Voluntary Declaration of Parentage in San Diego A voluntary declaration of parentage (VDOP) is a legal form that creates parentage for a child in California outside of the court system. When both parents sign a VDOP, they both attest that they are the child’s legal parents, which gives the father/second…
Dividing Community Property in a California Divorce Dividing community property in a California divorce is a crucial step in the process of legally ending a marriage. As California is a community property state, most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned and must be divided equally…
Understanding How California Determines Spousal Support Payments Spousal support can be an important part of your California divorce, helping the spouse with a lower income maintain financial stability during and after separation. It’s important for the paying and receiving spouse to understand how California determines spousal support payments. The court…
Non-Traditional Families and the Law Families today don’t always follow the “Mom-Dad-Kids” template. Around San Diego, you’ll find LGBTQ+ co-parents, polyamorous families, platonic co-parents, cohabiting exes, stepparent blends, and chosen families of every kind. Yet, California’s legal framework, which is built largely for traditional two-parent, biological scenarios, can leave these…
The Reality of Divorce PTSD Divorce is often talked about as a legal process, referencing a set of documents, court dates, and custody schedules. However, for many adults, divorce can shake their sense of safety, identity, and trust, leaving emotional wounds that feel more like trauma than just heartache. Legally,…
4 Ways to Protect Your Assets During a Divorce in California One of the important steps in finalizing a divorce is determining how to divide property between the two spouses. In some cases, the division of property can be simple and straightforward. However, it’s possible for complications to arise. It…
What to Expect Out of a Divorce in California You’ve been served divorce papers, and you’re not sure what to do next. Navigating a divorce can be stressful and confusing due to the emotional implications of the process alone. Moreover, every divorce is different, so it can be difficult to…
The Role of Mental Health Evaluations in Custody Disputes In high-conflict custody cases or divorces, the court’s main concern is the well-being of the child. In order to determine how important matters like visitations and custody are allotted, the courts may evaluate the mental health of one or both parents…
The Role of a Guardian Ad Litem in Family Court California’s family courts place a high priority on the safety and welfare of children. In certain situations, particularly with high-conflict child custody cases or that involve allegations of abuse, a judge may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) to advocate…
Top 6 Questions to Bring to Your Family Law Consultation Finding the right family law attorney can make all the difference when it comes to resolving your divorce or child custody dispute on favorable terms. The consultation can provide some of the most important insights into a prospective lawyer. This…