Top 5 Steps When Going Through a Divorce

If you’re marriage is ending and you’re not sure to do, we put together a list of the top 5 steps to take when going through a divorce. The steps include: 1. Organize Your Financial Records For example, make sure you collect bank statements, info on retirement accounts, and tax returns. These will come in handy as you proceed with dividing your assets. 2. Get a Copy Of Your Credit…

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Summary Dissolution: An Alternative to Divorce in California

In some situations, you may want to seek an alternative way to dissolve a marriage. Divorces are often viewed in a negative light, and couples who want to split amicably may benefit from seeking a summary dissolution. In some situations, California spouses or domestic partners may petition to have their marriage or partnership dissolved by petitioning the court for a summary dissolution. Who Can Get a Summary Dissolution? If you…

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Understanding Interim Orders In Divorce Cases

Shortly after the respondent receives formal notice of marriage dissolution proceedings through service of process, the judge normally holds a temporary hearing to make interim determinations about child custody, child support, property division, spousal support, and other matters. Needless to say, these are some very important determinations, and since the temporary hearings normally occur about two or three weeks after the petitions are filed, there is no advance information available…

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Getting Things Started: Serving Divorce Papers in California

In just a few short years, social media has radically transformed the way we communicate with one another, so a New York judge may have sparked a national trend when he allowed a divorce petitioner to serve marriage dissolution papers on her estranged spouse via Facebook. 26-year-old Ellanora Baidoo married Victor Sena Blood-Dzraku in a 2009 civil ceremony, but the relationship almost immediately fell apart, supposedly because Mr. Blood-Dzraku refused…

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Agreed Property Divisions In Divorce Cases

With the Los Angeles Dodgers back in the National League Championship Series, the team is in the headlines because of its on-the-field performance. But a little over a year ago, the team was in the headlines because of what happened in divorce court. After the team won the World Series in 1988, a decade of under-achieving teams deflated fan interest, meaning that ballpark attendance and broadcast ratings both fell precipitously….

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How Do I Demonstrate Standard of Living in Litigation?

In California divorces, status quo is important. The status quo is the standing of living the two parties to the divorce enjoyed and had grown used to over the course of the marriage. Generally, family law courts will strive to maintain the marital standard of living when they are making a determination on spousal support. For many Californians with significant resources or a high net-worth, the standard of living can…

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How Soon Can I Get Spousal Support?

If you and your spouse have decided to separate or divorce, one of you may be planning to move out. While it is common for one spouse to move out after separation, in many cases it presents a financial problem. Where there was once one household being maintained on your family income, there are now two households that have to be paid for. This means that rent, utilities and other…

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How Do I Respond to a Petition and Summons?

If you have been served with a petition and summons, you must take action within a certain amount of time. Otherwise, your divorce will be considered uncontested and you may forfeit your rights in the divorce. It is always advisable you either respond in a timely manner or try to reach an agreement over the matters of the divorce with your spouse. If you have been served with divorce papers,…

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