Divorce and Family Law Blog

August 11, 2021 / Divorce

What is a Putative Spouse in a Divorce or Legal Separation in Los Angeles, CA?

California does not recognize common-law marriages. Therefore, parties must be legally married or in a domestic partnership for a family court to have jurisdiction over their divorce or family law issue. If a couple separates after years of living together without being legally married, it is up to the couple to divide their debts and […]

July 15, 2021 / Spousal Support

How Long Does Spousal Support Last in California?

Spousal support in California ends when a court order ends the payments. Support payments also end when one of the individuals dies. Likewise, if the person receiving spousal support gets remarried or registers a new domestic partnership, spousal support should end. The length of spousal support payments depends on numerous factors. Some individuals may be […]

July 7, 2021 / Divorce

Can I Have a New Partner Move in During a Divorce?

Some states require spouses to prove “fault” for the divorce, such as adultery, abandonment, or abuse. California is one of several states that have no-fault divorce laws. A couple may file for divorce simply because they do not want to be married to each other any longer. As a result, judges are not interested in […]

July 1, 2021 / Child Support

What Can I Do If My Child Support is Too High?

Being a parent is already a tough job. However, co-parenting with somebody else makes it even more complicated. Adding child support issues can make parenting tasks even more sensitive. Child support calculations are designed as a baseline level of support that can be applied across all cases. However, we understand that no situation can be […]

June 21, 2021 / Child Custody

5 Factors That Affect Child Custody Decisions

Child custody cases are some of the most emotional and hard-fought battles in family court. In most cases, each parent believes they are doing what’s best for the child. But, unfortunately, in a few cases, children are used as leverage and weapons by a vindictive spouse. Family courts in California always place the child’s best […]

June 16, 2021 / Child Support

When Does Child Support Terminate and Under What Conditions in San Diego for a Paternity, Legal Separation or Divorce Case

Parents are expected to support their children financially. If the parents are not married or do not live together, the court may order one parent to make child support payments to the other parent. There are several ways child support can start. Likewise, several triggers end child support payments. If you are paying or receiving […]

May 26, 2021 / Child Custody

What Factors Do Family Courts Use to Decide if a Parent is Unfit?

In most cases, the court prefers to award joint custody because children benefit from spending as much time with each parent as possible. When parents can work together to develop a parenting plan that benefits the entire family, the parents and the children are generally happier with the situation. However, what happens when one parent […]

May 12, 2021 / Divorce

Divorcing A Narcissist: Tips, Tools, and What To Expect

Going through a divorce is never easy, even when the parties agree to an uncontested divorce. However, when your spouse is a narcissist, the divorce process can be even more traumatic. A narcissist does not like to lose. Therefore, it is in your best interest to work with an experienced divorce lawyer who knows what […]

April 20, 2021 / Child Custody

How Can I Prove Parental Alienation?

A parent may cause long-term harm to their child by manipulating or disrupting their relationship with their other parent. Children benefit from close, loving relationships with both parents. Absent abuse or another legitimate reason for restricting a parent’s access to their child, California courts prefer joint parenting plans that ensure both parents play active roles […]

April 14, 2021 / Divorce

Gaslighting: How to Recognize Your Spouse’s Manipulative Behavior

Divorce can be a very difficult process for a person. However, someone who has been “gaslighted” by their spouse may experience additional challenges when seeking a divorce. They may be unsure of themselves and their reality, making it even more challenging to get out of a toxic marriage. What Does Gaslighting Mean? Gaslighting is a […]