What is Quasi-Community Property and How Does it Affect Your Divorce?
What is Quasi-Community Property and How Does it Affect Your Divorce?
Living in a community property state such as California means agreeing to the property division laws of its family court system. Under California Family Code Sections 760 and 761 any property or assets acquired during a valid marriage will be divided equally between the spouses during a divorce.1 However, what happens if your property was acquired in another state but you file for divorce in California? The California Court can…
Read More9 Advantages of Being the First to File for Divorce
You and your spouse may be going through some turmoil in your marriage. Lack of communication, disagreements on parenting, and fights over trivial matters are all at the center of this turmoil. At what point does divorce cross your mind? Many individuals going through a divorce describe being completely caught off guard by their spouses who filed for divorce. You may not have felt that the issues plaguing your marriage…
Read MoreCould the Los Angeles Clippers Be Community Property? (Family Code Section 770)
Over the past several weeks, critics have voiced their opinions against Sterling’s prejudiced remarks. Now that Sterling has agreed to the sale of the team, millions of Americans can take a sigh of relief. However, lost in all of the drama is the fact that Donald Sterling’s wife, Shelly Sterling, could have changed the fate of the LA Clippers. While NBA owners were looking to vote to have Donald Sterling…
Read MoreIs A Life Insurance Policy Considered Community Property? (Frankie Valli v. Randy Valli, Los Angeles Super. Ct. No. BD414038)
Frankie Valli and his wife Randy Valli separated after a 20-year marriage. Before divorcing, Frankie used funds from the couple’s joint bank account to buy a $3.75 million insurance policy. They named Randy, as the sole owner of the policy and its beneficiary.1 The couple decided to purchase the policy when Frankie was in the hospital due to a heart problem. In case he died, they decided to put it…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Marital Debt and Divorce
When starting the sometimes long and difficult divorce process from your significant other, some things quickly come to mind: child custody, spousal support, and property division. However, one thing your divorce attorney may not tell you is that the debt you acquired during the marriage will likely follow you after divorce.1 If your name is on any mortgage or car loan, you will likely be responsible for these debts after…
Read MoreCan a Sperm Donor Petition for Child Custody? (Family Code Sections 7611, 7613)
Under California Family Code section 7613, if a woman conceives a child using sperm donated by a man who is not her husband, the woman’s spouse is treated under law as if he or she is the child’s natural parent. A man who donates sperm to a licensed physician or licensed sperm bank in this situation is not considered the child’s natural parent, unless otherwise agreed to by the woman…
Read MoreMrs. Doubtfire’s Antics Would Be No Laughing Matter in a Child Custody Dispute
Robin Williams’ 1993 comedy Mrs. Doubtfire was one of the biggest films of his career. The move is still shown on TV to this day and a sequel was recently announced. William’s humorous, yet emotional portrayal of an out of work actor moonlighting as an elderly British nanny to spend more time with his children won rave reviews and sympathy from movie goers. In real life, the actions of Williams’…
Read MoreHow Can Restraining Orders Affect Spousal Support?
Domestic violence is a common issue that arises during divorce. Oftentimes, a criminal investigation must take place in order to prove that the alleged domestic violence actually occurred. This typically slows down family law proceedings. For example, what happens when one party during a divorce cannot afford to move away from his/her former spouse and into a safe environment, but cannot attain spousal support due to the ongoing criminal investigation…
Read More7 Important Things to Consider When Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
Nobody imagines undergoing the difficult divorce process when they meet their significant other. Of course, after evaluating your marriage and your situation, sometimes it may seem like the only option. If you have given yourself and your spouse every last chance to make the marriage work, and divorce is the last resort, the next step is to find an attorney. Your divorce lawyer is someone that you should be able…
Read More11 Things to Consider Before Filing for Divorce
Divorce is one of the most difficult situations for any couple to go through. Most of us find the person we love and look forward to spending the rest of our lives with that person. Of course, things do not always go as planned. People and circumstances change, and often we are left looking for a way out. Record-high divorce rates in the United States suggest that more people are…
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