California is a no-fault divorce state. There is no need to prove wrongdoing or “grounds” to end your marriage—If one or both partners want out, they can be granted a divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The court will not consider a reason or fault. But that doesn’t mean your actions don’t matter. Regarding other…
Divorce is challenging in any situation, but co-parenting a child with special needs adds layers of complexity that require careful consideration and deliberate planning. For parents of children with special needs, the stress of going through a divorce is significantly amplified. Concerns for the child’s stability and future well-being can complicate the process. When…
No one will say it’s easy. Learning to co-parent with your ex is one of the most challenging parts of divorce when you have a family. There’s no foolproof roadmap, no one-size-fits-all solution. You won’t always get it right, especially in the beginning when the emotional temperature is likely running high. But it’s important…
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a very serious matter. It endangers yourself and others. Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death on U.S. roadways, accounting for nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities—well over 10,000 each year, plus 300,000+ injuries. Almost 70% of those accidents involve drivers with more than…
The pandemic has caused many individuals and families to seek alternative living and working arrangements. For families with young children, this may mean moving to a new location to find a better cost of living and work-life balance. However, this may complicate custody orders for divorced families. California’s laws governing move-away cases are complicated…
Although a custody battle can be one of the most complicated, hotly contested, and emotional aspects of a divorce, in the end, even in high-conflict situations, most custody agreements proceed without incident. But there are times when the nightmare scenario occurs- an angry, disgruntled, or unstable parent runs away with the child or hides…
Custody decisions are among the most difficult, delicate, frightening, and painful parts of a divorce process. Even the legal language surrounding it is incredibly fraught—after the agonizing decision that you’ll no longer live together, the idea that one parent would have only” visitation” can feel heartbreaking. When you get divorced, your relationship as a…
In years past, there was a presumption in custody battles that children should be with their mother, and therefore mothers almost automatically got custody. Today this scenario is no longer the rule, but it’s a common misconception. It’s important to know that California law does not favor either parent. Instead, the court must always…
For divorced couples, sorting through the details of custody and parenting agreements is a challenge in the best of times. But nearly two years into a global pandemic, Covid-19 is still adding new layers of complication to an already difficult process. Covid-19 news and concerns change almost daily, and relevant legal considerations are evolving….
Sorting out custody and visitation can be one of the most challenging, contentious, and emotional aspects of any divorce. The court’s job is always to protect the best interests of the child. In many cases, this means that the parenting agreement or custody and visitation order establishes some level of shared responsibility and time to…
