Annulments: Eligibility Criteria and Process

There are many different ways to end a marriage. For most people, they will go through the traditional divorce process. Some will qualify to file for a summary dissolution, which is a streamlined version of a divorce for short-term marriages with few assets and no children. Annulments are another option for ending a marriage however very few marriages will qualify to file for one. An annulment is what is considered…

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Knowing Your Worth: What is Considered an Asset?

One of the most complicated parts of a divorce is dividing the net worth of the marital party, which requires taking stock of all assets and all debts. Debts are clearly defined; money or other consideration owed to another party. Debts can be loans, lines of credit, credit cards, personal debts, mortgages, taxes or support owed. Assets, on the other hand, can take many forms. An asset can be something…

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Attorney’s Fees: Who Pays for Them?

Divorce can be expensive, this we all know. It can also be affordable under certain circumstances. Every divorce is different and will require more or less time or efforts dependent on how complex it is. Issues that can increase the complexity of a divorce are number of children involved, custody disputes, business ownership, significant assets or an overall high net-worth. In these cases, it can be well worth the investment…

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Self-Employment and Divorce: What You Need to Know

Dealing with finances in a divorce can be a headache. Property division in California follows the community property rule; all marital assets are to be equally divided between the two spouses. While this sounds simple, many things can quickly complicate this part of the divorce. One such complicating factor is self-employment income, which may not be as easily verifiable or predictable like a salary. Today, many successful Californians are self-employed….

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Rights to Residence: Can I be Kicked Out of My Own House?

When a couple comes to the conclusion that they want a divorce, one spouse will usually move out. If there are children involved, whoever is the primary care taker will generally stay with the children in the family home. For the children’s sake, this is often the best move. Moving out at the point of separation is sometimes what is best for a couple, however it is not a rule…

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Stay at Home Spouses: What You Can Expect After Divorce

If you are a stay at home parent or homemaker, you might be worried about what your role will be after the divorce. Until now, your role has been in the home as a caregiver and a supportive presence to your working spouse. You may not be able to stay in that role going forward and so your goal in the divorce is to ensure your financial security is looked…

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Tax Breaks for Parents: What You Can Expect After Divorce?

One of the many things that will change after divorce is your taxes. You will have a separate filing status and may be in significantly different financial circumstance. Dependency Exemptions One thing that can change is your dependency exemptions. There are many tax breaks for parents. You can claim a dependent on your taxes to reduce your overall taxed income and take advantage of possible tax credits. Some expenses from…

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Who’s the Father?: How Paternity is Established

Today, families come in many shapes and sizes. Families can begin and grow before a marriage and not all mothers and fathers are meant to be together. In these cases, you may have to establish paternity to gain certain benefits for your child. There are many reasons why you may want to establish paternity. If you are seeking child support or other benefits for your child, you will need to…

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