Nancy J. Bickford

Things to Consider Before Filing for Divorce

Things to Consider Before Filing for Divorce

A divorce is a major decision that will change many things about your life. There should be no shame in asking for and filing for a divorce, but it is worthwhile to ensure that a divorce is truly the next step that you want to take. Discussing divorce with your spouse before you are fully convinced it is the right step can cause irreparable harm to your marriage and drive it to divorce regardless. There are many things to consider before bringing up the discussion with your spouse or filing the papers.

Continue reading

How Will Property Be Divided in a Divorce in California?

How Will Property Be Divided in a Divorce in California?

A divorce is not typically an easy choice to make, especially when the couple has been together for many years and amassed a large amount of property since the beginning of the marriage. One major concern for the two parties getting a divorce is how this property will be divided between them. Divorce is meant to separate the combined lives of two people, but it may not always be simple and clear how that process will work.

How a divorce will proceed and how property will be divided depends on which state the marriage took place in. There are two different types of states: equitable distribution states and community property states.

Continue reading

How Does the California Family Court Address Criminal Behavior?

How Does the California Family Court Address Criminal Behavior?

It’s unfortunate that thousands of people across the United States experience various forms of domestic violence each year. Many victims endure protracted periods of extended abuse, and others suffer acute traumatic injuries from domestic violence. In the event you or a loved one has experienced domestic violence of any kind, the incident is likely to generate many possible legal proceedings in different areas of law.

The state enforces strict criminal codes that outline penalties for domestic violence-related offenses, so anyone who commits an act of domestic violence is likely to face prosecution in a California criminal court. Additionally, domestic violence can easily be a precursor to a divorce and a child custody determination. When a spouse and/or parent has committed domestic violence, they face criminal charges and severe repercussions through the family court system.

Continue reading

How to Resolve Contested Divorce Mediation

How to Resolve Contested Divorce Mediation

Many divorcing couples in California are taking advantage of alternative dispute resolution to save time and money on their divorce cases. Divorce mediation has quickly grown to be the most popular form of alternative dispute resolution, allowing divorcing spouses to resolve their dissolutions under the supervision and direction of a neutral mediator. However, while many choose alternative dispute resolution to avoid the time investment, stress, and expense that divorce litigation demands, the reality is that even divorce mediation can devolve into a hotly contested legal battle.

It’s important to remember that divorce mediation only requires both you and your spouse to be willing to negotiate. Even if the two of you have trouble having the most basic civil discussions, you can still take advantage of the benefits of divorce mediation when you have legal counsel you can trust.

Continue reading

Common Financial Mistakes Related to Divorce in California

Common Financial Mistakes Related to Divorce in California

Divorce can be one of the most impactful events of your life, and any divorce is likely to carry far-reaching financial implications for both spouses. So, if you are bracing for divorce proceedings, it’s natural to worry about your financial future and your responsibilities when it comes to resolving your divorce. The best thing you can do to ensure the most positive experience with your dissolution proceedings is to hire an attorney, and with their help, you can avoid some of the common mistakes people make during and after their divorces.

The attorneys at Bickford Blado & Botros have years of experience guiding clients through family court, and we know the financial challenges you are likely to face in your efforts to reach the best divorce resolution possible. With our help, you can approach the difficult financial issues you face with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Continue reading

Collaborative Divorce Vs. Divorce Mediation in California Family Law

Collaborative Divorce Vs. Divorce Mediation in California Family Law

Ending a marriage can be one of the most challenging experiences of a person’s life, and when many people imagine divorce, they think of emotionally charged courtroom battles, strict and impersonal divorce order terms, and many uncertainties regarding their futures. So, if you have reached the point where you know you need to end your marriage or if your spouse has filed for divorce, it’s natural to have many pressing legal questions.

You do not need to resolve your divorce entirely through litigation, and many divorcing couples opt for alternative dispute resolution to avoid the stress and expense of divorce court. While you cannot resolve every divorce-related issue privately, taking advantage of alternative dispute resolution can be tremendously beneficial to you and your spouse in many ways.

Continue reading

Understanding California’s Community Property Law in Divorce

Understanding California’s Community Property Law in Divorce

California is one of nine states that uses a community property statute to resolve property division in divorce. This means that all marital property in a divorce is subject to a strict 50/50 division in every divorce filed in the state. Some people believe the community property standard to be overbearing, often forcing divorcing couples to liquidate assets to divide the proceeds. Others carry misconceptions about what community property means and what is subject to division in divorce.

If you are preparing to divorce in California, it’s vital to understand the value that an experienced divorce attorney can provide in your case. Community property law may seem overly strict, but you still have the right to keep all your separate property in a divorce. A good attorney can help you retain your separate property ownership rights, complete your financial disclosure packet as quickly as possible, and approach property division with greater confidence, helping you secure the most favorable outcome.

Continue reading

Benefits of Legal Counsel in a High Net Worth Divorce

Benefits of Legal Counsel in a High Net Worth Divorce

Any divorce in California can impose severe financial concerns for both spouses, but couples who control substantial assets and complex investments tend to have the most difficult times in divorce proceedings. A “high net worth divorce” was traditionally any divorce involving a couple with a net worth of more than one million dollars. By today’s standards, a “high net worth divorce” is likely to involve a marital net worth in the tens of millions or more.

If you are a high-net-worth individual preparing to end your marriage in California, it is natural to have concerns about the overall financial impact of your dissolution. It’s understandable to want to preserve as much personal wealth as possible and to only part with what you must under California state law. Your situation may be more complex than it appears at first, so it is always best to approach divorce proceedings with the help of an attorney you can trust.

Continue reading

Contempt in California Family Court: Causes and Effects

Contempt in California Family Court: Causes and Effects

If you are expecting to participate in any family court case in the near future, or if you recently finalized any type of family court case, such as a divorce or custody agreement, it’s essential to abide by your court order at all times. The term “contempt of court” applies to any incident in which a party beholden to a lawful court order fails to uphold their responsibilities dictated by the order. While mistakes sometimes happen, this is very different from a willful refusal to comply with a court order.

The penalties for contempt of court in California can be severe, and they are issued on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the judges overseeing these cases. In most cases, family court judges seek to assign penalties that reflect the nature of the offense in question. Whether you are facing contempt of court or need to file contempt proceedings against another party, you need legal counsel you can trust.

Continue reading

Determining Whether Divorce or Separation Is Best for You in California

Determining Whether Divorce or Separation Is Best for You in California

Ending a marriage is a major decision, and it is not one that anyone should make without careful consideration of the implications. Some marriages slowly deteriorate over time, while others experience acute problems due to the specific actions of one or both spouses. Ultimately, marital problems can arise in many ways and sometimes severely, but divorce does not have to be the automatic response to these issues. For some couples, divorce may not be an option due to their beliefs or medical needs.

Legal separation can potentially provide the benefits you expect from divorce without the finality of dissolution. However, to complete a legal separation in California, you must be prepared to address the same issues you and your spouse would need to address in divorce proceedings. The right attorney is invaluable in this situation as they can help you make more informed decisions about your separation proceedings.

Continue reading

Contact Information