Lani Baron, Esq.
California Family Law Attorney
Licensed California attorney focusing exclusively on premarital agreement, postmarital agreement, and stipulated judgment drafting and review.
Licensed California attorney focusing exclusively on premarital agreement, postmarital agreement, and stipulated judgment drafting and review.
I am an attorney, mediator, and law professor dedicated to helping individuals and families make thoughtful, informed legal decisions outside of the courtroom. Over the past 15 years, I have conducted nearly 3,000 family law mediations and drafted hundreds of premarital and postmarital agreements, giving me a deep understanding of how legal choices made today shape financial and family outcomes for decades to come.
As the founder of one of California’s leading divorce mediation firms, I developed a structured process that achieved a 97 percent settlement rate across thousands of cases. Through this work, I gained unique insight into what helps couples preserve clarity, dignity, and financial stability, whether they are preparing for marriage, strengthening an existing marriage, or navigating a separation with intention and respect.
After many years working directly with couples in the midst of divorce, I recognized both the emotional toll of that work and the profound value of early legal planning. I ultimately sold my mediation practice to focus exclusively on the preventative side of family law, helping couples thoughtfully structure agreements that reduce uncertainty, minimize conflict, and provide clarity long before challenges arise.
My practice focuses exclusively on drafting and reviewing premarital agreements, postmarital agreements, and stipulated judgments. I believe couples are best positioned to make decisions for themselves when they are provided with clear legal guidance and the ability to understand how those decisions may play out over time. Through careful drafting and meaningful discussion, I help clients explore options, anticipate future considerations, and create agreements that are balanced, durable, and aligned with their long-term goals.
Because these decisions often intersect with financial, tax, and estate planning considerations, I collaborate with a trusted network of professionals cultivated over 15 years, including accountants, estate planning attorneys, wealth managers, Certified Divorce Financial Analysts, and therapists who support individuals and families through important transitions.
My approach is grounded in the belief that thoughtful planning can prevent unnecessary conflict and create a strong foundation for the future. Whether preparing for marriage, strengthening an existing agreement, or formalizing the terms of a separation, my goal is to provide clients with the clarity and foresight needed to make confident, well-informed decisions.
Education
Whittier Law School
Magna Cum Laude
Training
Pepperdine Straus
Institute
Recognition
Top 100 Attorney
Orange County
Honors
Attorney of
Distinction
Featured In
Riviera Magazine
Dynamic Women
Comprehensive legal services for premarital agreements, postmarital agreements, and marital settlement agreements under California law.
Precise drafting and independent review of California prenuptial agreements, ensuring compliance with the Family Code and protection for my clients.
Drafting and review of marital settlement agreements and stipulated judgments that accurately reflect settlement terms and satisfy court requirements.
Drafting and independent review of postmarital agreements for couples seeking to formalize financial arrangements during their marriage.
Click any service below to learn more about how an experienced California attorney protects your interests.
A California Premarital Agreement (often called a “prenup”) is a legally binding contract between two people who are planning to marry. The agreement usually determines important financial issues such as how assets, debts, income, and financial responsibilities will be handled during marriage and in the event of divorce or death.
Because California is a community property state with strict statutory requirements governing premarital agreements, these documents must be drafted with precision to ensure they are enforceable. This is why working with an experienced, licensed California attorney is critical.
California law requires specific disclosures, procedural safeguards, and language to protect both parties’ rights. Mistakes in the preparation of the agreement, such as inadequate financial disclosure, improper timing, or unclear provisions, can render an agreement partially or completely invalid. This can mean that a couple spends countless hours and thousands of dollars on an agreement that is nothing more than a piece of paper.
Conversely, an experienced attorney understands the nuances of California family law, ensures the agreement complies with the California Family Code, and drafts provisions that accurately reflect the parties’ intentions while standing up to legal scrutiny.
A thoughtfully prepared premarital agreement is not about anticipating failure of your marriage. Instead, it is about clarity, transparency, and protection. When drafted properly, it allows couples to enter marriage with a shared understanding of their financial future and with confidence that their interests are protected. This can help strengthen your relationship through clear communication and preparation.
When one party’s attorney drafts a premarital agreement, it is essential that the other party have the agreement reviewed by their own licensed California attorney before signing.
Under California Family Code §1615(c), a premarital agreement that modifies or waives spousal support is not enforceable unless the party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time the agreement was signed. Even when spousal support is not addressed, independent legal review is strongly recommended to ensure the agreement was entered into voluntarily and with full understanding of its terms.
An experienced California attorney reviewing the agreement will ensure that you received full and fair financial disclosure, that the provisions comply with California law, and that your rights and interests are adequately protected. They can explain the long-term legal and financial implications of the agreement, identify provisions that may be unfair or unenforceable, and negotiate revisions when appropriate.
