Blended families have become increasingly common — and in many cases, stepparents are actively involved in the life of their stepchild. If your spouse has children from a previous marriage, you might have developed a strong emotional bond with them. Adoption can be the next logical step to legalize the parent-child relationship you both share. […]
Before you and your significant other get married, you may consider entering into a prenuptial agreement. Commonly referred to as a “prenup,” this written contract typically states each piece of property owned by the parties — and specifies the rights to that property in the event of divorce. It’s important to understand that prenups are […]
Who gets to keep the family home is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce. Not only is the house usually the most valuable asset a married couple owns, but there may also be many memories attached to it. Importantly, while dollar amounts can be easily distributed between spouses, negotiations concerning the […]
Child custody can be an emotional issue for everyone involved, especially if circumstances arise that warrant a modification. However, once an order has been issued by the court, you may be wondering whether you can change a child custody agreement, and the steps that must be taken in order to do so. It’s important to […]
Ending a marriage isn’t easy — and a divorce can be even more stressful and emotionally draining when it is contested. In California, a divorce may be contested for any number of reasons, including factual and legal disagreements. Typically, contested divorces arise when spouses do not agree on one or more of the important issues […]
California is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce. This means that neither party needs to establish specific grounds for divorce or show the other committed any kind of misconduct in order for the marriage to be dissolved. While adultery is one of the most common reasons spouses break up, it’s irrelevant to the […]
There are strict child support enforcement laws in California. Regardless of whether you are divorced, separated, or were never married, both parents have a legal responsibility to financially support their minor child. But unfortunately, a noncustodial parent may sometimes disregard their child support obligations and fail to make their monthly payments. It’s important to be […]
There are two types of divorces — those that are contested and those that are uncontested. Simply put, a contested divorce is one in which spouses do not agree on any number of issues that must be resolved before a judge will sign the decree. Generally, an uncontested divorce is one where the spouses can […]
If your marriage isn’t working out, you may be wondering whether divorce is the right choice for you. However, legal separation is another avenue you might consider. While the two processes closely resemble each other, the legal effects of each are very different. Neither option is necessarily better than the other — the pros and […]
It can be difficult to meet all your financial obligations each month. However, the consequences of not paying child support can be much greater than the repercussions that might come with failing to pay your other bills. Not only can disregarding a court order for child support result in civil sanctions, but criminal penalties can […]
