Category Archives: Divorce
What Effect Does Marital Infidelity Have on a California Divorce
Question: If one’s marriage ends due to infidelity, does the unfaithful spouse have to pay damages or lose any rights to the equal division of community property? What about child custody? Does infidelity influence the parenting time schedules or custody? Answers: Infidelity does not influence the division of property in a California Divorce. In California,… Read More »
Learn How Prenuptial Agreements Can Make Sense for You and Your Partner
Good Reasons for a Prenuptial Agreement Without a prenuptial agreement, divorce is complicated. With one it’s not easy peasy but it is less complicated. Reason 1 – Under the statutory law in California, once married half of all earnings, property accumulated from those earnings during marriage including your retirement, as well as the increaese in… Read More »
Understanding Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders in Effect in a California Divorce
When you file for divorce in California, Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders (ATROS) take effect immediately upon service of the petition of divorce. These are designed to protect both parties and maintain the status quo until further court orders are issued. While ATROS can be confusing, understanding their scope and implications is crucial for any divorce… Read More »
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 »