Author Archives: ladivorcelawyer
Dividing the Home in Divorce: Understanding reimbursement for Unequal Contributions to the Down Payment of the Marital Residence. Cal. Family Code 2640
QUESTION: How is equity from a home sale divided in a California divorce if each spouse contributed to the down payment from pre-marriage funds but one spouse contributed more of the down payment from pre-marriage funds? FACTS: I got married three years ago. Shortly after marrying, we bought a house together. We both contributed to the… Read More »
Navigating Divorce in California: Understanding the Request to Enter Default
In this post we explain What a Request to Enter a Default in a California Divorce Is, Why One Would Do It, and How One Doest It. When filing for divorce or legal separation in California understanding the process is crucial. If your spouse doesn’t respond to the petition, you might be considering seeking a… Read More »
The California Appellate Court Clarifies Spousal Support in Cases Involving Federal Immigration Law-I-864 Affidavits of Support
In a case published June 20, 2025, the California Appellate Court Stated that Income Available for Support Must Be Calculated Before Support is Determined Even in Cases Involving I-864 Affidavits of Support California Appellate Court Clarifies Spousal Support in Cases Involving Federal Immigration Law (I-864 Affidavits) A recent opinion issued by the California Appellate Court… Read More »
Courts Generally Issue Temporary Restraining Orders Upon Allegations of Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Allegations Generally Result in the California Courts Issuing Temporary Restraining Orders Pending a Hearing. A Permanent Restraining Order Issued After a Hearing Has Profound Effects on Child Custody Under California Law.. Navigating family law matters, particularly when dealing with divorce, paternity, child custody, and the complexities of domestic violence cases in both civil… Read More »
Is Alimony (Spousal Support) Taxable in California?
I am often asked whether alimony is taxable in California. The short answer is YES. Here’s the question I received yesterday. I post it as I believe the answers to the question are helpful. QUESTION: I have a spousal support mutual written agreement that I started receiving payments in 2024 ( entered also that year… Read More »
I Have Never Had A Couple Get Divorced After Getting a Prenuptial Agreement
This is obviously clickbait. But, it’s true. In my career I have never had a couple who retained me to prepare a prenuptial agreement for them file for divorce. The implication is that Prenups make marriages stronger, right? Well…no. I believe that couples who who agree that they want a prenuptial agreement and come to… Read More »
MORE ON MOORE MARSDEN: DIVIDING A HOUSE OR OTHER REAL PROPERTY IN A CALIFORNIA DIVORCE
If you get a divorce in California and one spouse purchased real property before the marriage the other spouse may have a community property interest in the house by operation of law. Very commonly people get married and one of them already owns a house. If they get a divorce the Court will not give… Read More »
Does Our California Court Still Have Child Custody Jurisdiction Even If I and my Ex Now Live in Different States?
Question: I have a child custody order from the Los Angeles Superior Court. Neither my Ex nor I live in California now. Our children are with me, and I would like to change the custody order. Can I do that in the Court where I live now? We never finished the case in California. No… Read More »
Los padres acusados de delitos de violencia doméstica y acusados en el tribunal de derecho de familia con una DVRO necesitan un abogado especial
SI USTED ES UN PADRE QUE ENFRENTA CARGOS PENALES POR VIOLENCIA DOMÉSTICA, ES PROBABLE QUE NECESITE UNO QUE TAMBIÉN PUEDA MANEJAR SUS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN POR VIOLENCIA DOMÉSTICA. NOS ESPECIALIZAMOS EN AMBOS. AHORRE DINERO Y PROBLEMAS CONTRATANDO UN ABOGADO PARA SU CASO PENAL Y SU CASO DE ORDEN DE RESTRICCIÓN POR VIOLENCIA DOMÉSTICA DE DERECHO… Read More »
LA MEDIACIÓN DE DIVORCIO TIENE SENTIDO INCLUSO CON UN CÓNYUGE REACIO
Los abogados litigantes tradicionales y las partes están en roles adversarios. Puedes imaginar que si una empresa demanda a otra por infracción de marca registrada, por ejemplo, el caso comienza como un juego de suma cero con un ganador y un perdedor. Es cierto que la mayoría de los casos se resuelven, pero la mentalidad… Read More »