What happens to my retirement accounts in a California divorce?
In California, all types of retirement benefits are considered community property, which requires the benefits to be divided upon a dissolution of marriage. Community property is the contributions you made and the service credit you accrued and/or purchased during your marriage or domestic partnership. Generally, your former spouse’s community property interest may be up to… Read More »
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Los Angeles California?
I am often asked “How long how long does it take to get divorced in Los Angeles County? (or Orange County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, etc) Most lawyers play it safe and say ” It depends.” While that is true it’s not helpful. Based on my experience Post COVID California divorces are taking about… Read More »
Summary Dissolution–A Simpler Faster Way to Divorce in California
A summary dissolution is a simpler way to end a marriage or domestic partnership for couples who qualify and are able to cooperate in obtaining the divorce judgment. A summary dissolution becomes final 6 months after you file with the court. It’s less expensive. Our firm charges a flat fee: no retainers, no deposits, and… Read More »
Learn What to Do if Your Ex Files an Ex Parte about Child Custody
I am often contacted by nervous parents who state that their ex has filed (or is about to file) an Ex Parte Application concerning modifying or creating a child custody order in Family Law Court. Often after I listen to their story, I am able to tell them to relax. The most common reason I… Read More »
Los Angeles Family Law Courts No Longer Have Court Reporters
Change in Rules Regarding Court Reporters Effective November 14, 2022 the Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law Departments will amend its policies regarding the availability of official court reporters. Official court reporters are not statutorily required to be provided in unlimited civil, family law, or probate matters, and existing court reporter coverage will end November 14… Read More »
Can I Buy My Ex Out of Our House During Our California Divorce?
Question: Can I buy my ex-spouse’s interest out of our house? Answer: Well it just became a lot harder. (I am writing on October 11, 2022) Interest rates are rising, home prices are falling, and the southern California housing market is turning into a nightmare for sellers. To illustrate the severity of rates on the market,… Read More »
Do I Need a Lawyer to File for Divorce in California
I am often asked: “Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in Los Angeles California? Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino? The answer is: It depends. After more than 30 years of family law practice I am confident that many people can handle their… Read More »
Learn How to Modify Child Support Orders
Question: My son, age 18, moved out of my ex’s, the custodial parents, home and lives with me, the non-custodial parent, who pays child support, can child support get terminated? My son is still in high school* but has decided he won’t stay at his mom’s house, she’s the Custodial Parent and receives child support… Read More »
Dividing the house or other real property in a California Divorce
I am often asked questions similar to this one: Am I entitled to anything from a living trust in divorce if I paid the mortgage? My ex put the home that we are living in into a living trust before the marriage. For the last 5 years or so, I have been paying the mortgage… Read More »
Small Business Owners Must Justify Their Business Deductions To Claim Reduction of Income Available for Child Support
In 2020 the California Appellate court held that a trial court erred by allowing depreciation deductions taken on equipment and other assets used in self-employed husband’s businesses (as listed on his income tax returns) to reduce amount of income available for child support. The court stated the burden was not on wife to show that… Read More »