Divorce is always difficult—especially when children are involved. Consequently, there will never be a “one size fits all” approach to child custody. Traditional custody arrangements (sole, every other weekend, etc.) may work for some families, but others may benefit from an alternative schedule. Enter: bird’s nest custody. Bird’s nest custody is an alternative method of […]
A move to the Golden State has the potential to change the character of your property. Upon arrival in California, meeting with an experienced California estate planning attorney is a must! Generally, there are two kinds of property systems: community property and separate property. California is one of nine community property regimes in the United […]
When a child is born to a married couple, California law automatically establishes both spouses as the child’s parents. However, while nonmarital births peaked in the late 2000s, four out of every ten children are still born to unmarried women.* Additionally, nonmarital births are increasingly likely to occur in cohabiting unions. Yet, even when born […]
That familiar Hollywood story—a short marriage followed by an inevitable divorce—recently took a troubling turn when Amber Heard accused her husband, Johnny Depp, of spousal abuse. Detailing a series of domestic violence incidents, Heard asked a judge for and received a temporary domestic violence restraining order. While the criminal and civil implications of the Depp-Heard […]
In the wake of rock & roll legend Prince’s untimely death, a number of issues have arisen regarding his estate plan – or lack thereof. One of the biggest issues is that none of the charities that Prince donated to throughout his life will inherit from his approximately 150 million dollar estate. CNN Political Commentator, […]
In her memoir “Yes Please,” comedian Amy Poehler likened divorce to “spreading everything you care about on a blanket and then tossing the whole thing up in the air.” Undeniably, the end of a relationship is devastating for all involved, especially for the children of the relationship. Sometimes, parents separate with the best of intentions, […]
The Huffington Post recently compiled a list of 7 of the weirdest, but very real, wills of all time. Although some are foreign wills, the article serves to remind us that wills are a powerful tool. Creating a will allows us to control the disposition of our property, and fulfill some last wishes. 1. The […]
Mediation can be very helpful for spouses going through a divorce. Ensuring a successful mediation requires choosing the right mediator. Before deciding to work with a mediator, parties may consider speaking to those who have worked with him or her in the past. Below are a few suggested questions to ask those who have worked […]
Mediation allows parties to work in a collaborative environment and reach an agreement satisfying to both sides. The enclosed article suggests mediation as a first step in solving problems and reaching voluntary agreements. Instead of using mediation as a last resort, the article recommends using it as the first step to work out solutions. In […]
Divorces can get ugly. Someone who was once your world suddenly becomes your enemy. One area that can get especially messy is property division. One spouse may try to hide assets in hopes of preventing the other spouse from benefiting from them. Although such action can lead to legal consequences, some spouses, nonetheless, attempt to […]