Can I Adopt My Grandchildren?

Can I Adopt My Grandchildren?
Over the past few decades, an increasing number of grandparents are raising their grandchildren. In fact, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, more than six million children are being raised by someone other their parents, and most are being raised by their grandparents. Some of the most common reasons grandparents must take over raising the children include when the parents: Have substance abuse problems Abandon, abuse, or neglect the children…
Read MoreHow to Fight Parental Alienation
What is parental alienation? During the course of a divorce, one parent may attempt to alienate his or her child from the other parent in order to earn a favorable ruling in their case. What are some signs of parental alienation? There are many ways in which one parent will attempt to alienate a child from the other parent. Some common methods include the following: Making inappropriate or…
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Grandparent Visitation Rights in California
If you’re like most grandparents, you likely have a strong loving attachment to your grandchildren. A divorce or separation between the child’s parents can have a devastating effect on your relationship with your grandchild. As a grandparent, it is important for you to know that in California, you as a grandparent can generally request reasonable visitation with your grandchild as long as the court finds that: You have a preexisting…
Read MoreCalifornia Child Support and Child Custody: Who Pays?
In My Child Custody Or Child Support Case, Can I Ask The Court to Have The Other Side Pay My Attorney’s Fees? The simple answer to this question is yes. In almost any family law case, including California child custody or child support cases, a petitioning party can seek attorney’s fees from the other party. The party requesting an order from the court with respect to their child custody…
Read MoreIf I move-away will I have to change my child custody agreement? (Family Law Code 7501)?
In child custody proceedings, parents are often faced with the decision of having to move to a different city, county, or even another state. If the parent that seeks to move away wishes to take his minor children with him or her, they must either receive the consent of the other parent or a court order. Move-Away Court Procedures In the past, the court first examined the procedural history of the case, and…
Read MoreHow can I get a divorce if I cannot contact my spouse?
Generally, your spouse must be served with divorce papers by personal delivery under California Code of Civil Procedure § 415.10.1 This means the papers must be handed to your spouse by a process server while in their physical presence. Most parties choose to have a friend, relative, or professional process server locate and serve their spouse. However, when you are unable to contact your spouse or do not know where they are…
Read MoreWhat Happens if I Miss a Family Law Court Appearance?
Failing to appear when summoned to court can have a disastrous impact on your case. Aside from preventing you from presenting an argument and presenting your evidence, missing a court appearance in family court could also subject you to civil penalties and/or fines. If you do not appear at your scheduled court date, you lose the right to argue on your own behalf or present evidence and the court will…
Read MoreThe 10-Year Rule: Divorce in Riverside
When determining issues such as the division of property, child support and spousal support, the Riverside family courts focus on a number of important facts regarding the divorcing couple’s marriage. Of these factors, one of the most important is the length of the marriage. How Long Was the Marriage? For purposes of determining the ending date of a marriage, the court will look at two factors: the date of the…
Read MoreIs Joint Custody Better for Your Child’s Health?
In a divorce case, the toughest decisions often center on the couple’s children, and there are so many questions that must be answered. Where will they live? Which school is best for them to attend? Which parent gets the children for holidays? Even under the most amicable of separations, these questions are difficult to answer. Child custody becomes such a challenge because parents in a divorce are grappling with these…
Read More5 Advantages to Filing for Divorce First
If you are considering dissolving your marriage, it is important to act quickly and hire an experienced Riverside divorce attorney to help guide you through the process. A divorce attorney will be aware of all the intricate legal procedures that are a part of divorce in Riverside. For example, there are a number of legal advantages to filing for divorce first. The party which files initially becomes the “petitioner” in…
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