We believe in helping people help themselves. Having a legal case is very difficult and we help you make informed decisions about your case by helping you to understand the law and the legal process. We explain your options so that you can decide what is the best way to proceed in your particular situation.
We provide a free one-half hour consultation to help you make important legal decisions. We provide the full range of legal services from aggressive litigation, to mediation, to document preparation, and coaching. Let us help you decide what is best for you!
We are also very well experienced in dealing with difficult people. We can help you create good boundaries to make dealing with a difficult person easier.
Debra has undergone a divorce and understands the challenges faced by a person being divorced. This has helped her gain a deeper understanding of what you are going though. She has remarried and continues to co-parent and work with her former husband.
She is also facing the extreme challenge of a difficult person who has been harassing her for over 10 years. Debra obtained a 3-year Civil Harassment Restraining Order against this woman. This Civil Harassment Restraining Order was renewed for an additional 5 years in December 2016. This person has now launched an online attack against Debra. Debra has had this person held in Contempt of court for 15 restraining order violations. Debra knows first hand what it is like to have your life exposed to the public in a case and she can help you through your case. Debra understands how to create boundaries and deal with difficult people. Her thirty-four (34) years of legal experience in family law have led her to a great understanding and awareness of what you are facing in your legal issues.
She can help with your situation!
Contact us today!
Learn More about Debra.
www.DebraCrawfordAnnis.com
www.CalDivorce123.com
https://www.facebook.com/Monterey.Mediation?ref=hl
Practice areas
Child Custody is often the most difficult part of a family law case. Debra has 34 years of experience handling child custody cases, including mediation of child custody cases. She is able to help you through this part of your case.
37 years
Debra is a trained mediator and provides mediation services in the area of family law, including divorce, custody, support, and property division. She also provides mediation services in other areas of law. She works well with high conflict couples and helps them direct their focus on positive growth.
32 years
Alimony or Spousal Support is a difficult issue for many people, both the supporting spouse -- and the supported spouse. Debra is well versed in Spousal Support and provides mediation of this difficult issue.
37 years
Debra is very experienced in Restraining Orders. She has had to obtain one and is a protected party on another She knows what it's like to have your life exposed in Court.
37 years
Debra is a Certified Family Law Specialist (Certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization). She has been practicing family law for 30 years and has vast experience in many situations. She can help you choose what approach to take with your case -- litigation or mediation or a combination -- depending on your circumstances including the conflict level of the parties.
37 years
Languages spoken
English
Law & Mediation Offices
3785 Via Nona Marie
Suite 108-1008
Carmel, CA, 93923
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1984 | 02/07/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Lawyer of Distinction | Lawyers of Distinction | 2021 |
America's Most Honored Professionals | American Registry | 2019 |
10 Best Female Attorneys | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2019 |
Top 10 Attorney | Attorney and Practice Magazine | 2019 |
CoParenting Coordinator | Monterey Superior Court | 2019 |
AV Preeminent Rated - Judicial Edition | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
Certified Specialist - Family Law | State Bar of California | 2019 |
Superb Rating 10/10 | Avvo | 2019 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
Suberb Rating 10/10 | Avvo | 2018 |
Suberb Rating 10/10 | Avvo | 2018 |
Superb Rating 10/10 | Avvo | 2017 |
Superb Rating 10/10 | Avvo | 2016 |
Superb Rating 10 | Avvo | 2015 |
Top Contributor | Avvo | 2015 |
Client's Choice | Avvo | 2015 |
Client's Choice | Avvo | 2014 |
Top Contributor | Avvo | 2014 |
Peer Review Rated Attorney | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Certified Specialist - Family Law Twenty Year Award | State Bar of California | 2013 |
Judge Pro Tem Certificate | Monterey Superior Court | 2009 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2005 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2004 |
Outstanding Achievement | Mayor Tom Bradley, City of Los Angles | 1989 |
Cum Laude Honors | Southwestern University School of Law | 1983 |
Book Award - Criminal Procedure | American Jurisprudence | 1981 |
Outstanding Achievement | Women's Legal Clinic | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Debra Vaniman Crawford Law & Mediation Offices | 2010 - Present |
Managing Partner | Crawford & Crawford | 1991 - 2021 |
Attorney | Law Offices of Debra D. Vaniman | 1985 - 1991 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Member | 2022 - Present |
Beverly Hills Bar Association | Member | 2022 - Present |
California Board of Real Estate | Real Estate Broker | 2019 - Present |
California Lawyers Association | Member | 2019 - Present |
Monterey County Bar Association, Family Law Section | Member | 2019 - Present |
Association of Certified Family Law Specialists | Member | 2019 - Present |
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts | Member | 2019 - Present |
UCLA Alumni Association | Member | 2019 - Present |
Carmel Valley Women's Club Foundation | Board of Directors | 2015 - Present |
Monterey County Bar Association | Member | 2001 - Present |
State Bar of California, Family Law Section | Member | 1985 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1985 - Present |
Phi Alpha Delta | Alumni Member | 1983 - Present |
Monterey State Historic Park Association | Board of Directors | 2011 - 2013 |
Carmel Valley Ranchers' Days | President | 2008 - 2009 |
Cachagua Community Park | Board Member | 2005 - 2007 |
Cachauga Property Owners Associaton | President | 2005 - 2005 |
Cachagua Fire Wives | Board Member | 2004 - 2007 |
Cachagua Area Property Owners Association | Board Member | 2001 - 2007 |
Carmel Valley Ranchers' Days | Board of Directors | 2001 - 2009 |
Women's Legal Clinic | President | 1991 - 1991 |
Women's Legal Clinic | Board Member | 1987 - 1991 |
Women's Legal Clinic | Volunteer Attorney | 1985 - 1991 |
Phi Alpha Delta | Justice (President) | 1982 - 1983 |
