Filing for divorce can seem complicated, so we’re here to help. Here is a step-by-step guide to the California divorce process. Filing And Service Of Petition The California divorce process starts with the filing of a summons, petition for dissolution of marriage and related forms. Under California divorce law, the filing spouse is known as…
Preliminary financial disclosures are a necessary step in the California divorce process. Their main purpose is to compel both sides to put all of their financial information on the table, to facilitate settlement of financial issues and to ensure an equal division of community property comprising the marital estate. This article provides an overview of…
One of the first questions arising in a divorce involves the living arrangements of the respective spouses pending finalization of the proceeding. Usually, it is difficult for the spouses to live under the same roof while the divorce case is pending. This article discusses the factors considered by the Court when making the determination of…
If you want someone to be able to represent your interests in a financial, business, family, or health related matter or transaction, a power of attorney serves the purpose of legalizing the transfer of authority from you to the agent on whom the power is conferred. This article provides an overview of the requirements for…
Both parents are legally obligated to provide financial support for their children to cover a child’s living and medical expenses. This payment is called “child support.” Here is an overview of the factors a court considers when deciding a request to award or modify child support, the Department of Child Support Services’ role in the…
As time goes by, a legal custody arrangement involving a minor child may not be appropriate or feasible for a variety of reasons. Custody arrangements are modifiable as the needs of the parties and the minor children change over time. This article provides an overview of the steps needed to modify a legal custody order…
There are many steps to filing and prosecuting a civil lawsuit in California. This article provides an overview of those steps to help you better understand the process. Pre-Suit Considerations There are a several issues to consider before filing a lawsuit. One major consideration is whether you have a meritorious case, to be analyzed with…
What happens if a person leaves a beneficiary an inheritance by way of a will, but the beneficiary then dies before the person making the will? Are the beneficiary’s heirs entitled to the inheritance, or does the inheritance revert back to the will maker, to be distributed as residual assets of the estate? This article…
When a couple legally separates or divorces, the court may order one spouse to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called “spousal support” for married couples, and commonly referred to as “alimony”. This article provides an overview of the spousal support award process, how to change or end…
Probate is the court process of transferring a decedent’s assets into the names of the lawful heirs or beneficiaries. If the decedent owned property held solely in his or her name and without a designated beneficiary, there is no way for the beneficiaries to obtain legal ownership without going through the probate process. So, when…