Joseph Castagno | San Clemente Divorce Lawyer

I prevented a litigant from moving a young child to Texas from California. I succeeded in overturning a Child Custody Evaluation which would have removed a child from my client's custody. I was able to preserve more than $750.000.00 in assets which were then awarded to my client.

I built a successful practice one case at a time. Each client is unique with a unique set of circumstances, expectations and pre-conceptions. This requires a customized plan for their case and can not be squeezed into a template or mold.

A client should look for several things in an attorney: Competency, integrity, compassion, personality, experience and economics.

Local knowledge is very important. I do not accept any cases outside of Orange County as many judges will "hometown" visiting attorneys. This makes me part of my client's problem instead of the solution. Also, having practiced for more than 35 years, my reputation with the local bar, judicial officers and court staff is invaluable.

I can usually answer a few questions that are crucial to a client's concerns. I often spend 10-15 minutes on the phone with a client. I am sometimes able to estimate support and assess how realistic a potential client's expectations are.

Information I typically need in a free phone consultation includes the following: Length of marriage, number of children, respective incomes of the parties, does a pre-nuptial agreement exist, are there domestic violence issues, who has been the primary caretaker of children, how urgent is the client's needs.

What differentiates me from other attorneys in my community is my personal attention to my clients' needs (often contacting them from vacations), the size of my practice (25-30 active clients), my responsiveness to clients, my hourly rate (much lower than my colleagues with 35 years of experience).

The most rewarding aspects of my job include ending with a happy client, making a difference in the quality of life of my clients being a good and faithful servant to my clients.

In addition to practicing law, I love to travel, play tennis and spend time with my wife of 32 years early mornings at Starbucks and watching my grandson play soccer.

I am less involved now. However, over the years, I have been active in "Laura's House", AYSO, Laguna Niguel Little League, Y-Indian Guides, Monarch Beach/Sunrise Rotary International Club, Mission Lutheran Church, the San Clemente Community Resource Center, San Clemente Domestic Violence Task Force and the South Orange County Bar Association where I had served as an Officer and on the Board of Directors.

• California State Bar Association | Member
  South Orange County Bar Association | Member

• Amjur Award- Taxation | Amjur | 1982
  Amjur- Civil Procedure | Amjur | 1981

• Monthly meeting of South Orange County Bar Association | Crossover Pitfalls to Avoid in Domestic Violence Cases | 2003

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