Paternity is a major subsection of family law in California. Every day, people file cases with the family courts in California seeking to establish parental rights, challenge paternity, contest a child’s adoption or modify a child support order. Cases involving paternity disputes can be difficult to handle alone. Luckily, you have the right to…
A number of states are moving toward some form of “shared” or “joint” custody as a baseline when determining parental arrangements after divorce. In other states, these may be arrangements that a judge decides upon or which parents agree to. Either way, the trend is toward some kind of shared parenting arrangement. But it…
by Debra Schoenberg When a couple decides to divorce, one important question I’m typically asked is how long does spousal support last? A divorced Huntington Beach man is championing a new ballot initiative that would curtail payments to former spouses to a maximum of five years following a divorce or legal separation. Current California…
By Debra Schoenberg Thanksgiving just passed and now Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years are just around the corner. For divorced or separated couples that means tension, drama, arguments, and more. Children of divorced parents already face a number of challenges, and the holidays only complicate matters further. Even for couples not battling over custody,…
By Debra Schoenberg Separation and divorce are a painful process that disrupts many families. When parents decide to separate, there are several reasons why they may consider a model of separation called “nesting”. No matter how you spin it, getting divorced is tough — especially if you have kids. Even if the decision to part…
By Debra Schoenberg Going through a divorce is emotionally taxing especially if there are children involved. Child custody battles are typically the most contentious part of the divorce process. A new report, by the National Parents Organization, finds most states are failing children after divorce because there’s a lack of meaningful legislation that encourages divorced…
Written by Debra Schoenberg October 7, 2019 Marriage is a beautiful union until things turn sour. Marriage takes a lot of work, and sometimes things don’t go as planned and you find yourself going down a bumpy road of separation from your spouse. The divorce process is a complicated and stressful situation, and it…
A prenuptial agreement (also called a premarital agreement or prenup) is a legal contract two parties sign before they enter into the institution of marriage. The contract describes what will happen with the couple’s assets and debts should the marriage end in divorce. A prenuptial agreement can be a wise choice for couples of…
One of the most stressful aspects of any divorce case is the child custody arrangement and visitation schedule involved. When divorced parents share custody of their children, the judge reviewing the case will take multiple factors into account to develop a custody arrangement in the best interests of the couple’s children. Ultimately, the court…
In 2016, an estimated 676,000 children suffered abuse and neglect in the United States, and 1,750 children died as a result. Entrusted with the children’s safety, Child Protective Services (CPS) serves more than three million children each year. With more than 35 years experience practicing family law in California, Schoenberg Family Law Group holds…