LAW OFFICES OF JANICE CHO, APC

Some couples begin a marriage based green card process while their relationship is under strain. Others separate after they have already filed. When people search for answers, they often use phrases like marriage based green card divorce or divorce before green card approval, because the timing of the separation can change what options remain. Bottom line. If you are separating before permanent residence is granted, USCIS may not be able to approve a marriage based case if th

In the Bay Area, the family home is often the largest asset in a divorce. It is also the most emotional. If you are asking what happens to the house in a California divorce, the answer usually depends on whether the home is community or separate, whether either spouse can refinance, and whether selling or a buyout is realistic based on income and interest rates. In many cases, the home is sold and the net proceeds are divided, or one spouse buys out the other and refinances t

A Domestic Violence Restraining Order, often called a DVRO, can create immediate safety boundaries for adults and children. In practice, most people searching for help are looking for how to get a domestic violence restraining order in California and what to expect once the court process starts. A DVRO can order a person not to contact you, to move out of a shared home, and to stay away from your workplace or your child’s school. It can also include temporary custody, visitat

Why Equity Compensation Matters in Bay Area Divorces Equity compensation is a central feature of many Bay Area careers. Employees at public companies receive restricted stock units that deliver shares on a schedule. Startup professionals hold incentive or nonqualified stock options that may or may not be in the money. Many households participate in employee stock purchase plans or receive cash or stock bonuses tied to company performance. When a marriage ends, these benefits

If you received a two year green card through marriage and your relationship has since ended, you can often keep permanent residency by filing an I-751 waiver without your spouse. Many Oakland and Bay Area clients face this situation after a divorce or after leaving an abusive relationship. It is common to feel uncertain about timing, evidence, and interviews. This guide explains the main eligibility paths, the documents that make a difference, and how the family court side o

For many Oakland and Bay Area families, mediation offers a practical way to resolve a divorce while keeping decisions in your hands. Instead of asking a judge to make rulings after adversarial hearings, you and your spouse work with a neutral mediator to reach a complete Marital Settlement Agreement that the court can accept. Mediation emphasizes privacy, problem solving, and a timeline that usually moves faster than a fully litigated case. Our team represents clients as medi

Sometimes family situations become so urgent that waiting weeks or months for a regular court hearing isn't an option. That's where...

Recent legislative updates have brought significant changes to how child support is calculated in California. SB 343 , enacted to...

Custody issues can become complex when one parent seeks to relocate, these cases are known as "move-away" cases.

When you need an Oakland family lawyer, our office will guide you through this delicate custody issue in a sensitive and holistic fashion.