Exclusively Family Law. Walzer & Melcher LLP is committed to resolving divorce cases by settlement. When that cannot be achieved, we provide strong and effective representation at trial. We are one of the most respected family law firms in California. We limit our practice to divorce cases in Los Angeles or Ventura counties, and premarital agreements or postmarital agreements under California law. We are experts in the law, know how to handle a case efficiently, and care about our clients.

Our Clients. Our typical client is a business owner, executive, professional, athlete, or trust fund beneficiary going through a divorce in Los Angeles or Ventura county. We also specialize in preparing premarital or prenuptial agreements, postmarital agreements, and cohabitation agreements for clients who want protection from California community property and spousal support laws.

Services. Family law is large practice area, which includes many sub-specialities. We are experts in the following areas:

• Valuation of a business for purposes of a California divorce.
• Apportioning community versus separate property interests in a business owned before marriage based on efforts by the business owner during marriage in a California divorce action.
• Determining income or cash flow available for purposes of spousal support or child support under California law.
• Characterizing assets or debts as community or separate property, including real estate, royalties, intellectual property, investments, and life insurance for purposes of divorce.
• Disputes concerning interspousal property transactions under California law.
• Negotiating and preparing California prenuptial or premarital agreements, postmarital agreements, and cohabitation agreements.
• Litigation concerning the meaning or enforceability of a California prenuptial or premarital agreement, postmarital agreement, and cohabitation agreement.
• The fiduciary duty between spouses under California law during marriage and after separation.
• The tax consequences of a divorce settlement, property agreement, or support agreement under California and federal tax laws.
• Interstate child support actions involving professional athletes and entertainers.
• International child custody matters for the return of a child to either the United States or another country based on an alleged parental abduction.
• Trial consultation to other divorce lawyers when difficult questions of California family law arise.
• Expert witnesses as to the standard of care for California family lawyers.

Location. Our office is in the Warner Center Plaza in Woodland Hills, California. We file all of our Los Angeles County cases in the downtown Los Angeles family court. We serve all areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Our local clients typically reside in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, Valencia, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Hidden Valley, Malibu, Topanga, or Pacific Palisades.

Our Partners. We have four lawyers in our firm, all of whom practice only family law.

• Peter M. Walzer is the founder of the firm, with 29 years of experience as a California divorce attorney. He has served as a leader in almost every family law organization. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
• Christopher C. Melcher is a partner in the firm. He has 16 years of experience as a trial attorney. Before entering family law, he practiced criminal defense and civil litigation. He is Vice Chair of the State Bar of California Family Law Section. He is a regular speaker and author on divorce issues.
• Mr. Walzer and Mr. Melcher are Certified Family Law Specialists by the California State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Both of them also hold the rating of AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell.

Call Us for More Information. Please call our office at 818-591-3700 to schedule a consultation. You can meet with one of our attorneys in person or consult over the telephone.