March 4, 2021 / Parental Rights

What Are the Rights of Unmarried Fathers in California?

Every year, thousands of babies in California are born to unwed mothers. In fact, just over 37 percent of babies born in the Golden State are born out of wedlock. While that might sound like a high percentage, California actually ranks in the middle of the pack. The state with the lowest percentage of births […]

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February 15, 2021 / Divorce

What Is in a Divorce Decree?

A divorce decree is the final judgment in a divorce proceeding. California law refers to a divorce as a dissolution of a marriage. The divorce decree is the order that finalizes the dissolution and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the parties going forward. A divorce decree is comprehensive. It wraps up the loose ends […]

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February 1, 2021 / Divorce

Marital Settlement Agreement

During a divorce process or afterward, spouses may enter a contract to resolve all of their divorce-related issues. This contract, called a marital settlement agreement, can be brought about after mediation or through negotiations between the spouses’ attorneys. What Issues are Resolved in a Marital Settlement Agreement? Spouses can resolve all marriage-related issues in a […]

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January 10, 2021 / Child Custody

Do Grandparents Have Rights in California?

Family situations get complicated. Sometimes, parents may choose to withhold grandchildren from their grandparents. Painful emotions like resentment and disappointment strain interfamily relationships. Maybe you used to see your grandchildren every day or once a week. Now, you don’t see them at all. It makes sense for grandparents to feel confused and wondering “Do grandparents […]

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December 14, 2020 / Legal Separation

How to File for Legal Separation in California

In California, marriage or registered domestic partnership terminates by: Couples who do not wish to divorce might choose legal separation instead. There are similarities between legal separation and divorce, but there are also differences. In a legal separation, the court decides the same issues it would in a divorce case.  The court can resolve child […]

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December 13, 2020 / Child Support

What Happens to Child Support if I Remarry?

Parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children regardless of custody and visitation rights. When parents remarry, they may wonder how the remarriage will affect an existing child support order. In order to understand the impact, it is important to understand both how child support is calculated and how California law generally views […]

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December 12, 2020 / Divorce

Everything You Need to Know About Filing Bankruptcy After Divorce

Divorce is a common reason for filing a bankruptcy case. Many people who have gone through a divorce experience financial problems. They may have difficulty paying bills with a single income or have trouble paying bills because of their domestic support obligations. Regardless of the reason for filing bankruptcy after divorce, it is essential to […]

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December 6, 2020 / Child Custody

How Domestic Violence Affects Child Custody in California

A common reason for someone seeking a divorce in California is domestic violence. The California court system handles thousands of cases involving domestic violence each year. If you are being abused or your child is being abused, call the police and get help immediately to stop the abuse. After p safety for yourself and your […]

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December 2, 2020 / Spousal Support

Cohabitation and Spousal Support

The California Family Code § 4323 allows a “rebuttable presumption” that spousal support can be decreased if the supported party is cohabitating with someone else. What is Cohabitation? Cohabitation refers to living with a non-marital partner with which there is an intimate, personal relationship. California law does not provide a standard definition of cohabitation, but […]

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