The new year brought a lot of changes for divorcing couples in 2019, especially here in California. Not only were major changes made to the tax code concerning spousal support payments, residents across the state of California welcomed Assembly Bill 2274. This bill finally gave judges in our state clear direction when it came to helping divorcing pet owners answer the all-important question: Who [Read more...] about Taking a ‘PAWS’: Issues To Consider With Pet Custody
Divorce and Social Security Benefits
Social security benefits provide older Americans with substantial financial support. Not every retired person in California receives a pension or has significant personal savings. Therefore, monthly social security deposits help single people and married couples alike. What happens after a divorce, though? Will it impact one’s social security [Read more...] about Divorce and Social Security Benefits
Four Tips for Starting your California Divorce
2020 is shaping up to be a popular year for divorce filings in California. If you are among those considering parting ways with your spouse, read on for four tips for starting your divorce. 1. Research and decide how you want to complete the divorce: There are many ways to complete a divorce. You can opt for doing [Read more...] about Four Tips for Starting your California Divorce
Our Divorce Mediation Didn’t Work Out. Where Do We Go From Here?
Many couples begin the divorce process in mediation. Mediation can be a great option for couples who are still able to work together to make agreements regarding their children, finances, and property. For others mediation might start off well but over time the couple is no longer able to make agreements and need more support to move forward. Where do we go from [Read more...] about Our Divorce Mediation Didn’t Work Out. Where Do We Go From Here?
Can a Divorce be Friendly?
For most people, friendly is not the first term that comes to mind when thinking about divorce. However, there are many benefits to keeping friendliness an option when deciding how to handle the process of divorce. Collaborative divorces are completed outside of the courthouse and center on the idea of remaining friendly during the divorce and afterward. 1. Friendly divorce can save you [Read more...] about Can a Divorce be Friendly?
How long does it take to divorce in California?
This is highly case dependent, but the shortest possible time to complete a divorce in California is six months plus one day. Although six months is the earliest time you can be restored to the status of single, many divorces take much longer. The good news is that there are ways to make the process move quickly so that the divorce is finished as close to the six-month minimum as possible. [Read more...] about How long does it take to divorce in California?
How does the Collaborative Divorce process help parents in California?
Even after divorce, parents can rarely sever all ties to the other parent. As co-parents they often have many years left to work together raising their children. This requires extensive communication, a willingness to make decisions together, and the grace to come to shared events for their children. With this in mind, it can be beneficial for parents to consider peacefully ending their [Read more...] about How does the Collaborative Divorce process help parents in California?
Is it possible to have a truly respectful divorce?
Divorce can be a highly emotional and expensive process. California and other states offer collaborative divorce as a less adversarial option than a traditional divorce. In collaborative divorce the parties work with attorneys and other professionals outside of a courtroom to resolve their issues. As part of the collaborative divorce process, each spouse works with his or her respective [Read more...] about Is it possible to have a truly respectful divorce?
Can You Stop a Divorce Once its Started?
Contrary to what many people think, filing for divorce does not automatically end a marriage. While starting the divorce process with the Court helps people move forward, the fact is that becoming unmarried does not happen overnight. In California, the waiting period to become unmarried is six months. The six month clock starts ticking when a spouse is served with the petition and [Read more...] about Can You Stop a Divorce Once its Started?
Collaboration, Cooperation and Communication during Divorce
There are a number of difficult decisions that need to be made during dissolution of marriage, from child support to property division. After the decision to divorce is made (In California – it only takes one party), the next important decision to be made involves the type of divorce process you and your soon-to-be-ex spouse will use. The traditional choice is the [Read more...] about Collaboration, Cooperation and Communication during Divorce
Collaboration can Help Secure Good Solutions for Bad Situations
When people get married, they typically don’t expect to get divorced. They don’t expect that they’ll fall out of love with their spouse or become so bitter and angry that they can’t even be in the same room as the other person. And they don’t expect that they might do or say things they would later regret. During a divorce, good people can make some bad decisions. However, the fact that you [Read more...] about Collaboration can Help Secure Good Solutions for Bad Situations
Is There a Right Way to Divorce?
It seems like everywhere we look, we are being told that there is a right way to do something and a wrong way to do something. For instance, stories about divorce are more available than ever. We read about dramatic celebrity divorces ending in multi-million dollar settlements, the quiet, amicable divorce of two strangers who took a picture that went viral and everything in between. And for [Read more...] about Is There a Right Way to Divorce?