Domestic Violence Peaceful Settlements When Possible.
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Domestic Violence Attorney in Woodland Hills

Representing Victims Seeking Protection & Those Facing Accusations

Domestic violence matters in California sit at the intersection of criminal exposure and family law consequences. A restraining order can determine who stays in the family home. An accusation during a contested custody case can shift a judge’s entire view of the proceedings. Whether you need protection or you’ve been served with papers you believe misrepresent what happened, the legal steps you take in the first days matter enormously.

At Nader & Woodcock, we handle domestic violence representation as part of our California family law practice, serving clients in Woodland Hills and throughout Los Angeles County. We represent both individuals seeking protective orders and those responding to accusations that could affect their custody rights, professional standing, or divorce outcome.

If your situation is urgent, don’t wait. Call our Woodland Hills office at (818) 614-5339 to speak with a member of our team.

A Team-Based Approach to High-Stakes Family Law Matters

Most family law firms assign one attorney to a case and leave it there. Our structure is different. Multiple attorneys collaborate on case analysis and strategy, with work assigned based on each attorney’s specific focus. When a domestic violence matter connects to divorce, custody, and spousal support simultaneously, that team approach avoids the gaps that come from a single-attorney model handling every dimension alone.

Our team includes William Woodcock, Esq., a Certified Family Law Specialist certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California, along with Amir A. Nader, Esq., Harold J. Stanton, Esq., Marian L. Stanton, Esq., Leon Small, Esq., and Neeta Patel, Esq. That credential reflects formally recognized training in California family law and is directly relevant when domestic violence allegations intersect with complex custody arrangements or significant marital assets.

We have represented celebrities, corporate executives, professional athletes, physicians, lawyers, actors, motion picture and television executives, and high-profile business owners. When a domestic violence matter involves a professional reputation, complex assets, or a public profile, we understand what is at stake beyond the courtroom.

What We Handle in Domestic Violence Cases

California defines domestic violence as abuse or threats of abuse between people in an intimate relationship, who share a household, or who have a child together. The definition extends well beyond married couples, and the legal consequences extend well beyond the restraining order itself.

For Individuals Seeking Protection
We can help you pursue an emergency protective order, a temporary restraining order, and a permanent restraining order through the California family courts. Because domestic violence history directly affects child custody determinations, we address custody implications from your first court appearance rather than treating the restraining order as a separate proceeding.

For Individuals Responding to Accusations
A temporary restraining order can be issued with little or no notice to you, requiring you to leave the family home and restricting your contact with your children before you’ve had any opportunity to present your side. A false accusation can still produce immediate, serious consequences. We work to protect your rights at every stage, from the initial TRO through the permanent order hearing and into any related custody or divorce proceedings.

Once the restraining order phase resolves, the family law issues don’t end. Our experienced mediator and Parenting Plan Coordinator are available to help parties work through custody arrangements and co-parenting structures, which is often the most contested work that follows a domestic violence proceeding.

Contact Our Woodland Hills Domestic Violence Attorneys

Domestic violence matters move quickly, and early decisions shape everything that follows. If you’re in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Northridge, or anywhere else in Los Angeles County and need legal counsel, reach out to our team for an honest conversation about your rights and options.

Call us at (818) 614-5339 or use the contact form on this site. We represent both those seeking protection and those responding to accusations, and we can give you a clear picture of where you stand from the first conversation.

How California Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Work

California uses a three-stage process to issue and finalize domestic violence restraining orders. Understanding each stage helps you act quickly and avoid procedural mistakes that can affect the outcome.

Emergency Protective Order (EPO)

Law enforcement can issue an EPO at any hour of the day or night, without prior notice to the restrained party. It takes effect immediately and is typically the order in place following a domestic violence call to police. An EPO is short-term by design, intended to bridge the gap until the family court can act.

Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)

A TRO is filed with the family court clerk and can be issued on an ex parte basis, meaning the person filing doesn’t need the other party present or notified in advance. A TRO is typically in effect for approximately three weeks, during which it can require the restrained party to vacate the family home, stay away from the other person’s workplace and the children’s school, and surrender any firearms. Once issued, the order is entered into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, making it accessible to law enforcement statewide.

Restraining Order After Hearing

At the scheduled hearing, both the person seeking the order and the restrained party have the right to present evidence and testimony. A judge then issues or denies a longer-term order. If the restrained party fails to appear, the TRO can become a permanent order by default. A restraining order after hearing in California can last up to five years and is renewable. Having an attorney prepared to present your position at this hearing is important regardless of which side of the proceeding you are on.

How a Domestic Violence Finding Affects Child Custody

A domestic violence finding doesn’t just affect the restraining order. It can reshape custody arrangements in ways that persist long after the original proceeding concludes.

Under California Family Code Section 3044, if a court finds that a parent committed domestic violence against the other parent or a child within the preceding five years, there is a rebuttable presumption that awarding sole or joint physical or legal custody to that parent would be detrimental to the child. In plain terms, the burden shifts to the parent with the finding to demonstrate that custody would not cause harm.

Courts may still award visitation to a parent subject to the presumption, though supervised visitation is common. A judge may also condition any custody rights on completing a batterers’ intervention program, a parenting class, or substance treatment.

Documentation matters from the beginning. Police reports, medical records, photographs, and witness statements all factor into the custody determination. Building that record early and presenting it clearly at the first hearing can set the foundation for every proceeding that follows.

How Domestic Violence Affects Divorce Outcomes in California

When domestic violence intersects with a California divorce, it can affect both spousal support and property division. A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction within the prior five years creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding support to the convicted spouse. That presumption can be overcome, but the burden rests with the convicted spouse to present sufficient countervailing evidence. A felony conviction carries a more absolute prohibition under California Family Code Section 4324.5.

On the property side, a court may consider economic harm caused by abuse, including medical costs and lost income, when dividing marital assets. This can result in an unequal division that favors the victim. A conviction doesn’t automatically determine property or support outcomes, but it is a factor the court weighs alongside all other evidence.

Because domestic violence touches custody, support, and property division at the same time, working with a firm that handles all of these issues within a single California family law practice keeps strategy coordinated across every issue from the start.

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