Articles Posted in California

The Role of a Forensic Accountant in Property Division

The Role of a Forensic Accountant in Property Division If you’ve ever heard the term forensic accountant, you may or may not understand exactly what their job responsibilities are. While they do not solve murders by poring over their clients’ bank records, their job is important in uncovering financial crimes or discovering hidden records and transactions. Forensic accountants use their auditing, accounting, and investigative skills to discover things within financial records that just don’t seem right.

In corporate law, forensic accountants are used to find embezzlement, fraud, and other white color crimes. They prepare detailed reports of their findings for use in investigations, litigation, testimony, and as evidence. Forensic accountants in family law, however, play a slightly different role. Family law attorneys typically bring in forensic accountants in high-asset divorce cases when one spouse suspects the other may be hiding assets.

Continue reading

Cracking the Code on Attorney/Client Privilege

Cracking the Code on Attorney/Client Privilege Many people don’t realize that the attorney/client privilege applies to all attorney/client relationships, even those existing within family law. For instance, when a spouse hires a divorce attorney, they should feel comfortable disclosing the full truth to their attorney without fear that it will be divulged to other parties, even to their spouse’s opposing legal team.

While the attorney/client privilege is a pillar of the American judicial system, there are some instances when states have to refine the law and add exceptions to the rule. We’ve outlined the client/attorney privilege as it affects California family law.
Continue reading

Can California Child Custody Mediation Work for You?

Can California Child Custody Mediation Work for You? For many parents who disagree on child custody, family law mediation can be a step in the right direction. Mediation is a last-chance effort to establish agreeable terms and avoid litigation.

In many cases, parties enter into mediation hoping to find common ground regarding child custody, but what they find is that they come out of mediation better communicators. Learning the basic skills of productive communication can be life-changing for some parents.

Continue reading

4 Ways to Protect Your Assets During a Divorce in California

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 can be helpful to understand the top five ways to protect your assets during a divorce in California to avoid these situations.

Continue reading

Top 3 Tips for Navigating Child Custody Disputes in California

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 you were married with minor children, it’s likely that child custody came up as a term of the divorce. If you’re struggling with the terms of your child custody outcome, here are several tips for navigating disputes in California.

Continue reading

How Do I File for Divorce in California If My Spouse Lives in Another State or Country?

How Do I File for Divorce in California If My Spouse Lives in Another State or Country?Filing for divorce in California can be a fairly straightforward process, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. If one spouse is living out of the state, you are likely wondering, “How do I file for divorce in California if my spouse lives in another state or country?” Fortunately, it’s still possible to file for divorce in California if your spouse isn’t currently living there as long as you still meet the minimum requirements and follow the right steps.

Navigating the California legal system can be confusing without having a legal background. That’s why it’s beneficial to hire a local divorce attorney to guide you through the process.
Continue reading

Three Ways to Legally End Your Marriage or Domestic Partnership in California

Three Ways to Legally End Your Marriage or Domestic Partnership in CaliforniaDissolving 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 the others, which is why it’s important to understand your options.

No matter which method you choose for separating from your spouse or domestic partner, it’s advantageous to understand the nuances of each process. By working with a California family lawyer, you can explore each option in depth and choose the right avenue for your situation.
Continue reading

Do I Have to Go to Court to Get a Divorce in California?

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 can feel overwhelming to go through the process. One of the first questions you may ask yourself is, “Do I have to go to court to get a divorce in California?”

The short answer is no. You do not have to go to court to get divorced in California if the case is uncontested. This means both spouses agree on all aspects of the divorce, including child support, custody, property division, spousal support, and any other relevant factors pertaining to your relationship.

Continue reading

Palimony in California

Palimony in CaliforniaA partner in a long-term unmarried relationship may question their eligibility for financial support like alimony upon the relationship’s termination. California refers to financial support for unmarried partners as palimony. Courts do not automatically award palimony like they do spousal support, and establishing entitlement to palimony in California requires complex legal evidence.

Individuals from long-term, non-marital relationships need to understand California’s palimony laws to protect their financial security after separation.

Continue reading

How To Co-Parent With a Difficult Ex

How To Co-Parent With a Difficult ExSeparated parents face challenges in co-parenting, but it becomes almost unmanageable when dealing with an especially troublesome ex. Shared custody and decision-making become emotionally exhausting when your ex-partner demonstrates uncooperative behavior and manipulation while creating continuous conflict. We can give you tips about how to co-parent with a difficult ex.

In California, family courts place the best interests of the child first and maintain that successful co-parenting, regardless of difficulties, is essential to their well-being. Creating a stable environment for your children becomes possible when you understand your legal rights and establish firm boundaries and conflict-resolution strategies.

Continue reading

Contact Information