Mattis Law, A.P.C. is a family law firm dedicated to serving clients in La Jolla and throughout San Diego. Every day, we help people secure a brighter future by working to protect families and children. To give something back to our community and students across California, we’re offering our $500 Making Waves Scholarship to a deserving student who is working to improve their life by pursuing a four-year college degree. To apply for the 2024 Mattis Law Making Waves Scholarship, you must be a current California high school student graduating in 2024 who plans on attending a four-year college ..read more

Divorce is a complex process that brings emotional and financial challenges, and when it involves children with special needs, the complexity intensifies. Special needs custody issues impact divorce proceedings by introducing complex considerations, including disagreements on diagnosis and treatment, financial planning for ongoing support, and addressing the child’s unique needs. Addressing these factors and navigating the divorce process often requires the specialized legal knowledge and assistance of an experienced San Diego child custody lawyer. Disagreements and Complications in Special N ..read more

Contentious divorce cases tend to be emotionally charged legal battles involving complex issues, such as property division, child custody, and spousal support. In contentious divorce cases, expert witnesses play a major role in providing specialized knowledge or opinions on complex issues, such as property valuation, child custody, or financial matters. Their expertise can significantly influence the court’s decision. Additionally, the assistance of an experienced San Diego divorce lawyer contributes to a more informed and equitable resolution of the divorce. Your attorney can adeptly utilize ..read more

In California, community property division is designed to ensure a fair distribution of assets acquired during the marriage. The underlying principle is to promote fairness by providing both parties with an equal share of the marital estate. However, this process can be complicated when hidden assets come into play, disrupting the intended fairness. Hidden assets, whether in the form of undeclared income, offshore accounts, hidden properties, or undisclosed investments, pose a direct challenge to the principles of community property division. They can significantly impact the fairness of a di ..read more

You have probably heard of a prenuptial agreement—but what about a postnuptial agreement? In the world of California family law, postnuptial agreements are gaining recognition and importance for couples who want to navigate the complexities of marriage with clear financial expectations. Understanding the role of postnuptial agreements in marital relationships is crucial for anyone seeking to fortify their union in the face of financial uncertainties. Defining Postnuptial Agreements Postnuptial agreements are legal documents created after a couple has already tied the knot. They differ from pr ..read more

In a recent feature in Forbes magazine’s “San Diego Leaders in Law,” Amelia Mattis, the founder and managing attorney of Mattis Law, A.P.C., takes center stage. The article, aptly titled “Changing the Family Narrative,” sheds light on Mattis’ pivotal role in bringing hope and resolution to clients navigating the emotionally charged realms of child custody and divorce. “My role is to sift through heated emotions to find out what’s really going on,” explains Mattis. As the managing attorney of Mattis Law, A.P.C., a San Diego-based law firm, she understands the nuanced nature of family law. Unli ..read more

The holiday season is considered a time of joy, family, and celebration. However, for families navigating the challenges of divorce, the holidays can bring unique difficulties, especially for the children involved. The emotional impact of divorce on children during the holidays is significant for many families. Such families can benefit from further education on how the holidays affect the emotions of children, as well as practical tips for co-parenting and legal considerations for custody arrangements. Understanding the Emotional Challenges Divorce inevitably brings a range of emotions for a ..read more

Our inaugural Mattis Law Making Waves $500 college scholarship was a smashing success, and we are proud to announce that it’s going to become an annual event. Reading essays submitted by current and future college students from all over California was a wonderful experience for us. We learned so much about today’s students and the goals they have for the future. Their words have inspired us and reaffirmed our faith in humanity. It’s gratifying to be able to give something back to the beautiful state of California. The Golden State continues to provide opportunities for people who follow their ..read more

We’ve had a wonderful time reading all the essays submitted by the entrants of our 2023 Mattis Law Making Waves Scholarship. Our essay prompt asked current and aspiring college students to tell us how they intend to apply themselves while seeking higher education, and we also wanted to know about the future activities they are most looking forward to. We live in challenging times. After reading so many engaging and heartfelt student essays, our team at Mattis Law feels confident that the future is in good hands. California and the nation are fortunate to have these outstanding students who ar ..read more

Divorce can be a challenging and emotional process, especially when children are involved. Beyond the immediate concerns, parents must also consider their children’s future, including their education. Effectively addressing college-related divorce considerations requires ensuring a child’s educational needs are met by addressing these issues in divorce agreements. Determining Responsibility for College Tuition When it comes to divorce and its impact on a child’s education, one of the pivotal discussions revolves around determining responsibility for college tuition. This critical decision is ..read more