Linda States - Part 2

About Linda States

Highest Caliber Experience After a decade working for a large firm on the most sophisticated family law cases throughout Northern California and additional years with the court and private practice, I have the depth of knowledge and experience necessary to expertly handle any family law issue that may arise for my clients. Now I am able to complement my expertise in complex matters with the flexibility to provide more efficient and accessible services in my solo practice. A Unique Solo Practice My style of family law practice is unique, as I am… Efficient – I focus on solutions that save time and money. Effective – I am equally adept at negotiation and litigation. Communicative – I listen carefully and stay in close touch. Flexible – I am budget-conscious, and offer full, limited or consultation services. Collaborative – I work to reduce conflict and enhance the environment for settlement. Compassionate – I have real life experience as a divorced single parent of minor children. Savvy – I know business and finance, and how to solve crises relating to them during divorce. Accessible – I am usually reachable 24/7/365 by mobile phone, and offer evening appointments. Financial Issue Focus For about 20 years, 100% of my practice has been devoted to solving personal and business issues arising in divorce, legal separation and custody/parentage matters, as well as prenuptial, cohabitation and joint asset separation planning. Skilled at solving the most complex financial issues, I bring essential expertise to substantial asset matters, that can be instrumental in efficiently resolving smaller scale matters as well. Frequently arising issues in my practice include: Complex community property division Establishing or modifying child and/or spousal support (or arrears) Business valuation and income-available determination Underemployment, vocational evaluation and income imputation Community and separate property characterization and separate property tracing Marital retirement benefits and domestic relations orders/QDROs Family business management disputes relating to divorce Establishing and modifying child custody and parenting time/visitation Custody mediation and/or evaluation with county or private CCRCs Move-away and other custody litigation Custom prenuptial/premarital, postnuptial/post marital and cohabitation agreements Areas of Practice Family Law (100%) Bar Admission State Bar of California, 1994 Certified Family Law Specialist (State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization), 2019 Education University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California J.D. – 1994 UCLA B.A. – 1989 Major: Philosophy/Business Awards Top Lawyers (Family Law), Sacramento Magazine – 2015, 2016, 2017, & 2018 Professional Associations and Memberships Sacramento County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2005-Present Family Law Executive Committee Mentorship Program Placer County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2016, 2016-2021 California Lawyers Association Kennedy Inn of Court, 2017-2019 Rotary Club of Sacramento, 2016-2017 Past Employment Positions Family Law Attorney – Downey Brand LLP, 2005-2015 Assistant Family Law Facilitator/Research Attorney – Sacramento Co. Superior Court, 1998-2000 Principal/Owner – Family Law Office of Linda D. States, 1995-1998 Volunteering/Pro Bono Activities Settlement Conference Temporary Judge, 2022-present One-Day Divorce Clinic Attorney Volunteer, 2020-present WEAVE pro bono attorney, 2016 VLSP Lawyers in the Library legal clinic volunteer, 2015 Habitat for Humanity volunteer, 2016 Court Appointed Special Advocates Board member and officer, 2014-2016 McClatchy High School Law & Public Policy Academy mentor, 2014-2015

22 05, 2018

Negotiating children’s college educations during divorce

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00May 22nd, 2018|Divorce in CA|0 Comments

Concerns of California parents about paying for their children’s college education may grow if they get a divorce. Amid worries about child and spousal support, college savings might slip down the priority list, but with colleges costing an average of more than $20,000 per year for a state school and over twice that for a private school, it is likely that help will be needed.Both children and parents might need to revise their plans. For example, a child may want to consider attending a state [...]

9 05, 2018

Wealthy children and prenuptial agreements

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00May 9th, 2018|prenuptial agreements|0 Comments

California residents who have substantial wealth may be concerned about what would happen to that wealth if their children get married and then divorced. The completion of a prenuptial agreement before a marriage can protect financial assets that are intended to remain in the family. When approaching this subject with their adult children, parents should be aware that their children will be required to make a full disclosure of all the assets they own. In some cases, this may be the first time that the [...]

23 04, 2018

How to financially plan for a divorce

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00April 23rd, 2018|Divorce in CA|0 Comments

Taking steps to prepare financially for divorce even before it is underway may help some people in California through the process. For people who do not have an income or manage the family finances, some steps may be critical such as applying for an individual line of credit. This is something a person who has always shared joint accounts with a spouse may want to do before leaving the marriage.People might also want to gather all financial documents and make copies of them. Later, if [...]

11 04, 2018

Child custody can be an abuser’s weapon

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00April 11th, 2018|Divorce in CA|0 Comments

When survivors of domestic abuse in California make the decision to divorce, child custody can be a particular concern. Because child custody rulings can essentially mandate ongoing communication between parents, it can also provide an opportunity for abusers to continue manipulative and violent behavior against their family members. Some experts have indicated that many domestic abusers attempt to seek control of the situation by seeking child custody. These experts use the term “coercive control,” which can include tactics such as emotional abuse, abuse of the [...]

4 04, 2018

Millennials considering prenups: what to include, leave out

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00April 4th, 2018|prenuptial agreements|0 Comments

If you are a millennial and getting married, chances are you approach the event very differently than your parents did. You may be more inclined to have a non-traditional registry, for example, or opt for digital RSVPs instead of paper. You could also be more likely to have a prenuptial agreement, according to recent statistics. If you are considering this as an option, then you should know what you likely can and cannot protect with a valid prenup. […]

27 03, 2018

An overveiw of how to divide child custody

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00March 27th, 2018|child custody|0 Comments

In child custody cases, it is not uncommon for a court to create a visitation schedule. This enables a parent in California or elsewhere to have a relationship with their children whether he or she is granted custody or not. As a general rule, parents are allowed to have a role in a son or daughter’s life assuming that they are fit to do so.A visitation schedule may still be created in the event that parents have joint custody over their kids. This can reduce [...]

13 03, 2018

Dividing 401(k) funds properly during a divorce

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00March 13th, 2018|Divorce in CA|0 Comments

There are multiple mistakes that California residents can make when dividing their 401(k) assets during a divorce. Unfortunately, oversights can result in high tax bills, excessive penalties and an unfair division of funds. To avoid making such mistakes, it is important that spouses are aware that the various types of retirement accounts are governed by different rules. Workplace retirement plans, which include conventional pensions and 401(k) accounts, can only be divided through qualified domestic relations orders. Without a QDRO, an ex-spouse would not be able [...]

28 02, 2018

Legal and physical custody: What’s the difference?

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00February 28th, 2018|child custody|0 Comments

For parents who are beginning the divorce process, the question of child custody weighs heavily on their minds. Is a joint solution the best, or is it better for one parent to have sole custody while the other has visitation rights? To start, it’s important to remember there are two types of child custody parents will need to consider: legal custody and physical custody. […]

14 02, 2017

Roseville Divorce Lawyer

By Linda States|2026-06-18T18:48:46-07:00February 14th, 2017|Roseville CA|0 Comments

Linda States, Roseville Divorce Lawyer, has nearly two decades of experience in family law. While working for a major Sacramento firm, I often represented high net worth individuals in complex financial and custody matters as well as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Now in my own practice, I put that experience to work for all my clients. Whether your Roseville Divorce is legally and factually complex or simple and straightforward, I have the skills and experience your case requires. But being an effective Roseville Divorce Lawyer [...]

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