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…
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…
The Legal Rights of Modern Reproduction Nowadays, building a family can look different than it did years ago. With advances in modern medicine, there are options for those who either cannot conceive or prefer not to do so the traditional way. With IVF, donor sperm and eggs, frozen embryos, and…
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,…
The Rise of Birdnesting When a marriage ends, one of the hardest questions for separating parents is: where will the children call home? The traditional model usually means kids split their time between two households, which can create an upheaval in routines, friendships, and emotional stability. However, a growing trend…
Top 3 Tips for Navigating Child Custody Disputes in California After you finalize a divorce, the hope is that you won’t have to deal with issues with your ex-spouse any longer. Unfortunately, divorce isn’t always the end for some people. This can be especially true when children are involved. If…
What to Do If Your Ex-Spouse Is Not Paying Spousal Support in California After you finalize a divorce, you want to believe that it’s the end of overcoming challenges with your ex-spouse. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, especially if children are involved. If your ex-spouse is not following the…
Three Ways to Legally End Your Marriage or Domestic Partnership in California Dissolving a marriage or domestic partnership can be stressful and challenging, no matter the circumstances. There are three ways to legally end your marriage or domestic partnership in California. Depending on your situation, one may work better than…
Do I Have to Go to Court to Get a Divorce in California? Going through a divorce can be a daunting experience, even if you and your spouse agree on everything. Divorce, or dissolution, is one of three ways to end a marriage or domestic partnership in California, and it…