Next Legal: Your Compassionate and Expert Family Law Attorneys in California

Next Legal Introduce

Facing a family law matter can be one of the most challenging and emotionally taxing experiences of a person's life. Whether it involves divorce, child custody, or property division, these situations require not only a deep understanding of the law but also a compassionate and empathetic approach. For individuals and families throughout California, Next Legal offers a unique blend of legal expertise, ethical practice, and genuine care. The firm is dedicated to providing robust legal representation that is guided by a commitment to justice and the well-being of its clients, particularly children.

Next Legal is more than just a law firm; it is a team of dedicated professionals who understand the complexities and sensitivities of family crises. Client testimonials consistently praise the firm for its "impeccable ethics" and unwavering focus on prioritizing a child's best interests. This commitment to genuine care and exceptional results is a cornerstone of their practice. They strive to provide a positive and supportive experience, even when the legal process is difficult. The firm's attorneys and staff are known for being prompt with responses and communicating effectively to ensure that a client's needs are met quickly and professionally.

One of the most notable features of Next Legal is its approach to billing and client communication. The firm is lauded for its "transparency and upfront communication about fees," which is often a welcome relief for clients navigating a stressful legal process. This honesty is part of a larger ethos that demonstrates a genuine commitment to justice, rather than a focus on maximizing billable hours. This ethical approach builds a foundation of trust and respect, allowing clients to feel secure in their choice of representation.

The office of Next Legal is conveniently located at 2100 Geng Rd Suite 210, Palo Alto, CA 94303. This location is easily accessible for clients throughout the Bay Area. The firm’s presence in Palo Alto, a major hub in California, makes it a practical choice for those who need in-person consultations.

Accessibility is a key priority for Next Legal. The office building is equipped with several features to ensure a comfortable and convenient visit for every client. This includes a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. This thoughtful design ensures that all clients, regardless of their physical abilities, can access the legal services they require. Additionally, the office has a restroom available for client use, contributing to a welcoming environment.

For clients' convenience and to ensure dedicated time for each case, appointments are required and recommended. The firm offers flexibility with both online appointments and onsite services, catering to the varying needs and schedules of their clients. Ample free parking is available, including a free parking lot and free street parking, which removes a common point of stress for those visiting the office.

Next Legal specializes as both a divorce lawyer and a family law attorney, offering a comprehensive suite of services to help clients navigate a wide range of family-related legal issues. Their expertise covers every stage of the process, from initial agreements to post-judgment modifications.

Key services provided by Next Legal include:

Adoption Legal Services: Guiding clients through the legal process of adoption.
Child Custody and Visitation: Handling disputes, establishing rights, and litigating cases for the best interest of the child.
Child Support Litigation: Representing clients in cases involving the establishment and enforcement of child support.
Divorce: Providing representation for both contested and uncontested divorce, as well as complex and high-conflict cases.
Spousal Support & Alimony Litigation: Litigating matters related to spousal support and alimony.
Property and Debt Division Litigation: Assisting with the equitable division of assets and debts.
Paternity Establishment Litigation: Providing legal support for cases involving the establishment of paternity.
Prenups & Marital Agreements: Drafting and negotiating prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Mediation: Offering mediation services as a less adversarial alternative to litigation.
Collaborative Divorce: Providing representation for a cooperative, out-of-court divorce process.
Father's Rights: Dedicated representation for fathers in custody and visitation matters.
Guardianship Litigation: Handling legal proceedings to establish guardianship.
Military Divorce Representation: Specialized legal services for divorce cases involving military personnel.

This extensive list showcases the firm's ability to handle a broad range of family law matters with competence and sensitivity.

Next Legal is distinguished by several key features and highlights that are consistently praised by clients, setting the firm apart in the competitive California legal market.

Empathetic and Compassionate Team: Client reviews highlight the team's kindness, empathy, and ability to provide a supportive environment during difficult times.
Impeccable Ethics and Transparency: The firm is celebrated for its ethical practices and clear, upfront communication about fees, which builds trust and relieves client stress.
Powerful and Articulate Advocacy: Attorneys like Zelikha Dost are described as "powerful and articulate advocates" who build robust cases and present persuasive arguments in court.
Highly Skilled Paralegals: The firm's paralegals, such as Nastassja Gutierrez-Ekuase, are noted for their meticulous preparation and performance that "surpassed that of many attorneys."
Commitment to Children's Well-being: A core highlight is the firm's unwavering focus on prioritizing a child's best interests in every aspect of a case.
Flexible Service Options: The availability of both online and onsite services caters to modern client needs and convenience.

