If you’re thinking of representing yourself in a divorce proceeding, there are two options I would suggest considering. Both come with significant pros and cons, which you should be aware of before moving forward. Option 1 – Family Law Facilitator Most counties in California offer a “for-free” service called the Family Law Facilitator. One or […]
In a recent blog post, I discussed the pros and cons of choosing to represent yourself in court actions, rather than hiring an attorney to handle your matter. In such legal areas as civil litigation, family law, bankruptcy, small claims, traffic court, etc., there are times when you can act effectively on your own behalf […]
If you’re thinking of representing yourself in a divorce or dissolution of domestic partnership proceeding in California, there are two options I would suggest considering. Both come with significant pros and cons, which you should be aware of before moving forward. Option 1 – Family Law Facilitator Most counties in California offer a “for-free” service […]
The principle behind laws regarding child support in California is very simple. The parents of children born in the course of a marriage (or conceived out of wedlock) are legally responsible for the financial support of their offspring, regardless of whether or not those parents are living with their child(ren). Typically, an order for child […]
In California, “community property” is defined as the marital interest in an asset or debt that was obtained or incurred between the date of marriage/registration of a domestic partnership and the date of separation. When I initially sit down with a client who’s going through a divorce or dissolution of domestic partnership, I start by […]
In general, “child custody” refers to all the important decisions regarding the raising of a child, including his or her health, education, and welfare. Custody is basically divided into two parts: (a) legal custody (the decision-making part) and (b) physical custody, as in who is responsible for the child’s physical well-being. Unless the parents share […]
If you and your spouse face impending separation or divorce, there are important legal and emotional factors to consider. Whether you intend to hire a lawyer to represent you in Family Court or you wish to represent yourself, here are several things to keep in mind: Put a game plan together. The legal process of […]
Many issues arise in the course of a divorce proceeding but some of the most common (and most commonly misunderstood) relate to a couple’s marital residence. Who will live in the house while the legal action is pending? Can both spouses continue to reside there? Should they? Who’s responsible for maintaining the property (including general […]
Sometimes it seems that issues around child custody are needlessly complicated to understand. So when a parent who shares custody of a child wishes to travel internationally, he or she should be aware of the additional legal ramifications of taking that child out of the U.S. In one respect, things are fairly straightforward, at least […]
By its very nature, a divorce proceeding is an adversarial event. But adversarial doesn’t have to be the same thing as bitter or filled with antagonism. With the high cost of litigation—not to mention the potentially devastating emotional damage on spouses, partners, and their families—it makes sense for the parties involved to try and step […]