One of the most contested issues in divorces is whether child support and spousal support are warranted and how property should be divided. As such, parties in a divorce action have the right to disclosure of each other’s income, assets, and debts prior to the court making any determinations regarding…
When a couple divorces in California, their marital assets are subject to equal division. If the court finds that the distribution of property renders one spouse without adequate means for their support, they may award alimony as well. Additionally, California law permits the courts to grant temporary spousal support while…
Under California law, any property obtained during the course of a marriage is recognized as community property, which means that it belongs to both spouses equally and is subject to division in divorce proceedings. The presumption may be overturned, though, if a party can show that an asset was obtained…
Typically, when evaluating requests for spousal support or modifications of existing obligations, the courts will look at each party’s income and needs and the costs of maintaining the child’s standard of living. They are not limited to these factors, though, but may consider other relevant issues as well. For example,…
Many California couples earn disparate incomes. As such, if they decide to divorce, one spouse may seek support from the other. The courts typically consider numerous factors in determining whether the grant alimony and, if so, how much, including the standard of living the parties enjoyed as a couple. If…
Under California law, parents must support their minor children financially. In the context of child custody cases, this often means that the courts will order one parent to pay the other child support. While child support obligations are typically calculated based on each parent’s actual income, in some cases, they…
Family law cases can be extremely contentious, and it is not uncommon for parties to go to great lengths to persuade the courts to rule in their favor. While it is permissible for people to engage in any lawful tactic to convince the courts to see things in their light,…
Many married couples grapple with debt, and disagreements over money are one of the primary reasons marriages end. In some instances, one party will lack the ability or desire to pay down debts, and the other party will use their separate property to pay community debts while a divorce is…
Trusts are an important part of estate planning and typically allow parties to protect their property and provide for their loved ones while also avoiding the significant tax penalties associated with other means of passing on assets. There are certain measures people should take to safeguard their trusts, like obtaining…
Family law cases typically involve an intersection of legal issues and emotional concerns. As such, it is not uncommon for family law disputes to become contentious. In some instances, parties in family law cases will go so far as to attempt to frustrate the resolution of their cases by refusing…