How Silence Can Help Litigants Obtain Their Goals in Family Law Court
In Family Law Litigation Silence Can Be an Effective Tool. Here’s how to use it. In family law litigation to get what you want, try closing your mouth. A well-deployed silence can radiate confidence and connection. The trouble is, so many of us are awful at it. We struggle to sit in silence with others,… Read More »
What to Do If You Receive Paper Work Asking You to Pay Child Support
Don’t Ignore Papers from a Child Support Agency Received a Notice from Child Support Agency? If you have received a Summons and Complaint from a county department of child support services in the mail, you have 30 days from when you received it to complete the Answer form included in the packet and file it… Read More »
How to Present Evidence in a Child Custody Case in California
QUESTION: How do you document your evidence in a child custody case? How do you organize it and present it to the Court? I am currently in a child custody case with my ex. I have numerous text messages and screenshots showing relevant events and facts I believe the judge should consider at our child… Read More »
Accused of Domestic Violence in California? Take These Steps to Prepare
Here are some steps that a person accused of domestic violence in California should take prior to the hearing: Understand the charges: The first step is to understand the charges against you. You should know what you are being accused of and what the potential consequences are. You may face criminal charges and/or civil charges… Read More »
Can I Obtain an Ex Parte Emergency Order if My Ex Does Not Follow the Child Custody Orders?
I am often asked about Ex Parte Applications for Child Custody Orders. If you have heard the phrase Ex Parte, but aren’t sure what it means read this post. Here is a question I received today: Question: How do I word my ex parte application for a child custody order modification? My ex has 1st,… 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 »
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 »
Child Custody Orders Can Be Changed in Los Angeles and Orange County Courts
Child custody orders can be changed by making a written request to the Court that issued the original child custody order. This is called a Request for Orders and is made using the FL-300 Request for Orders form. This is the same form one uses to obtain an initial child custody order. CUSTODY MODIFICATIONS DURING… Read More »
How to Obtain an Order from the Court to Compel a Spouse to Contribute to Attorney Fees in a Divorce?
The Court can order one spouse to pay or contribute to the payment of attorneys fees for the other spouse in a divorce if there is a need. The law that authorizes this is Family Code Section 2030. The purpose of a § 2030 fee award is to ensure a party has sufficient resources to… Read More »