Category Archives: Divorce
Learn How Social Media Posts Can Impact Your California Divorce or Paternity Case
In today’s digital age, where social media has become an undeniable part of life, navigating a divorce or a paternity case can be even more complex. While sharing updates and connecting with loved ones can be beneficial, careless posts can have a significant, and often negative, impact on your family law case in California. Here’s… Read More »
Attorneys Fees as Sanctions: the Difference between the Family Code and the Civil Code
I recently wrote about attorney’s fees as a sanction and distinguished an award of attorneys fees as a sanction from attorney fees based on need in this post. I noted that Family Code Section 271 provides authority for sanctions against the adverse party (i.e. one’s ex). It does not authorize sanctions against the adverse party’s… Read More »
How do I add income from a small business to the California Income and Expense Declaration, form FL-150?
Question: If my spouse is self-employed with his own business, how should his income be stated in form FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration? On line (1.a) must he must state the name of his business, and on line (1.h) he must state his business’s gross income (before any taxes)? On line (7) must he must… Read More »
Is Income Earned After I Separated from My Spouse Community Property?
I am often asked about the date of separation in the context of a California Divorce. Question: Is income earned and property purchased after the date of separation, included in the division of community property in a California divorce? Answer: No. In California, income earned after the date of separation is separate property and is… Read More »
How to Prepare the Judicial Council Form FL-142 Asset and Debt Declaration
Getting divorced is a lot harder than getting married. Among the many steps necessary during the divorce is preparing and serving the parties preliminary disclosures. PRELIMINARY DISCLOSURES The preliminary disclosures consist of the FL-142 asset and debt declaration, the FL-140 declaration of disclosure, the FL-150 income and expense declaration. Once you have prepared all of… Read More »
What Steps Can a Person Take to Prepare for Divorce in California
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A DIVORCE IN CALIFORNIA There are several steps a party can take to prepare for a divorce in California: Gather information. This includes acquiring and making copies of important financial documents, such as tax returns, bank statements, and investment portfolios. It is also important to obtain the data necessary for you… Read More »
After a Family Law Hearing on Custody, Support or Some Other Issue How Does A Party Make an Order?
After a Court makes a decision in a family law case court hearing at which the judge issues an order, how does one make a record of what the judge said? I am often asked about Court Orders after a judge has made a decision in a family law hearing over a disputed issue. For… Read More »
Can My Spouse and I Divide Our Assets Prior to Filing for Divorce?
I often receive questions regarding dividing property prior to filing for divorce. Here’s a recent one: Question: My Spouse and I are planning to file a divorce. I’ve agreed to buyout my spouse’s portion of our home and transfer the house title through a Inter-Spousal transfer deed. I’m planning to draft a buyout settlement agreement…. Read More »
Dividing Children’s Health Costs Not Covered by Insurance: A Neglected Child Support Component of California Divorce and Paternity Cases
In every order for child support the court includes orders addressing health costs for the parties’ children which are not covered by insurance. Many parents forget about this important issue. The default order* of the court is that each parent is responsible for one half of these costs. Examples are co-pays for healthcare visits, blood… Read More »
Estate Planning Considerations During Divorce
You Should Update Your Estate Plan During a Divorce If you are going through a divorce, it is important to update your estate plan. This includes your will, your living trust (if you have one), your power of attorney, and your health care directive. Some estate planning documents you can change immediately by yourself or… Read More »