emotional upset and money.

Sometimes, the parties may require the court to be the decision-maker because they are too close to an issue to reach an agreement. We have over 25 years of experience in preparing cases for court. If aggressive divorce litigation is required, we know how to prepare a strong narrative, persuasive evidence and prepare our witnesses. We are thoroughly familiar not only with California’s family laws, but also the local courts and judges. We utilize that knowledge to tailor our strategy to the specific forum.

4worldlovers:
At Law Office of David F. Leon, we handle divorce and family law matters for clients in Bakersfield and throughout surrounding Kern County communities.


We do not apply a scorched-earth approach to family law. We believe that intimidation and “bulldog” legal tactics can tear the fabric of a family and cause irreparable harm.


We work to guide clients to amicable, cost-effective solutions through negotiation and collaborative law whenever possible. However, when the other party refuses to be reasonable, Bakersfield divorce lawyer David F. Leon is always prepared for strong litigation.


Nobody wants to face a family law problem such as a divorce or a child custody dispute. However, when such a problem arises, it is important to handle it with care.

Attorney David Leon has more than 20 years of experience handling divorce and family law matters for clients in Bakersfield and throughout surrounding areas. Mr. Leon and his experienced staff will handle your critical legal and financial matters with the utmost care and attention to detail.

We will take the time to gain an understanding of your situation, so we can tailor a legal approach suited to your unique needs and goals. Our Bakersfield family law firm is here to provide you with the compassionate guidance and strong advocacy you need at this time.

“My family law matter was extremely complex. It contained a divorce, a guardianship, a paternity matter, and lots of complex problems. With all of the complexity, I was worried about finding the right law firm, and interviewed three attorneys. Mr. Leon had a very unique approach, and my anxiety immediately began to lift. I could breath again. The result was better than I could have hoped for. Mr. Leon, and his talented staff were available to answer questions, and solve the complex problems. I have heard horror stories about attorneys missing a court date, then custody changed completely. Mr. Leon was early to court every single time. His problem-solving skills are impeccable. His friendly and caring demeanor makes it feel like you’re being represented by a family member. I am more grateful than words can ever express. Possibly one of my favorite attributes of Mr. Leon is the following. Within intelligent people, arrogance is common, yet, Mr. Leon does not have an arrogant bone in his body. It was a refreshing delight to work with a gentleman who is so smart and so down-to-earth at the same time. Mr. Leon is a living example of what the ideal family law attorney should look like. If you are fortunate enough to be able to hire him, he will be a tremendous asset to your family law matter.”

4worldlovers: Jim R. Canaday was born and raised in Bakersfield. He is of third generation in Kern County where his grandfather arrived here in 1929. After Jim finished High School, he attended Bakersfield College and earned his Associate of Science degree. After Bakersfield College, Jim attended California State University in Bakersfield and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with dual majors in Management and Operational Analysis.


Jim Canaday: Experienced in all areas of Family Law and Probate Guardianships/Conservatorships


Child Custody is one of the most emotionally draining areas of family law. When faced with the uncertainty that accompanies child custody cases you need an experienced family law attorney fighting for you.


Divorce can become complicated and challenging without the right divorce attorney by your side making sure you get a fair settlement.


According to California law, you're entitled to a fair spousal/child support order. Don't let your family suffer due to your divorce. You need an experienced family law attorney by your side.


A guardianship becomes necessary when a parent can not provide the care and support of their child. An experienced attorney can help guide you through this complicated process.


There are certain circumstances in which grandparents have a legal right to have visitation with their grandchildren. Jim Canaday works with grandparents to make sure that they’re can take advantage of this law.

When it comes to the relationship between a parent and a child, parents have responsibilities, such as making sure the needs of a child are taken care of. In instances where the parent can no longer take care of the minor, Courts can terminate the parent's rights.

You need the best. There are some things you simply cannot afford not to spend every single penny on. The top of that list would be protecting your family/children. Find a way to make it work so that you get the best counsel possible because it truly makes a world of difference in family court. I came to Mr. Canaday with a custody situation that was malicious and truly based on parental alienation. The opposing side was trying everything they could to defame me as a parent by dredging up every blemish of my history—which admittedly wasn’t always the best. We ended up needing to go to trial as the opposing side was very manipulative. Mr. Canaday came to court with a tour-de-force performance. He was sharp, completely prepared, knew my wishes, knows all the pertinent laws without needing to be shady like some attorneys and he will absolutely defend your rights as a parent. Things may not move as quickly as you may expect but that is simply what happens when you have the best and are working toward a goal that can keep you from needing to return to court in the long-term. Nearly the entire courtroom came up to him asking for his card after seeing him argue on my behalf. After a lengthy trial, I was ultimately awarded in my, and (more importantly) my child’s best interest. He has a very concise examination style and incredible respect for the court/judicial system that always plays to your interest because your lawyer represents you! He is clearly well respected by his peers/judges and has a long history working in Bakersfield/Kern county. I spent a lot of time with Mr. Canaday and cannot recommend him with higher praise if I tried. I always felt he was honest and willing to answer my questions and fiercely negotiate on my behalf. I owe him more than money could ever re-pay for helping to protect my relationship between my child and I.