History and Purpose
Stephen Hosford was admitted to practice in California in 1977 and has been practicing in Orange County since 1978. Steve graduated from San Diego State University in 1972 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Steve graduated from Western State University of Law in 1976 earning a Juris Doctorate. Valerie Hosford graduated from Western State University in 1993 earning a Juris Doctorate. Valerie Hosford graduated summa cum laude and was on the editorial staff of the WSU Law Review.
The firm has successfully appealed various matters through the District Court of Appeal (second district) and the California Supreme Court. The firm’s primary emphasis is client representation at the trial level.
Historically, the firm was engaged in the practice of criminal law, personal injury and civil litigation. Since 1985 our work is primarily limited to various aspects of family including bankruptcy proceedings.
Family law includes child custody, dissolution, child support, spousal support, property division, adoption, guardianship, paternity, and of course domestic violence issues.
Stephen and Valerie Hosford have been married since 1976 and value the marital relationship. Both understand that difficulties will arise in any marriage and encourage clients to exhaust reasonable efforts to address the problems in the marriage before initiating legal processes. Nearly all dissolutions end in a judgment once legal proceedings begin. The decision to request dissolution of your marriage should be a decision and not a reaction.
After you have made a decision to proceed with a family law action, our purpose is to represent you to protect your legal rights. Our aim is to guide you through the labyrinth we call the judicial system.
The majority of people caught up in the family law court system just want to get on with the business of living and put the matter behind them. They do not want to spend their life savings to do it. Sometimes this process goes smoothly and quickly. Sometimes it does not.
One of the consequences of filing for a divorce is that you may meet a host of people that you would just as soon not know. It may be the judge who hears your case, it may be the “other” attorney, it may be a child custody evaluator, a real estate appraiser, a forensic accountant and the list goes on.
All of these people will have one thing in common; an opinion. The opinion they have will undoubtedly be about something that is very dear to you. It may be your child, your house, your business, your favorite painting, a treasured car, or your retirement plan. All of these “opinions” matter and will influence the outcome of your case and your future. Some of the opinions will approximate your own, others won’t.
Our focus is to help you set realistic goals for the outcome of your case and take the steps needed to make that happen.