San Diego Divorce Attorneys Blog
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 parent all of the rights and responsibilities as if a court had ordered parentage.
In San Diego, most voluntary declarations of parentage are signed at the hospital at the time of birth, but may also be signed later at an office. It is useful for California parents to understand the VDOP process, where to sign a VDOP, and the legal effects of signing to help protect parental rights and provide benefits to the child.
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 modern families vulnerable.
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, people tend to focus on the logistical divorce process and assume it is over after these tasks are completed. However, there is a reality to divorce PTSD that affects many divorced individuals.
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.
California Family Court is conscious of the need for assistance and programs that address the issues of domestic violence. At the same time, whenever possible, they want to allow every child to have the opportunity to have a relationship with both parents, despite the presence of domestic violence. The interest of the child must be held paramount to all other considerations, as well as the protection of the child’s primary caregiver.
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.
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 terms of your divorce, contact a California family law attorney. A trusted family lawyer can help you figure out how to proceed with certain situations, such as what to do if your ex-spouse is not paying spousal support in California.
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.