Tips and Tools to Address Bad Faith and Incivility in Custody and Visitation Matters

Philip J. Monahan is a seasoned family law attorney and partner at Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, where he has practiced since 2010. With experience in family law dating back to 2004, Monahan expertly navigates high-conflict custody disputes and complex divorces, representing clients with diligence and deep legal insight.

Monahan recently achieved a published appellate victory in January 2025’s In re Marriage of Goldman, establishing that the equitable defense of laches applies in family law cases—a decision that has shaped the landscape for marital settlement disputes in California.

His achievements have earned him repeated recognition. He was selected for Lawdragon 500 Best Family Lawyers 2026 and Best Lawyers in America 2023 through 2025, highlighting his excellence and distinction in family and divorce law. He also received the Lawyers of Distinction award for excellence in family and divorce law in 2023.

Monahan holds a B.A. from UCLA and a J.D. from USC, and is an active presence in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Bar Associations. His leadership and advocacy continue to elevate standards in family law and client outcomes.

Amanda K. Beall is a partner at Garelick Family Law, PC. She has built her legal career at some of California’s leading private law firms since 2017. Her practice focuses on complex family law and litigation for high-asset individuals and estates, with extensive experience resolving issues involving spousal and child support, custody, paternity, and domestic violence. As a partner of Garelick Family Law, PC, Amanda is committed to being one of California’s leading family law attorneys, providing exceptional representation and support to her clients.

Ms. Beall graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Ms. Beall then earned her Juris Doctorate from Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law – where she earned and maintained an academic merit scholarship throughout her law school career.

Greg Girvan is a Certified Family Law Specialist at FMBK, where he represents clients throughout California in complex and consequential family law matters. His practice spans high-asset divorce, contested custody, domestic violence litigation, and the negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements involving substantial estates and cross-border considerations.

Mr. Girvan has litigated hundreds of trials, evidentiary hearings, and Requests for Orders, and routinely advises on the division of closely held businesses and support matters involving layered income structures. His custody work includes interstate and international disputes, often involving jurisdictional and enforcement challenges.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Girvan is frequently retained to draft and negotiate marital agreements tailored to complex financial circumstances, including private equity interests, real estate holdings, and international assets.