Elements of an Effective Parenting Plan

Whenever a divorce proceeding takes place and children are involved, issues of child custody and visitation inevitably arise. The goal for everyone involved should be to design a custody and visitation arrangement (also called a “parenting plan”) that effectively addresses the health, education, and well-being of the children. Typically, parenting plans are organized into two […]

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The Pros and Cons of Alternate Dispute Resolutions

Taking your case to court can be costly and time-consuming. In my opinion, it should only happen when there’s no other way for the disputing parties to reach some middle ground. That’s why it’s good to know about other options, such as negotiated settlements, also known in legal circles as Alternate Dispute Resolutions (ADRs). Each […]

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Protect Your Assets by Keeping Records

When two people fall in love and decide to get married, they don’t want to consider the possibility that at some time in the future they may no longer feel the same way about each other – and that the experience of separation and divorce might turn ugly over issues of community assets and debt […]

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What Happens in Small Claims Court?

Clients sometimes come to my office regarding a claim they have on a defaulted personal loan or they want to retrieve a security deposit from a landlord or have some other matter where money is due them. In many cases, the amount they claim is too small to warrant being handled in acivil court of […]

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What does “Spousal Support” Mean?

Spousal support, (formerly known as “alimony”), refers to the obligation of one party in a marriage or domestic partnership to provide support to their former spouse or partner. California Family Code Section 4320 lays out numerous factors by which a court is mandated to award spousal support. These factors include: Duration of marriage Available resources […]

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To Stash or Not to Stash: Do I Have to Disclose Everything I own in a Divorce Proceeding?

People who come to my office seeking assistance with a divorce often ask one of two questions, and sometimes both: “Do I have to tell my spouse about everything I own or owe?” “What happens if my spouse is hiding an asset?” These are important issues that need to be addressed, since the process of […]

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