Divorce

If you are in an unhappy marriage and have decided that you want to get out, in California, the way for you to obtain a divorce is by going to court. In the state, you don't have a responsibility to prove that either you or your spouse did anything wrong. This is...

In most California divorces, determining the value of the family home can be one of the most contentious issues. Two issues generally arise: how much is the home worth, and how should this value be divided. Obviously, the question of price must be answered before the...

Because of California’s laws, a Californian who has a 401(k) through their employer may have to divide it equally with their spouse. Basically, that part of the 401(k) that is legally community property belongs to both spouses equally. Unless the spouses make other...

It is important that both parties to a divorce have access to relevant information and evidence about the other party. For example, parties need financial information to evaluate the proper amount of child or spousal support. Information about assets and debts is...

You may not be looking forward to the divorce process, even if you want your marriage to end. The idea of filing a lot of paperwork, going through the discovery process, multiple court appearances and finally a hearing can seem daunting. Did you know that, under...

Divorce rates in the country have been slowly falling over the past decade in all but one category: Couples aged 50 and over. So-called “gray divorce” rates are increasing and while divorce almost never ends in one’s emotional and financial situations improving, gray...

If you are contemplating a divorce in California, you have probably heard that this is a community property state. What, exactly, does that mean? Understanding the basics about property division in California can be crucial to your short-term and long-term financial...

There is this idea in our common culture that all abuse victims need to do is leave. We see it on talk shows, in television shows and reflected in movies. And, unfortunately, even in the era of #metoo, this “just leave” mentality is still pervasive. However, when...

Marriage equality is a federal mandate in all 50 states, including California. However, our state also has the option for couples to choose domestic partnerships as well, including those that formed that partnership before same-sex marriage was legal. Now that...