Premarital agreements can have lasting consequences for property rights, income, inheritance, and support. Having your own attorney review the document ensures that you are making an informed decision and that the agreement meets the legal requirements necessary to be upheld under California’s Uniform Premarital Agreement Act.
When spouses reach a settlement outside of court, either by negotiating directly with one another or with the assistance of a mediator, it is essential that the terms of that agreement be properly drafted into a legally enforceable marital settlement agreement and stipulated judgment.
In California, the language used in these documents determines how the court will interpret and enforce the parties’ rights and obligations for years to come. While mediation and informal negotiation can be effective ways to reach agreement, mediators who are not licensed attorneys cannot provide legal advice or draft documents with the same level of legal protection required for a court judgment.
An experienced, licensed California attorney can translate the parties’ agreements into clear, enforceable legal language that complies with the California Family Code and applicable court procedures.
Proper drafting is critical because these documents often address complex issues such as division of community and separate property, allocation of debts, spousal support, custody arrangements, and future enforcement rights. Errors, omissions, or ambiguous language can lead to costly disputes or unintended consequences long after the judgment is entered.
Working with an experienced attorney ensures that the agreement accurately reflects the parties’ intentions, satisfies California legal requirements, and can be confidently submitted to the court as a final and enforceable judgment.
What I provide:
• Preparation of a thorough agreement that addresses the legal issues involved in your case with an eye toward the future consequences of the agreement
Even when spouses have successfully reached agreement, whether through mediation or through their own discussions, it is strongly recommended that each party have independent legal counsel review the marital settlement agreement or stipulated judgment before signing. Once these documents are signed and entered by the court, they become a binding court order, and modifying them later can be difficult, expensive, and in some cases impossible.
An experienced, licensed California family law attorney can review the agreement to ensure that it accurately reflects the parties’ intentions and that the terms comply with the California Family Code and applicable court procedures. Independent counsel can also identify potential issues that may not be immediately obvious, such as unintended tax consequences, unclear property characterization, waiver of important rights, or provisions that may be difficult to enforce.
Importantly, mediators, particularly those who are not licensed attorneys, are neutral facilitators and cannot provide legal advice to either party. Independent legal review ensures that each spouse fully understands the legal and financial consequences of the agreement before it becomes a final judgment.
Having separate counsel review the agreement helps protect both parties, promotes fairness and transparency, and significantly reduces the likelihood of disputes or challenges after the judgment has been entered.
What I provide:
• Review to ensure that your agreement complies with the current state of CA Law and serves your best interests
A California Postmarital Agreement (sometimes called a “postnup”) is a legally binding contract between two people who are already married. Like its premarital counterpart, the agreement typically addresses important financial issues such as how assets, debts, income, and financial responsibilities will be handled during the marriage and in the event of divorce or death.
Because California is a community property state with strict fiduciary duty requirements between spouses, postmarital agreements must be drafted with even greater precision than premarital agreements to ensure they are enforceable. This is why working with an experienced, licensed California attorney is critical.
California law imposes heightened disclosure obligations and fiduciary duties between spouses that do not exist between unmarried parties. Mistakes in the preparation of the agreement, such as inadequate financial disclosure, failure to address fiduciary obligations, or unclear provisions, can render an agreement partially or completely invalid.
An experienced attorney understands the nuances of California family law as it applies to married couples, ensures the agreement complies with the California Family Code, and drafts provisions that accurately reflect the parties’ intentions while standing up to legal scrutiny.
A thoughtfully prepared postmarital agreement is about clarity, transparency, and protection for both spouses. When drafted properly, it allows couples to address financial concerns within their marriage with a shared understanding and with confidence that their interests are protected.
When one spouse’s attorney drafts a postmarital agreement, it is essential that the other spouse have the agreement reviewed by their own licensed California attorney before signing.
Because spouses owe each other fiduciary duties under California law, including duties of full disclosure and fair dealing, postmarital agreements are subject to heightened judicial scrutiny compared to premarital agreements. Independent legal review is strongly recommended to ensure the agreement was entered into voluntarily, with full understanding of its terms, and in compliance with the fiduciary obligations that exist between married parties.
An experienced California attorney reviewing the agreement will ensure that you received full and fair financial disclosure, that the provisions comply with California law, and that your rights and interests are adequately protected. They can explain the long-term legal and financial implications of the agreement, identify provisions that may be unfair or unenforceable, and negotiate revisions when appropriate.
Postmarital agreements can have lasting consequences for property rights, income, inheritance, and support. Having your own attorney review the document ensures that you are making an informed decision and that the agreement meets the legal requirements necessary to withstand potential future challenges.
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Whether you’re an attorney seeking a reliable review partner or a client wanting clarity on your agreement, I’m here to help.