For legal services or to schedule an appointment, you can contact Next Legal directly.

Address: 2100 Geng Rd Suite 210, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA

Phone: (650) 384-0700

Choosing a family law attorney in California is a decision that can profoundly impact your life and the lives of your children. Next Legal is a compelling choice for several important reasons. First and foremost, the firm's unwavering commitment to ethical practice and client-first communication is a rare and valuable asset. The praise for their transparent billing practices is not just a detail; it's a testament to their integrity. In a field where costs can escalate and add to stress, knowing that your legal team is motivated by justice, not by maximizing billable hours, provides a much-needed sense of security.

Second, the firm’s combination of high-level legal skill and genuine compassion is what truly sets them apart. Client reviews speak volumes, describing attorneys who are not only powerful advocates in the courtroom but also kind, empathetic guides through a difficult process. The mention of highly competent paralegals who perform at an exceptional level shows that the firm is a cohesive and well-oiled machine, with every member dedicated to the client's success. This team-based approach ensures that your case is handled with meticulous care and attention to detail.

Finally, the firm’s comprehensive suite of services, from mediation to military divorce, means they have the versatility to handle virtually any family law matter. Whether you need a collaborative approach or a fierce litigator in a high-conflict case, Next Legal has the expertise to guide you. Their blend of professionalism, ethics, and genuine empathy makes them an ideal partner for anyone in California seeking a fresh start through a challenging family law situation.

Next Legal Services

Family Law Attorney
Adoption legal services
Providing legal assistance in the adoption process, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and that the best interests of the child are prioritized.
Child support litigation
Advocating for fair child support arrangements to ensure your child's financial needs are met, considering both the custodial parent's and the child's interests.
Contested divorce litigation
Representing your interests in contested divorce cases, ensuring your rights are upheld and striving for a favorable outcome in complex disputes.
Contract litigation
Representing your interests in contract disputes, ensuring that agreements are enforced or renegotiated to reflect fair terms.
Custody & visitation rights litigation
Fighting for fair custody and visitation rights, ensuring the best interests of your child are prioritized while protecting your parental rights.
Debt division litigation
Navigating the complexities of debt division in divorce, ensuring that liabilities are fairly divided between parties, safeguarding your financial future.
Divorce litigation
Representing your interests in all aspects of divorce litigation, ensuring your rights are protected and working towards a fair resolution in contested divorce cases.
Father's rights litigation
Championing the rights of fathers in custody, visitation, and child support matters, ensuring that your role as a parent is recognized and respected.
Guardianship litigation
Providing legal assistance in establishing or contesting guardianship, ensuring the best interests of the child or ward are prioritized in every case.
Mediation
Facilitating peaceful resolutions through mediation, helping both parties reach mutually agreeable solutions without the need for contentious court battles.
Modification of court orders
Assisting in the modification of court orders for custody, support, or visitation, ensuring that any changes reflect current circumstances.
Parent timesharing litigation
Advocating for fair parent timesharing arrangements, ensuring that both parents have meaningful involvement in their children's lives.
Paternity establishment litigation
Providing legal support in establishing paternity, ensuring that the rights and responsibilities of fatherhood are recognized and enforced.
Prenups & marital agreements writing
Drafting comprehensive prenuptial and marital agreements to protect your assets and clarify financial expectations before or during marriage.
Probate legal services
Guiding you through the probate process, ensuring that estates are administered according to the deceased's wishes and legal requirements.
Property division litigation
Ensuring fair division of property and assets in divorce, protecting your financial interests and ensuring a just settlement.
Restraining order litigation
Providing legal assistance in obtaining or contesting restraining orders, ensuring your safety and legal rights are prioritized.
Spousal support & alimony litigation
Representing your interests in spousal support and alimony cases, ensuring that any financial arrangements are fair and equitable.
Uncontested divorce legal services
Handling uncontested divorces efficiently, ensuring all legal requirements are met while minimizing stress and costs for both parties.

