Because of the changing workforce and equality, it is no longer assumed that alimony is available when couples end their marriage or relationships. But this support, now known as permanent or long-term spousal support, may be ordered after divorce or the end of a...
Family Law
Property and debt division in divorce
When a couple decides to divorce, their property and their debts must be divided. Generally, they are divided equally between both spouses. Dividing property There are two types of property that must be considered for division. Community property is any asset or debt...
Should we have premarital or post-marital agreement?
With the rash of celebrity divorces recently, premarital and post-marital agreements are back in the popular conversation. Indeed, if you are getting married or already married in California, you may want to consider drafting a premarital or post-marital agreement....
Does either parent pay child support when custody is split 50/50?
These days shared physical custody is becoming more common when parents are no longer in a relationship with one another. Some parents even share physical custody 50/50. They each have the child in their physical care half of the time, and thus are financially...
What is the difference between mediation and collaborative law?
Both mediation and collaborative law are ways in which couples in the Los Angeles area can resolve their divorces without having to go through the court process. These ways can save a resident of Southern California a great deal of time, stress and expense during...
What does the collaborative law process look like?
You may have heard the term collaborative law and wonder what exactly it means. Collaborative law is an alternative dispute resolution technique that has gained popularity in recent years. While collaborative law can be used in any type of legal situation, it is most...
Who gets the family dog in a divorce?
Any dog owner knows that the family dog is a loved and highly valued member of the family. When a couple faces divorce, the question often arises of who gets custody of the dog. Traditionally, courts in California treated dogs and other pets like personal property,...
Modifying a California order for child custody
Many Californians view the final order ending their marriage as the permanent conclusion to a long and painful journey. The final order and each of its terms are often considered to be the last gasp of a dead marriage. However, all divorced parents need to keep in...
Keeping father’s rights in focus in California
Whether you divorced your wife, were a long-term partner, or you were in another relationship with a woman, if there is a child, you have rights as a father. Even if you are not biologically connected to the child but raised them as your own, you also have rights....
California keeps large portions of supporting parents’ money
Across the United States, child support and the supporting parent's commitment and follow-through of that money are taken very seriously. If the parent does not pay on time or does not pay at all, there are consequences beyond money. It is not uncommon for the...