Family Law

Serve your Request for Order less than 16 days before the hearing, and the judge may decline to hear it. Custody arrangements, support payments, and questions about who stays in the home all remain unresolved until a new date is set. At Roberts & Zatlin, we see this deadline catching people more often than any…

Signing a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage makes you the legal father of the child the moment the form reaches the California Department of Child Support Services. It has the same weight as a court order signed by a judge. Support obligations, custody rights and inheritance rights are attached immediately. California doesn’t allow you to undo…

California has a state law that provides employees with the right to take job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. While it may seem similar to the Family Medical Leave Act, there are a few differences. What is the California Family Act Law? We will look at a few points of the Act, including…

After a child’s parents have divorced or separated, a parenting plan can help to define custody, visitation, and decision-making responsibilities. A well-thought-out co-parenting agreement makes sure that your child will have a stable and consistent schedule, which is needed for healthy development. If you want to learn more about parenting plans and schedules in California,…

Family law centers around relationships, rights, and responsibilities in California. Marriages, child custody, divorce, and domestic violence are just a few of the categories in this field of law.  If you want to know more about family law in California, there are the key principles and legal frameworks in the state. Let’s look at some…

When it comes to divorce, one of the most stressful and emotionally draining aspects centers around child custody. In the Golden State, the courts focus on the best interests of the child. From sole to joint custody, the state has several types of arrangements. California law recognizes a few factors in these decisions. If you…

The Ins and Outs of Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in California Marriage is a big commitment, but it can come with its challenges. With the help of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, couples can protect their assets and define their expectations in the event of a divorce. In California, these agreements are legal and binding….

What Makes a Parent “Unfit for Custody” in California? 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…

Everything You Need to Know About Common Law Marriage in California 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…

Adult Adoption in California: What You Need to Know 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,…

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…

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…