Every parent wants to have a place in their child’s life and to have a voice in the big childrearing decisions. That’s why custody disputes are, by far, the hardest, most stressful, and most emotional part of a divorce or split. While there is no such thing as a perfect parent, there are many factors…
When most people picture a marriage, they picture a wedding ceremony with rings and vows. Less common, perhaps, is a courthouse wedding or elopement. However, most people assume getting married involves a marriage license and an officiant, and usually, and in most places, it does. However, there is a phenomenon called common law marriage, where,…
Traditionally, adoption is thought of as an adult becoming the legal parent of a child under 18, or perhaps even under the age of 19 or 21 under some circumstances. Through the adoption process, the adoptive parent is granted all the rights to their adopted child, but is also accepting all the responsibilities associated with…
What You Need to Know About Stepparent Adoption in California Stepparents often play an integral role in their stepchild’s life. As relationships progress and as families grow and change, you and your spouse (or unmarried domestic partner) may decide you want to formally “blend” your family by adopting your stepchild. This has many benefits to…
The Ultimate Guide to Property Law in California Divorces The division of property and debts plays a significant role in divorce proceedings and is a leading cause of contention among spouses seeking divorce. Property isn’t just physical items where divorce law is concerned. Property can be tangible items like a house, car, or furniture, but…
An Unmarried Father’s Parental Rights in California Thousands of babies are born to unmarried couples in California every year. The number currently sits at 37% but is rising as familial norms are shifting away from the outdated notion that babies shouldn’t be born out of wedlock. However, when a baby is born to unmarried parents,…
Stepparents often play an integral role in their stepchild’s life. As relationships progress and as families grow and change, you and your spouse (or unmarried domestic partner) may decide you want to formally “blend” your family by adopting your stepchild. This has many benefits to both the stepparent and the stepchild. For the stepparent, adopting…
A divorce is never easy, regardless of how amicable it may be. Separating your life from your soon-to-be former spouse’s will take a toll on your emotions, family, and finances. While nothing can make a divorce painless, preparing financially for a divorce is essential to best protect yourself from the inevitable financial repercussions and to…
The Ultimate Guide to “Palimony” in California Through the course of a marriage, it is common for spouses to come to depend on another for spousal support. There are often promises of support made when one spouse sacrifices focusing on their career for the betterment of the marriage. After a separation or divorce between two…
Many families and spouses have complicated financial situations involving assets that each spouse earned prior to the marriage or purchased using their separate assets. Dividing your family’s assets into categories of “yours, mine, and ours” often requires careful planning and attention to detail while the marriage is healthy. When that doesn’t happen, you may have…
When one or both spouses already own property or assets before the marriage, it is important for both spouses to understand California’s community and separate property laws. That way you can help your attorney distinguish between your separate assets and commingled funds that have become part of the community property during the marriage. Separate vs…
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