Stephen Peter Anderson

I have been Trial Attorney for 39 years, serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County clients with family law, criminal and personal injury cases. Our goal is to provide you excellent legal advice at a fair and reasonable rate.

We offer a free initial consultation on all legal matters in the following areas of practice:

Family law-- These cases can create a great deal of emotion when children are involved. We can help reduce that stress, while helping everyone work through a difficult time. In addition, financial complications arise in most breakups, forcing immediate attention in the court. Our practice involves past representation of thousands of satisfied family law clients, who have referred us to their family, friends and co-workers.

Criminal cases--These require urgent attention to ensure rights are protected. These may include coordinating bail, or asking for an O.R. release. Often, interviews by law enforcement need be attended even prior to charges being brought.
Your constitutional rights should be protected every step of the way.

Personal injury cases--These include vehicle accidents, trip and fall, dog bites, general negligence and product liability matters. Discussion with our office as soon as you can following such an injury producing event, is your best safeguard to ensuring full compensation for your losses, which can include medical expenses, loss of earnings and pain and suffering. With experience in handling thousands of personal injury cases through settlement, arbitration or trial, involving millions of dollars in compensation, we are confident that you will be well served through our representation. While no guarantee or representation can be made on any individual case, our best professional efforts using 39 years of experience will be made on your case.

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees
  Personal injury cases

California

Since 1980

Western State Univ

Undergraduate Degree

Western State Univ

Law Degree

California State Bar  # 93457

Member

1980 - Current

Q. What is considered in alimony, date of separation or date of divorce in California? I'm a worried mom.

August 3, 2022

A: This is a very involved question. Spousal support is generally based upon needs of the party, after consideration of the incomes are in by both parties. Temporary spousal support in California is done through a computer calculation and takes into account not only incomes but deductions such as mandatory retirement health insurance premiums and other items. At the time of resolution of the case either by agreement or trial, the court is not allowed to consider a computer calculation but must consider a number of factors: lifestyles of the parties, work history, current income, education, health and others. Spousal support can be ordered from the date of filing of the petition for divorce, and can also be modified without retroactivity thereafter. The courts generally have discussion as to the time period in which spousal support can be requested. Long-term marriages, that is 10 years or more, canned permit spousal support to be paid for the life of the receiving spouse. They're generally is a Gavron Warning given to the receiving spouse that they need to make every effort to be financially self-sufficient within half the term of the marriage. As I indicated the question and response would be complex. You are best advised to seek counsel from an attorney as to your specific issues. ... Read More

Q. Can husband be awarded spousal support from wife, if he's paying child support to wife?

November 5, 2021

A: Support is generally calculated using the gross incomes of the parties, and the visitation percentage. Other deductions from health insurance, union dues, mandatory retirement, etc. are also inputted. Expenses of the parties are not considered. Spousal support, temporarily (before final judgment) can use the same calc. program.

I ran your numbers, but don't have some of the information. But the answer to your question is that, depending on the incomes of the parties, there could be child support paid by one spouse, with spousal support paid to the the CS paying spouse. The numbers would then be offset to cause a net payout by one, or the other.

Q. if the petitioner of a guardianship bribes another to make it easier for her to get the child what should i file?

April 30, 2020

A: You need the advice of an attorney right away. These issues are important! There are important rights that can't be answered in a quick online question.