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Author name: Hepner & Pagan, LLP

Couple having argument during counseling session

When Mediation Fails: Transitioning from Amicable Negotiation to Assertive Litigation

Residents in Campbell often choose mediation because it aligns with the community’s preference for privacy and cooperation. Whether you are meeting near the Pruneyard or discussing terms in a quiet office off Orchard City Drive, the goal of mediation is a peaceful resolution. But what happens when the spirit of compromise vanishes? If your spouse […]

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Visitation on virtual device

Virtual Visitation in 2026: Is FaceTime Officially Part of My Custody Order?

Technology has transformed how families stay connected across distances. FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, and other video platforms let parents and children maintain relationships even when they can’t be physically together. But for years, family courts treated virtual visitation as a nice supplement to in-person time—not as genuine parenting time that counts in custody arrangements. In

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Fighting over money during divorce

The Cost of Contested Litigation: A Financial Reality Check for Families in Crisis

Families in Campbell often find themselves at a crossroads when a marriage ends. The emotional weight of a divorce is heavy enough, but the financial burden can quickly become overwhelming. For many, the instinct is to fight every battle in a courtroom, believing that a judge is the only path to justice. But the cost

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Couple during disagreement

The 2026 “Coercive Control” Standard: A New Way to View Emotional Abuse in Custody

Family law is evolving in profound ways. For decades, custody determinations focused primarily on which parent could provide material care—housing, food, education. But increasingly, courts recognize that children’s wellbeing depends on something deeper: freedom from psychological manipulation and control. In 2026, we’re seeing a major shift in how courts evaluate parental fitness when one parent

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Calculating finances

Self-Employment and Child Support: How Courts Verify Income for Business Owners

Living and working in the South Bay often means carving your own path as an entrepreneur, consultant, or small business owner. While the flexibility of self-employment is a hallmark of the Campbell lifestyle, it can create unique hurdles during a divorce or child support case. When one or both parents own a business, determining the

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Two kids sitting with mother and father

Step-Parent Rights: Does a New Marriage Impact Your Existing Custody or Support Order?

Life in Campbell moves quickly. For many parents in Santa Clara County, that means moving forward into new relationships and second marriages. While a wedding is a joyous milestone, it often brings up complex questions about how a new spouse fits into an existing legal framework. You might wonder if your new spouse gains legal

Step-Parent Rights: Does a New Marriage Impact Your Existing Custody or Support Order? Read More »

Meeting with the boss

Challenging a Final Judgment: When Can a Divorce Settlement Be Overturned for Fraud?

Walking through the Campbell Community Center or grabbing a coffee on East Campbell Avenue, you might finally feel a sense of peace after your divorce is finalized. You have a signed judgment, a clear path forward, and the weight of the legal process is behind you. But what happens if you suddenly discover that the

Challenging a Final Judgment: When Can a Divorce Settlement Be Overturned for Fraud? Read More »

Tearing apart banknote

Digital Assets In 2026: Splitting Crypto, NFTs, And Monetized Social Accounts

Modern households in Campbell look much different today than they did a decade ago. While physical property, such as a home near The Pruneyard or a car, remains central to divorce discussions, digital wealth has become a primary focus in Santa Clara County courtrooms. As we move through 2026, the complexity of splitting digital assets

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Relocation and “Move-Away” Cases: Can You Take Your Child Out of Santa Clara County?

Life in Campbell is rarely static. Whether a new career opportunity arises in another state or you need to move closer to family support systems, the decision to relocate is significant. When that move involves a child and a co-parenting relationship, the situation becomes legally complex. If you are wondering whether you can take your

Relocation and “Move-Away” Cases: Can You Take Your Child Out of Santa Clara County? Read More »