Phi Alpha Delta | Convention Delegate | 1982 - 1982 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Ten Easy Ways to Make Your Divorce Miserable (or How to Make a Bad Experience Even Worse) | 2019 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | I Have Become a Hashtag! | 2017 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Divorce Mediation or Divorce Litigation - Part Two | 2017 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Our Free Consultations | 2017 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Divorce Mediation or Divorce Litigation - Part One | 2017 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 2016 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | First Amendment Protections | 2016 |
Crawford and Crawford | Living Will vs. Living Truat | 2014 |
Crawford and Crawford | I'm Going to Get a Restraining Order! | 2013 |
Crawford and Crawford | Living Trust? | 2013 |
Crawford and Crawford | Does Common Law Marriage Exist in California? | 2013 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Divorcing a High Conflict Personality | 2013 |
Debra Vaniman Crawford | Divorce Mediation Guidelines | 2012 |
Cal Divorce 123 | Cal Divorce 123 | 2011 |
Carmel Valley Country | Reflections on Motherhood | 2006 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Holding Title | 2002 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Restraining Orders | 2002 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Advanced Health Care Directive | 2001 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | Storytime Extra Ordinaire | 2001 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Strict Liability | 2001 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Is Marriage Just a Piece of Paper? | 2001 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Adult Child Support | 2001 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Elder Abuse | 2001 |
Carmel Valley Newsletter | The Civil Lawyer - Living Trusts | 2001 |
DIY Book | Divorce 123 | 2000 |
Client's Guide to the DissoMaster | Client's Guide to the DissoMaster | 1987 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Southwestern Law School | JD - Juris Doctor - Cum Laude | 1983 |
University of California - Los Angeles | BA - Bachelor of Arts - Economics | 1980 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
State Bar of California | Collaborative Divorce | 1999 |
Adoption Alliance | Special Needs Adoptions | 1999 |
CoParenting Workshop | Move Away Cases | 1997 |
Family Law Presentation | Divorce Trials | 1989 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Zenide v. Superior Court - Appellate Case | |
Hudis v. Crawford - Appellate Case | Dismissal upheld. |
Pukini v. Superior Court - Appellate Case | Upheld on appeal. |
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November 29, 2020
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November 6, 2018
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May 3, 2017
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March 31, 2016
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October 13, 2015
Michael Doland, Family Attorney on Oct 31, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Debra Crawford for more years than is polite to say. She is a 10.0 attorney in my estimation with huge family law experience and knowledge and takes a personal interest in each and every client. She is a must-interview for any prospective client seeking the finest, cost-effective representation in either family law or mediation.
Daniel Williams, Family Attorney on Jun 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Debra on several cases and she is a knowledgeable, well disciplined and ethical attorney. Often times when my office files paperwork and serves the other side, clients always ask what happens if the other side gets an attorney. My answer is that with an attorney on the other side, it helps the case management flow more efficiently. However, there are some attorneys that if hired actually make the resolution more difficult. Debra is an attorney whom my office is always happy to have representing the other side because we know that she is ethical and honest and will ensure that neither client has to spend any unnecessary fees nor spend any unnecessary time on resolving issues. She is a good attorney a pleasure to work with.
Shawn Alexander, Family Attorney on Jun 25, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.I highly recommend M.s Crawford. She is a dedicated and knowledgeable attorney who is ready to defend to her client's best interest.
Rahul Aggarwal, Unknown Attorney on Mar 6, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services.
John Fisher, Family Attorney on Jul 4, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Intelligent and compassionate with superior communication skills.
Paul Eads, Unknown Attorney on Jun 30, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jonathan Lacour, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 27, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Quality representation and exceptional attentiveness to clients.
Scott Kosner, Family Attorney on Apr 17, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Rachel Laborde, Family Attorney on Feb 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I highly recommend Atty. Crawford. She is a fierce and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated to her client's best interest.
Fernando Bernheim, Family Attorney on Feb 2, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jill Rogers, Unknown Attorney on Jan 29, 2015
Relationship: Other
This attorney has great determination and drive. I endorse this lawyer.
Vladimir Galstyan, Family Attorney on Jan 8, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Catherine Forbes, Family Attorney on Jan 1, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Levi Weikel-Magden, Family Attorney on Dec 26, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Crawford worked diligently to find a resolution in the best interest of her client and all parties in a high-conflict custody action.
Brian Mcginity, Family Attorney on Dec 25, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Sandra Nutt, Family Attorney on Dec 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Tony Anthony, Family Attorney on Dec 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Crawford has the respect of her colleagues and the admiration of her clients. We should all be so honored in our chosen fields.
Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on Dec 23, 2014
Relationship: Other
This lawyer goes to great lengths to get the best results for clients. I endorse this lawyer.
Mildred Phillips, Family Attorney on Dec 20, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Attorney Crawford because of her great reputation in the community.
John Dickson, Estate planning Attorney on Dec 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Marlene Keen, Family Attorney on Dec 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Outstanding attorney. A credit to the profession!
Jon Conrad, Family Attorney on Dec 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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