Family Law

• Divorce
  I am California divorce and family law attorney Martin "Jamie" Elmer. I decided to attend law school because I am passionate about working with people. Plus, well, I just happen to like a good argument and being a great problem solver. These qualities have served my clients well during my 30-year career as a California divorce and family law attorney in Berkeley, where I represent clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Child Support
  Under California law, child support payments can be collected by a county agency. If child support payments are late or the parent obligated to pay support fails to pay, enforcement is generally conducted through the county offices. However, seeking child support enforcement through the official county system can be frustrating, requiring a heavy amount of paperwork. County enforcement workers are often overburdened with a heavy caseload and getting direct answers may be difficult. That is why you need an experienced family law attorney on your side.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  At the Law Office of Martin J. Elmer, Esq., I understand your legal concerns may be keeping you awake at night. I have seen how challenging it is when people are going through a family law matter like a divorce or child custody dispute. I can help you prepare for the future. Knowing what the next step to take is reassuring. I provide caring and capable legal counsel you can live with.
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
  With one-third of all first marriages and one-half of second or third marriages ending in divorce, many people consider drafting a prenuptial agreement or postmarital agreement a vital part of the marriage process. It makes sense to be proactive for your own financial well-being. An experienced attorney will draft a prenuptial agreement that will help protect you in the event of future litigation.
• Spousal Support
  Spousal support — often still referred to as alimony — is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce. How your alimony issue will play out between you and your spouse will likely affect you and your children for years to come. I am attorney Martin "Jamie" Elmer, of Berkeley, California. I will work hard to make sure your spousal support agreement is fair and fits your needs for the future.
• Legal Separation
• Child Abuse
  Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC), the Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  If you have been charged with a domestic violence or assault and battery, I have an outstanding record of success as a criminal defense attorney and will provide you with thorough and supportive legal defense every step of the way. I will work to get the charges dismissed or reduced if possible, always offering thorough and aggressive defense to protect your rights.
• DUI/DWI
  Martin "Jamie" Elmer, Esq., has been a practicing attorney in the Bay Area for nearly 30 years. His legal experience and in-depth knowledge of local courts have proven invaluable for negotiating or litigating on behalf of his clients in divorce, DWI defense, estate planning and consumer disputes.
• Assault
  I am attorney Martin "Jamie" Elmer, of Berkeley, California. I have more than 30 years of experience protecting the rights of people charged with domestic violence, particularly when in the middle of a divorce. Falsely accusing a spouse of domestic assault or child abuse is a common tactic to gain an upper hand in a custody battle during a divorce. Interviewing the victim to determine whether a secret motivation lies behind the charges requires skill and experience, particularly when a child victim is involved. I thoroughly investigate to make sure the charges have not been exaggerated or do not exceed the reality of what may have occurred during the domestic argument.
• Restraining Order
  If you are afraid that you will be hurt - by your spouse, roommate, same-sex partner or live-in partner- take steps now, before something bad happens. I can help you get the assistance you need to make it through this troubling time. If you need to get out of a marriage, if you need to get out of a dangerous situation, if you need a restraining order as you seek divorce, an experienced lawyer will help you stay safe.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  I have been practicing as a family law and estate planning lawyer for nearly 30 years in the Berkeley area. It is my goal to provide you with reliable, responsible and reasonably priced legal counsel. When you need a lawyer you can trust for your most intimate matters, please fill out our online form below or call me at (510) 644-2411.
• Wills
  From my offices in Berkeley, California, I represent clients in family law matters throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Call me at (510) 644-2411 or contact my office by e-mail to arrange a free consultation to discuss your legal issue with an experienced Berkeley will and trust lawyer.
• Trusts
  In recent years, living trusts have grown increasingly popular as substitutes for wills in estate planning. They are sometimes called revocable trusts or inter vivos trusts. Living trusts can have many advantages over wills, including avoiding the time, expense and hassle of probate or conservatorships, as well as keeping your financial affairs private, and possibly reducing taxes. Living trusts also provide for immediate, easy transfer of property upon your death. Working with me, you'll have your trust completed, in most cases, within just a couple of weeks (or sooner).
• Probate

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  I apply my skills as a former editor of the law review to craft well-written proposals for spousal support. These motions take into account such factors as community and non-community property, assets, debt, business assets, alimony buyout possibilities, ability of and marketable skills of individuals to work, age of parties, length of marriage, health of parties, tax issues, domestic violence history and adultery of either party, among other factors.