Understanding Discovery in Divorce Part 2-Responding to Discovery

Discovery can seem overwhelming. It can also be very time consuming and confusing. Many people get angry when they see what their former spouse is requesting of them. However, your attorney can guide you and narrow the requests down to what you need to provide, and coach you on any appropriate objections.  When you receive […]

Understanding Discovery in Divorce Part 1 – Issuing Discovery and Evaluating Your Needs

Discovery is a general term family law attorneys use for the process of obtaining documents and information from the other party in your case.  Why do discovery? This depends on your case. If you and your spouse were completely transparent with each other during your case and you both know the finances very well, then […]

California Divorce Process Flow Chart

How will alcohol and drugs affect my custody case?

Going through a family law case can feel very much like your entire life is under a microscope. One common question is about drug and alcohol use and how it affects your case. The answer is truly that it depends. This brief post with focus on how it impacts your case when children are involved.  […]

Getting Child Support Orders in Your Family Law Case.

Whether you are getting a divorce or separating from a partner with whom you share a child or children, child support is often the most difficult issue to navigate.   It is important to recognize that support is viewed by the State of California as an entitlement of the children, and not of the receiving parent. […]

Divorce and Legal Separation: What is the difference between the two and which option is right for me?

Generally speaking, you can accomplish the same things in divorce and legal separation – calculating support, dividing assets, developing a plan on how to move forward as two households – the only difference is after divorce you are returned to the legal status of “single” whereas in legal separation you are still legally married. So, […]

Fiduciary Duties Owed to Your Spouse Both Before and After Marriage.

A marriage is more than a romantic relationship between two people. According to the California Family Code, a marriage is also a financial partnership requiring each party to act in the “highest good faith” when it comes to handling the marital finances. If one spouse takes an unfair advantage of the other during the marriage, […]

What is alimony and how much am I entitled to?

WHAT IS ALIMONY AND HOW MUCH AM I ENTITLED TO? If you are getting divorced in California, you may be entitled to Spousal Support (also known as alimony). The intent of the California Legislature in enacting laws for Spousal Support was to help transition spouses who are not able to support themselves or who maybe […]

What is a 730 Custody Evaluation?

When parents are unable to come to certain agreements about child custody and visitation, a custody evaluation can be a useful tool to provide the Court with necessary information about what is in the child(ren)’s best interest. A 730 Evaluation is named after the code section, Evidence Code Section 730. A 730 evaluator is the […]