In 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1141 into law. The bill amended California’s family code to extend legal protections, such as a restraining order, to those who have endured non-physical abuse. The newly passed statute names coercive control as a type of abusive conduct. If you have not heard of this term, you may be wondering: What is coercive control? Continue reading
When parents divorce, one of the most important decisions they will make is how they will share physical custody of their kids. In some cases, parents may want to divide their time equally or “50/50.” This may seem like an equitable and logical choice. However, if you are considering this type of arrangement, you will want to know: Is 50/50 the best custody option for my kids? Continue reading
During your California divorce, you and your ex will be required to identify and disclose certain financial information to one another. Ideally, everyone will follow the rules and be honest about their assets. However, there can be situations when a party is not being financially forthcoming. If you are going through a California divorce and believe your former spouse has secret property, you need to ask: What do you do when you think your ex is hiding divorce assets? Continue reading
When a marriage is ending in divorce, couples have a choice about how to proceed with their case. Sometimes, divorcing parties will want to end their marital relationship with as little conflict as possible. One option for couples in this situation is to have a Collaborative Divorce. If you have never considered or heard of this divorce model, you may be wondering: What is a Collaborative Divorce, and is it right for me? Continue reading
Divorce can be a stressful and painful experience for everyone involved, but it can be especially hard on children. As a parent, you will want to do everything you can to protect your kids during this difficult time. While you probably won’t be able to completely insulate your children from your divorce, there are measures you can take to support them during the process. Here are 5 ways you can help your kids during divorce: Continue reading
In a traditional California divorce, one or both parties can file for divorce, and a county court judge will be assigned to oversee the matter. However, Californians also have another option—hiring a private judge to hear their case. If you are considering or are in the process of divorce, you may be asking: What is a private judge, and should I use one during my California divorce? Continue reading
When you own a dog, cat, or other pet, they are often more than an animal companion—they are like members of the family. Owners can form intense bonds with their shared household animals. Therefore, not surprisingly, the question of who gets the family pet can become contentious during a divorce. If you are involved in a California divorce and have a household animal, you may need to know: Do California divorce courts award custody of pets? Continue reading
Divorce can be devastating on multiple levels—especially financially. Getting through the process and back on your feet can take time. In this situation, it’s not uncommon for family members to help out by providing extra funds. Depending on the circumstances, someone’s family support could be a temporary measure or ongoing. Additionally, some family “gifts” operate more like recurring income. If you or your ex are getting supplemental financial assistance from family, you will want to know: Can in-law gifts and support be considered during my California divorce? Continue reading
During divorce, parents often establish a schedule that sets out how they will spend time with their kids. Generally, the expectation is that custodial parents will be with their children during their designated care periods. However, there can be situations when a parent may need to leave their children with someone else. Depending on the circumstances, you may or may not be comfortable with a third party watching your kids when your ex is away. If that is the case, you may want to consider adding the “Right of First Refusal” to your California parenting agreement. If you have not heard of this term, you may be wondering: Do I need the “right of first refusal” in my custody order? Continue reading
During divorce, parents have to quickly adapt from being part of the same family to co-parenting. Before, you made choices and spent time with your kids as a couple. Now, you will co-parent according to a court order. Co-parenting after divorce can be challenging even under the best of circumstances. If you and your ex disagree, sharing responsibilities and time with your kids could provide more opportunities for conflict. The good news is that there are ways to manage co-parenting with your former spouse even when you don’t like one another. Here is more on how to co-parent when you don’t get along with your ex. Continue reading