Divorce Lawyer
Collaborative divorce representation
Offering a collaborative approach to divorce, aiming to resolve matters amicably without court intervention, focusing on mutually beneficial outcomes.
Military divorce representation
Specializing in military divorces, addressing the unique challenges faced by service members, ensuring their rights are protected throughout the process.
Agreements Divorce
Child Custody Attorneys
Providing dedicated legal support in child custody cases, ensuring that your parental rights and your child's best interests are upheld.
Child Custody Disputes
Resolving child custody disputes with a focus on the child's well-being, ensuring that all legal avenues are explored to protect your parental rights.
Child Custody Divorce
Child Support Child Custody
Ensuring that child support and custody arrangements are fair and in the best interests of the child, providing legal representation in related disputes.
Child Support Child Support
Child Support Spousal Support
Complex Divorce
Complex Family Law
Custody And Visitation
Ensuring that custody and visitation arrangements are fair and in the best interests of the child, representing your parental rights in court.
High-Conflict Divorce
Legal Family Law
Mediation Trial
Facilitating mediation trials to resolve disputes outside of court, aiming for mutually agreeable solutions while minimizing stress and legal costs.
Property Legal
Providing legal assistance in property matters, ensuring that your rights are protected in transactions, disputes, or division of assets.
Separation Cases
Separation Repair
Assisting in repairing relationships through legal means, whether through mediation, counseling, or renegotiation of terms, focusing on reconciliation.
Spousal Support Child Custody

Next Legal Details

Service options
Online appointments
Onsite services
Language assistance

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Amenities
Restroom

Planning
Appointment required
Appointments recommended

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking

Next Legal Photos

Next Legal Location

Next Legal

California Santa Clara County Palo Alto Geng Road

2100 Geng Rd Suite 210, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA

Next Legal Reviews

An average rating of ★4 from 28 user reviews.

