Collaboration Is A Better Way.
California is one of 17 states that have a strict no-fault divorce process. No-fault is just what it sounds like. The person filing for the divorce only says that there has been an irreparable breakdown of the marriage and there is no possibility of saving it because...
Mediation is a voluntary process. Most commonly, it involves the two spouses meeting with the mediator who guides the couple into settling their divorce case without the need to have an evidentiary hearing in front of a judge who will make their decisions for them....
Contrary to what you might hear, it’s not always the case that women are the default or preferred parent in child custody cases! The California Family Code presumes that joint custody is in the best interest of the child. This is only a presumption, which can of...
In thirty-five years of practicing family law, no one has ever walked through my door and asked, “when do we get to go to court?” Instead, the common concerned question is this: “do we have to go to court?” Here’s the truth: if you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse can...
It can be a substantial emotional and social responsibility to care for children with disabilities. The time, effort, and energy involved in providing access to special services, private schools, and medical equipment can be hard on a marriage. Understanding...
Everybody loves drama—it’s why People magazine is so popular. In California, anyone (including journalists or even the IRS) can sit in on a hearing, and anyone can go to the courthouse and look at submitted files and documents. A court file could contain information...
When it comes to managing a divorce, a neutral financial professional can be one of the most helpful members of a Collaborative Divorce team. A Neutral Financial Professional Provides Education and Expertise A financial neutral can gather up information in an...
Couples eager to start planning a deferred wedding, as well as those who have been previously married can benefit from a productive discussion about their premarital assets. Prenuptial agreements ensure partners can be clear about their stock, investment, savings, and...
Adult children in a divorce are often an overlooked group of people that are impacted by the divorce. Parents wrongly assume their divorce will not affect children who are no longer living at home and who have built lives of their own outside of the family unit....
Many people consider Pets to be family members, and yet the law considers pets to be property in a divorce case. During a divorce, spouses can, and often do, create a custody agreement for the pet. Deciding how to handle pet custody depends on your relationship with...