The F.M. Zavala Law Firm, Inc.
Law Firm in Santa Clarita, CA

Areas Served
- Santa Clarita Valencia Rancho Santa Clarita Burbank Glendale Atwater Village Los Feliz Sun Valley North Hollywood Studio City Valley Village Sherman Oaks
Business Details
- Licensed and insured
- Year established: 1996
Highlights & Specialties
- Family Law
- Goal Oriented Divorce Solutions
- File for Divorce
- Legal Separation
- Community Asset Division
- Separate Asset Protection
- Child Support
- Spousal Support
- Alimony
- Sole Legal Child Custody
- Joint Legal Child Custody
- Joint Physical Child Custody
- Sole Physical Child Custody
- Domestic Violence Protection Orders
- Domestic Violence Defense
- DCFS Child Custody Attorney
Professional Associations & Certifications
- UCLA School of Law - Class of 1996
- UCLA Undergraduate School - Class of 1993
- Harvard School of Law, Boston - 2003
- Hastings College of the Law, College of Advocacy, San Francisco - 2000
- Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section
- Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association
- American Bar Association Family Law Section
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- California State Bar
- Oregon State Bar
- California Supreme Courts
- Oregon Supreme Courts
- United States District Court-Central District
Social Profiles
Contact Details
Products & Services
Divorce Lawyer
read moreOur divorce attorneys and legal team assist clients in terminating marriages, dissolving domestic partnerships, and establishing parenting plans for child custody and visitation. We handle matters such as child support, alimony, division of assets, and cases involving child abuse and domestic violence.
Child Custody
read moreWe assist our clients in navigating the intricate legal matters related to child custody, such as visitation rights, child support, and custody modifications.
Alimony and Spousal Support
read moreOur lawyers assist individuals dealing with alimony and spousal support matters, offering expertise in negotiating and adjusting support arrangements.
Paternity Issues
read moreWe help clients navigate paternity disputes, from establishing paternity to contesting it and addressing child support.
Property Division
read moreWe assist our clients in navigating the intricate legal matters concerning property division, such as asset valuation, debt allocation, and fair distribution.
Reviews Write a Review
Gary Zamieroski
May 18, 2024
Attorney Zavala provided me with studied and rational counsel during a very tumultuous case. He was easily accessible, accommodating, and was a voice of reason. He is more than attorney, he was also a friend in my corner.
Carlos Flores
Nov 18, 2023
I recently hired attorney Francisco M Zavala to represent me in my contested divorce and custody case in Chatsworth Court. My wife assaulted me in front of our children. I hired attorney Zavala to request a domestic violence restraining order. I was concerned that the courts would not believe me, as a male, could be the victim of domestic violence. However, attorney Zavala did an incredible job.
He subpoenaed arrest reports, 911 call recordings, and even had the officer who responded to the initial call testify in court My wife hired a lawyer who tried portraying me as the abuser. However, attorney Zavala did such an amazing job during his direct examination and presentation of our evidence that the judge did not believe anything my wife testified to.
Attorney Zavala destroyed the credibility of my wife in his closing argument. In the end, the judge saw that my wife was the abuser, and granted my request for a domestic violence, restraining order with sole legal custody and sole physical custody to me. I am willing to work things out with my wife and allow her visitation. However, I also believe that a victim of domestic violence should not have to tolerate physical abuse, and I hope that one day soon to be ex-wife can get better through counseling. I highly recommend Attorney Zavala.
He subpoenaed arrest reports, 911 call recordings, and even had the officer who responded to the initial call testify in court My wife hired a lawyer who tried portraying me as the abuser. However, attorney Zavala did such an amazing job during his direct examination and presentation of our evidence that the judge did not believe anything my wife testified to.
Attorney Zavala destroyed the credibility of my wife in his closing argument. In the end, the judge saw that my wife was the abuser, and granted my request for a domestic violence, restraining order with sole legal custody and sole physical custody to me. I am willing to work things out with my wife and allow her visitation. However, I also believe that a victim of domestic violence should not have to tolerate physical abuse, and I hope that one day soon to be ex-wife can get better through counseling. I highly recommend Attorney Zavala.
Victor Hernandez
Feb 13, 2023
Attorney Zavala came through when I needed him the most. My ex falsely accused me of domestic violence. My ex and I were never married but we have a 3-year-old daughter that I love with all my heart. When I decided to end our relationship, my ex threw my cell phone to the ground, shattering it. She then became violent and came after me trying to punch me.
I locked myself in our bathroom so she would not hit me. After kicking the door for several minutes, she finally stopped and left. After my ex left our home, I packed some of my belongings and went to stay with a friend. A few hours later an L.A. County sheriff deputy called my cell phone and informed me he needed to speak with me in person. After I met with him at the sheriff station, he handcuffed me and arrested me for domestic violence.
I knew not to answer any questions so I sat in jail for two days. The prosecutor declined to file charges so I was released. However, upon being released, I was served with a request for a domestic violence restraining order that my ex had filed in Chatsworth court. My ex was given temporary full custody of our daughter based on her false accusations that I choked her.
I was ordered to move out of our family home and I was not allowed to see our daughter. I was so shocked that this was happening, I was scared and broken. I found attorney Zavala. Attorney Zavala brought witnesses to court, presented text messages as evidence and cross examined my ex so well that at one point the Judge looked at my ex in disbelief of her testimony.
Attorney Zavala is an expert at cross examination, without his trial skills, my ex would have gotten away with her lies and I would have lost custody of our daughter and would have a permanent domestic violence restraining order on my record. After a lengthy hearing, the Judge denied my ex's request for a permanent domestic violence restraining order and returned our daughter to me. The Judge did not...
I locked myself in our bathroom so she would not hit me. After kicking the door for several minutes, she finally stopped and left. After my ex left our home, I packed some of my belongings and went to stay with a friend. A few hours later an L.A. County sheriff deputy called my cell phone and informed me he needed to speak with me in person. After I met with him at the sheriff station, he handcuffed me and arrested me for domestic violence.
I knew not to answer any questions so I sat in jail for two days. The prosecutor declined to file charges so I was released. However, upon being released, I was served with a request for a domestic violence restraining order that my ex had filed in Chatsworth court. My ex was given temporary full custody of our daughter based on her false accusations that I choked her.
I was ordered to move out of our family home and I was not allowed to see our daughter. I was so shocked that this was happening, I was scared and broken. I found attorney Zavala. Attorney Zavala brought witnesses to court, presented text messages as evidence and cross examined my ex so well that at one point the Judge looked at my ex in disbelief of her testimony.
Attorney Zavala is an expert at cross examination, without his trial skills, my ex would have gotten away with her lies and I would have lost custody of our daughter and would have a permanent domestic violence restraining order on my record. After a lengthy hearing, the Judge denied my ex's request for a permanent domestic violence restraining order and returned our daughter to me. The Judge did not...