teamfamily lawbilldomestic violencejudgeconviction25letterargumentscriminal

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I had the pleasure of meeting and being represented by Giselle. She really went above and beyond to help my case in Family Court. She was kind and empathetic to my situation and although the outcome of my case wasn't in my favor, I would still fully recommend Next Legal as representation. They are promt with responses and the team communicates with eachother to make sure your needs are met quickly and professionally.
May 09 · Amanda Perkins
Navigating a multi-year family crisis, fraught with challenges and complexity, demanded a legal team of the highest caliber. I needed a team that was not only deeply knowledgeable in family law but also driven and guided by impeccable ethics.Thankfully, I found exactly that in Zelikha (attorney) and Nastassja (paralegal) at Next Legal. They are the embodiment of legal excellence, consistently prioritizing my child's best interests with profound sensitivity and unwavering focus on my child's well-being throughout every aspect of my case.Next Legal's billing practices were also a welcome relief. Their transparency and upfront communication about fees are the best I've seen. It was clear that Zelikha and Nastassja were motivated by a genuine commitment to justice, not by maximizing billable hours.Nastassja's prior experience in criminal law proved to be an invaluable asset. Her meticulous preparation was evident, and her performance as a paralegal surpassed that of many attorneys I encountered.In the courtroom, Zelikha was a powerful and articulate advocate. I was consistently impressed by her ability to layout a robust foundation of evidence, seamlessly incorporate relevant legal precedent, and articulate clear, concise, and logical conclusions. Her arguments were persuasive, well-reasoned, and delivered with genuine conviction.Choosing Next Legal, and specifically Zelikha Dost and Nastassja Gutierrez-Ekuase, was unequivocally the best decision I could have made. They expertly and empathetically guided me through an incredibly difficult period, always striving for the right outcome. I wholeheartedly recommend Next Legal to anyone facing a family law matter; their genuine care and exceptional results speak for themselves.
May 09 · Paul Buttery
I am very happy with the work I received from Next Legal and especially Cielo! I hired them for a specific need, which I ended up not needing to follow through. They communicated very clearly and helpfully, even though I ended up not needing their help. I hope I won’t need any legal help in the future. But if I do, I’ll call them.
May 09 · Jason Silva
Beware of Next Legal Law Firm!After posting my initial review about Next Legal, their firm manager contacted me to discuss the situation. They seemed eager to resolve things and asked if anything could be done to reverse my review. I explained the situation once again, and Nastassja offered me a $2,500 refund. I declined, stating that I had already paid all my invoices in full and what I truly needed was an apology for how I was treated.A few hours later, Nastassja scheduled a Zoom call for the next day, January 10, 2025, with Paul. During the call, I had an open conversation with both Nastassja and Paul. I made it clear to Paul that I wasn’t here to argue with him, as he’s the attorney, and I have no intention of engaging in legal debates. Despite my openness, I received no apology from Paul. Instead, he reiterated the $2,500 offer and assured me it would be mailed that same day.Frankly, this offer was insulting. I told him to keep the $2,500 and focus on improving the services at his firm.Please, choose your lawyer carefully. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Next Legal to anyone.
January 10 · SPC Pham
DON'T! DO NOT DO IT! Just wasted 12K. This firm is very unprofessional, unethical and they will treat you like an idiot for services they don't render. 1. I sent Nextlegal emails on 10/15, 10/16, 10/17, 10/29, 10/30, 11/7, & 1/29. I never got a reply for any of these emails. 2. On 10/22 I sent an email requesting statements via a motion & Nextlegal replied with: "working on drafting a 2nd set of discovery requests." I never saw those! 3.On 11/4 I sent an email for a f/u. Nextlegal replied on 11/6 with "working on a draft to request for opposing counsel for the additional documents that were missing." I was charged $22.50 for this email. I never saw this working draft!! 4. For the invoice for 10/25/2024, I was charged $735.00 for reviewing discovery responses & OP discovery responses for 2.10 hrs. Nextlegal stated they were working on drafts for 2nd set of discovery requests..I never saw those. Yet I was charged $735.005. For the invoice for 1/8/25, I was charged $315.00 for "GV-correspondences with attorney RE: Draft M&C" Who is GV? Nextlegal never called me or emailed me on 1/8/2025 to notify me that they were going to work on a M&C Letter. Yet, I was charged $315. Who did they meet & confer with? 6. I had an MSC scheduled for 2/4/25. I hadn't heard from Nextlegal since 11/6/24. I called on 1/9/25. A phone appt was scheduled for 1/10/25 to speak to my attorney Amanda. I discussed new developing events in my case concerning my safety. She stated it wasn't related to family law. Apparently, they don't handle restraining orders. The invoice for this call is recorded for 1/9/25 when in fact, the call was on 1/10/25. Nextlegal charged me $140.00 for .40 hrs. (The incoming call was19 min not 40). Again, these White Collar Piranhas embezzling money. 7. On 1/27/25 I received an email to file a statement for the MSC. On 1/30/25 I received an email to file a GSP. I replied with my asks. I guess both documents were necessary for the 2/4/25 MSC. Both were inconsistent. It wasn't my job to know that. I am not the one with the licensed JD. That is why I am paying one! I don't care whether it is a Global Settlement Proposal, a Universal one, a Galaxy one, or just straight up pulled out of one's ass! Just do your job bro! I seriously don't know what it is & what is the difference. I left it into the entrusting the firm. However!, they were fast enough to send the invoice the following week: $735.00 for the drafted MSC letter and $350.00 for the GSP letter. 8. As it was not enough ransacking from these White Collar vultures, I was charged $150.00 on 1/30/25 for "hearing prep. Draft hearing prep notes, link docs to folder, email hearing links to client." What hearing prep? What draft hearing prep notes or link docs to folder?? On 2/4/25 my attorney was not even at the MSC! The firm never notified me! Very unprofessional and just unethical! To my surprise I had a different attorney that did not know my case who could not find the prep notes. Yet, I was charged for the hearing prep. Perhaps if she pursued what I had asked in Oct & Nov, I would have one! Why wasn't I prepared me for the expectations for this hearing, advantages & disadvantages?" 9. On 2/5/25 the Firm Manager called me. As I started explaining my situation to the manager, I was interrupted. I told her that I was going to file a complaint with the State Bar. I kept telling her that I was not given any legal advice prior to the MSC conference or sub-legal specialties. The manager interrupted me by saying that it was simple, that if involved for example criminal, I would have to seek a criminal attorney. "No! Duh! Really!!" It is common sense!!! Apparently, their firm do not handle protective restraining orders and they will refer you to a criminal attorney to get one. As I tried to explain my grievance, the firm manager kept interrupting me , she became nasty, unprofessional and started yelling like a hyena demanding me to her talk. She then made the final bark by yelling that she was going to hang up on me if I wouldn't let her talk and she hung up.
February 08 · Rocio Esqueda