How Do I Serve My Spouse with Divorce Papers?
One of the most important parts of your divorce will be the service of the other party, your spouse, with the Summons and Petition for Dissolution. Service of your spouse, also called service of process, is an important step because from the date they are served, their deadline to respond starts counting down. When serving initial divorce papers, personal service is required, meaning someone must actually hand the papers to…
Read MoreWhat is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence, in California as well as elsewhere, affects many families. Domestic violence happens more than you would realize, in part because it is so hard to recognize. The traditional depiction of domestic violence is often a husband beating his wife. While this is indeed a common occurrence of domestic violence, the legal definition of domestic violence is much more broad. First, a domestic violence victim does not have to…
Read MoreWhat Forms are Involved in the Initial Filing of a Divorce?
If you are thinking about filing for divorce in Los Angeles, you may be wondering what steps you need to take to do so. Ideally, you should consult with an experienced family law attorney to get an idea of the road map of divorce in California and what your initial filings will be. Initial Filings to Commence a Divorce Case Try to get an overview of the process so you know…
Read MoreCan My Domestic Partner Ask for Spousal Support?
Domestic partnerships in California are becoming more common, as are same-sex marriages. Some couples decide to enter into a domestic partnership instead of a same-sex marriage for personal reasons. However, in the eyes of California family law, a domestic partnership is a lot like a marriage. Registered domestic partnerships are defined as two adults agreeing to be in an intimate, committed and caring relationship, formalized with a filing of a…
Read MoreWhat Can I do if I Think My Child Support Amount is Too High?
There are a variety of reasons why a child support amount ordered may be unreasonable for the payor to pay each month. California child support is calculated off of a standard statewide formula that takes into account mainly parental income and the residential time distribution of the child between the two parents. Both of these significant factors can easily change after the date the order is put into effect. As…
Read MoreCan I get Financial Support in a Domestic Violence Case?
Domestic violence in the home can result in drastic changes to your living arrangements and financial viability. If you are a victim of domestic violence and have to leave the family home to be safe, you might need financial support to allow you to financially support yourself during this time. Or, if your spouse or partner is ordered to leave the family residence, as part of a restraining order, you…
Read MoreCan We Divide our Assets However We Want?
During a divorce, much of what happens and decided upon is up to you, as long as you follow standard California family laws and your spouse is in agreement with you. For example, you can divide up your debts and assets according to your needs, as long as your spouse agrees to the division and the total net value of your marriage is equally distributed. Keep in mind, however, that…
Read MoreWhat is a Post-Nuptial Agreement?
Many couples choose to enter into prenuptial agreements, prior to marriage. Prenuptial agreements, also called prenups, can help protect the assets you had going into the marriage from becoming community assets. They also put on paper all of the assets and debts you and your spouse are going into the marriage with so, if in the case of divorce, your property division will be simplified. Many people find prenups unromantic…
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