Blog

When couples get a divorce, many are on an emotional roller coaster and don’t always make the best decisions. For example, some spouses will attempt to hide their assets from the court during divorce proceedings. The end of a marriage is devastating to many couples. In situations where one...

Most divorces are traumatic, life-changing events for married couples, their children, and their relatives. The stress often leads to bad decisions, such as when a spouse voluntarily decides not to work, even though capable, to avoid paying their support obligations, such as child support and alimony...

Establishing “paternity” in California means determining a child's legal and biological father. This can be accomplished by the parents or the family law court if necessary. The issue of paternity sometimes becomes a significant part of California family law. It’s pretty routine for people to file cases in...

When you decide to divorce, one of the most challenging decisions you will need to make will be related to financial issues. This includes the complex process of figuring out all the shared finances and identifying community and separate property. Second, only to child custody and support issues...

Under California law, you must disclose all assets, income, property, and debts during divorce proceedings. This disclosure of assets process is considered a crucial step in dividing property in a divorce. You could face civil penalties and even criminal charges if you attempt to conceal or intentionally...

To file for a dissolution of marriage (divorce) in California, there are specific residency requirements and procedures you must follow. For example, there are many forms to fill out and legal steps before the divorce is finalized. While on the surface, it may seem a daunting task, it's easier t...

When someone decides to get a divorce in California, there are often many questions concerning their taxes as they go through the divorce process. It’s essential to plan and understand the financial path you are following. Whether you are currently considering filing for a divorce or are already in the...

When you have kids, one of the things parents will start early in their life is a college savings plan, called a “529 plan,” which is an investment account offering tax benefits when it’s used to pay for education expenses for a designated beneficiary. A 529 college saving plan is a popular way for parents...

Digital assets have quickly become more common in society as technology advances, especially among millennials. Thus, dividing these assets is increasingly common in a California divorce. While child custody, spousal support (alimony), and property division are common issues of debate when a marriage...

Suppose you own a business in California and planning to get married. In that case, you need to consider a prenuptial agreement to protect your interest in the company if the marriage fails later. Perhaps your spouse will be joining the business as a partner. Still, you will need to draft a prenuptial...

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) provides lifetime benefits to its employees and their spouses. If you decide to file for a divorce, you will most likely have questions about how your retirement benefits will be impacted. In the state of California, all types of retirement benefits...

Success in your professional life often works the same way as success in your personal life. It requires rules, guidelines, hard work, commitment, flexibility, and dedication. If you own and operate a business with your spouse, then you probably already have unique challenges that are often complicated...

For a California divorce to fall under the high net worth category generally means that you and your spouse own over $1 million in assets. Still, there is no specific amount under any law.  It means your divorce has a lot at stake, and you will need to retain an experienced family law attorney who has previously...

The California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to teachers and their families. The eligible beneficiaries include vested teachers that served in the various school districts, community colleges, and administrative offices. A spouse’s CalSTRS...

Getting a divorce is usually an emotionally challenging event for most families. Still, the process is often more difficult when you attempt to go through California divorce proceedings without legal help from a family law attorney. Many people, especially those planning an uncontested divorce, believe they...

Once you have decided to get a divorce in California, you will eventually have to discuss the crucial issue of dividing assets, including the marital home, which often quickly becomes a hotly debated topic. Most spouses will have a solid emotional attachment to their home because of the life-long memories...

An executive divorce is where one or both spouses are professionals, such as a CEO, CFO, or other high-level management position with a company. An executive divorce can include someone who is the president of a high-asset corporation or an executive employee, director, partner, or shareholder...

A “silver-era” divorce, also called a “gray divorce,” refers to couples getting a divorce when they are over 50 years old and have been married for a long time. These types of divorces have some unique factors from a traditional California divorce, such as child custody, child support, and visitation...

In most cases, when a couple decides to get married, they are not thinking about what could happen if the marriage fails later down the road.  In California, any business or company formed during a marriage is considered community property, also called “marital property.” What does that mean...

A royalty is an amount of money paid to someone for using their property, such as pictures, music, or patented and copyrighted items. Any item that generates royalties is considered an asset because it produces income. While the property that produces royalties is intellectual property (IP), they...

In California divorce proceedings, especially in high net worth, increased assets, or executive divorce cases, property division can become one of the most hotly debated and complicated issues. Many married couples have complex assets, such as financial investments, retirement accounts, state or...

Determining the value of a business in a California divorce case is often a complex process, depending on the company’s size and assets. Family law lawyers can use the professional services of a certified public accountant (CPA) or valuation expert who will need access to financial records to complete...

For most couples who have decided to get a divorce, their primary concerns are usually child custody and property division.  However, when a spouse owns and operates a professional practice, their assets could be subjected to equitable division with their spouse in a California divorce. Your...

Getting a traditional divorce is usually a stressful and emotional process but can often seem overwhelming when significant assets are acquired during your marriage. If you or your spouse own more than $1 million in assets, you are considered in a high net worth divorce. While the California divorce...

A California “contested divorce” means the spouses cannot agree on all the issues, such as child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), property division, how to divide assets and debts, or payment of lawyer fees. In many contested divorces, tempers flare, and each spouse is...