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 »
The Divorce Process in California Explained
A PRIMER ON THE DIVORCE PROCESS IN CALIFORNIA Just like any lawsuit, a divorce case has a beginning. a middle and an end. 1. The Beginning In California a divorce case begins with a summons and petition of divorce and a response to the petition. In cases with minor children, certain data such as the age, birthdate, and residence of… Read More »
How Are Student Loans Divided by the Court in California Divorces?
Question: ” I am getting divorced in Los Angeles County. My ex wants me to take on half her student loan debt. They finished graduate school six months be fore we separated. We were married 10 years. Am I responsible for a portion of their student loan debt?” Answer: You are not responsible for her student… 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 »
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 »
Why Date of Separation Is Important in a California Divorce
I am often asked questions relating to the date of separation in California divorces. The date of separation is important to the division of community assets and debts in the divorce. It’s also important in determining the long term spousal support. Here’s an informative example: Question: My husband took out a big loan from his… Read More »
Paying Off Debts in a California Divorce
Here’s an example of a question I often receive: Before my marriage I had a 750-credit score. Now I’m getting a divorce and my score is around 500 due to foreclosure and a pile of charge offs in my name because she had bad credit when we got married and everything was put in my… Read More »
What Is the Difference Between a Prenup and a Premarital Agreement?
There’s no difference. The phrases prenuptial agreement and premarital agreement and the word “prenup” all refer to the same thing: an agreement signed prior to marriage which contracts to modify the rights and obligations of parties from the statutory rules which govern the characterization of real and personal property as community property, the division of… Read More »