It’s back-to-school season—a time most kids (and many parents) greet with excitement, anticipation, wistfulness, nerves, and even a bit of dread. It’s hard to say goodbye to summer and return to the structure of classes and extracurricular activities. There’s so much to remember and prepare. It can take days or weeks to settle into…
Raising your kids is the most important and rewarding job you’ll ever do. Parenting brings immeasurable love, joy, and satisfaction. It’s also one of the most challenging tasks out there—and that’s true whether you do it as a married couple, single, or separated person. Still, there is no question that divorced parents face specific…
The fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is ongoing and multifaceted. One area that has recently gained significant attention is gender-affirming care for minors, particularly transgender children. This issue has become a focal point in the ongoing culture wars, with a surge in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation aiming to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Several…
The end of a marriage is full of raw and intense emotions, complicated logistics, weighty decisions, extreme busyness, enormous life changes, hard conversations, worries about the future, and concern for your children. It’s understandable if you’re feeling anxious, uncertain, and overwhelmed. At the same time, however, the personal mess and muddy feelings induced by…
Divorce is deeply personal. On top of the heartache and overwhelming logistics, you feel vulnerable and exposed. We all have things in our lives we’re not proud of—bad decisions, moments we’ve not been at our best. And let’s face it- a crumbling marriage doesn’t always bring out our highest nature. It’s understandable if you…
The ending of a marriage is one of the most challenging events a human being can go through. The split affects every area of your life—family, finances, friendships, and plans. Divorce is associated with stress levels comparable to the death of a spouse or loved one. The life-changing event profoundly impacts physical and mental…
Just before the 4th of July holiday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new bill into law that set off some big fireworks among his divorced constituents—some celebratory and some outraged. After years of heated controversy and vetoing several similar bills (most recently in 2022), DeSantis has enacted a measure to overhaul alimony in…
The relationship between grandparent and grandchild can be among life’s most special, close, and rewarding bonds. Grandparents are often a tremendous source of fun and surprises, love and affection, support and comfort—and happy memories that will be treasured forever. Today, grandparents are often integral to a child’s upbringing in more than emotional ways. Although…
Over many decades, portrayals of divorce (real and fictional) in media and entertainment have reflected and affected our view of it. Those depictions may impact couples and families going through a divorce—in helpful or harmful ways. Everyone is familiar with the “War of the Roses”-style divorce: a flat-out, no-holds-barred burn-it-all-down battle. Then there’s the…
Divorce is a messy, painful, complex, contentious process that does not always bring out the best in people. In a community property state such as California, all assets accumulated between the date of marriage and the date of separation are divided equally in a divorce. Despite a few exceptions for certain types of gifts, inheritances, assets…
