Ms. Renee Marcelle

30 years of practice experience in Divorce Law; 12 years of Real Property practice prior to that; Real Estate Broker 20 years. Corporate background; business valuations; division of property.

Years of trial experience, but love collaborative law and am a highly trained mediator.

Highly skilled with custody of children at once heartbreaking and often cruel. Serious trial experience with false sexual abuse allegations; true sexual abuse allegations.

Empathic, concerned, and compassionate, yet can draw boundaries because every minute I am engaged in your case; you will receive an hourly bill.

Trial lawyer Trained Child Counsel Mediator Collaborative Law Practitioner

• Child Custody

• FaceTime
• Google Meet
• Skype
• Zoom
• BlueJeans
• GoToMeeting
• WhatsApp

• Free Consultation
  Up to one-half hour no charge for in-person or by telephone. The first hour may be 1/2 the usual hourly rate when you mention the 1/2 hourly rate consultation.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Venmo (preferred) @Renee-Marcelle PayPal (renee@marinlaw.biz)

California

State Bar of California

ID Number: #135643

Since 1988

Virginia

Virginia State Bar

1983-1987

Seattle University School of Law

J.D. (1982)

1980 - 1982

University of Washington

B.A. (1979) | Law and Justice

1975 - 1979

Honors: Cume Laude

Marin County Bar Association

former board member

Current

Community School Bond Oversight Committee (COC)

Chair

2016 - Current

Activities: 30M Refurbish Elementary & Kentfield Middle Schools

Marin County Women Lawyers

Member

1989 - Current

Q. Is contesting my divorce out of the question if I don’t have a lawyer?

March 30, 2022

A: One may contest a divorce with or without a lawyer. In California of course, it is a "no-fault" divorce state. Thus if one party seeks a divorce, the divorce will be inevitable, unless your partner changes their mind.

The disposition of assets and custody arrangements can be negotiated or if unable to agree, you may file a Request for Order for the judge to decide with or without counsel.

Upwards of 80% of divorcing parties do not use the assistance of counsel to solve their differences.

I believe all 88 CA counties have a no-cost self-help center at the courthouse. There one can make an appointment and gain assistance with and access to all of the judicial council forms necessary to go through the process. Some counties even have no cost mediation available. If your case involves contested custody cases, there is a Family Court Services branch of the court's family law department that assists parties in coming to agreements.

Because knowledge is power, I minimally recommend going to an experienced and recommended family law attorney for a consultation concerning the facts of your case. Many people leave money on the table or make choices they later regret. Seeking advice along your path of self-help is highly recommended. ... Read More

Q. If I file for divorce and my husband take 3 months to respond does that affect the 6 month waxing period

February 16, 2022

A: The 6 month and 1 day rule commences from SERVICE of the Petition for dissolution upon your husband. That establishes the first possible date for termination of the status of marriage. However since he responded to the petition it may take longer than that to finalize the issues in your case.

Q. Can I terminate my child’s father’s parental rights without having someone to adopt her (stepfather adoption)?

June 17, 2021

A: Mom, on the facts stated you have mentioned the 2 criteria for the termination of Parental rights. Lack of contact with the child and lack of any support.

A person willing to step into the shoes of bio dad is totally unnecessary.

The in and out of jail fact may mitigate against a termination of rights, but I would need to know more of the case facts to weigh in.

In re Marriage of Regnery (1989)

California Courts of Appeal