California divorce law Archives - Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

The Ins and Outs of Life Insurance During Divorce

April 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Law /by Michael Lonich

Life insurance is usually not high on the list of concerns during a divorce. However, it is important to know that under certain circumstances life insurance can be an important asset.

In California, Can Life Insurance be Divided?

California is a community property state, which means that anything earned by the couple is owned equally be each partner. When life insurance is purchased with community money it is possible that the proceeds of the life insurance policy may be community property.

There are two types of life insurance: whole life insurance and term life insurance.

The first type of life insurance is whole life insurance. For whole life insurance, the policy accumulates a “cash value”. The amount of the policy that was purchased with community money is considered to be divisible property in divorce.

The second type of life insurance is term life insurance. Term life insurance is a contract providing only coverage during a specified term and has no cash value. Term life insurance purchased with community money is community property. However, the property in term life insurance is the right to have coverage during the individual term paid for with community money. Because the couple has already received the “benefit” of the policy during the marriage, the policy is not considered to be a divisible asset.

If the partner for whom a term life insurance policy is maintained were to pass away during a term in which any community funds were used to purchase the term policy, a portion of the policy proceeds would be community property and subject to division in a divorce.

Can Life Insurance be Awarded as Child or Spousal Support?

California family law provides broad discretion in matters of spousal and child support. A judge may order a parent to buy an insurance policy with the child or spouse named as the beneficiary.

California law allows life insurance to be awarded for child support because the obligations of the parent extend beyond death. A judge may order a life insurance policy as child support when the judge believes that the ordered parent may have trouble providing for the child.

Life insurance awards for spousal support allows a judge to order a spouse to purchase a policy with the other spouse named as the beneficiary. The judge’s ability to order life insurance as spousal support is directly stated in California Family Code section 4360.

Is There Anything Else to be Aware of?

It is important to remember that a life insurance policy is a separate contract from marriage. The named beneficiary of a life insurance policy does not automatically change following a divorce. The holder of the policy must contact the life insurance provider to request a change of beneficiaries.

Another item to keep in mind is that even if a life insurance policy is not discussed during divorce proceedings, it can be brought before a judge later as an “omitted asset.” The judge may then decide on whether the policy should have been divided or have been included in an award of support.

Determining the rights to life insurance in divorce can be complicated. It is important to understand your rights to a life insurance policy both during and after divorce. If you have questions about your or your partner’s life insurance policy, please contact one of the experienced attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

California Divorce: What is a Moore Marsden Analysis?

March 14, 2019/1 Comment/in Family Law /by Michael Lonich

Who or What are Moore and Marsden?

Moore and Marsden are two cases decided by the California Supreme Court and the California Appellate Court in 1980 and 1982 respectively. These cases dealt with the issue of how to determine the community property interest in a house.

Generally, a house purchased before marriage will be treated as the purchaser’s separate property. However, during marriage if the mortgage is paid with community funds a portion of the value of the house may become community property. Because California is a community property state, this means all community property is divided equally in a divorce.

When do I Use a Moore Marsden analysis?

The decisions of the Moore and Marsden cases are the basis for what is called the Moore Marsden analysis. The Moore Marsden analysis applies a formula to determine what portion of a house is community property due to mortgage payments made during marriage with community funds.

To apply the Moore Marsden analysis, you need to have two key factors. First, any mortgage payments made must be made with community funds. Second, these payments must include payment of the loan principal and not only interest.

How do I Apply a Moore Marsden Calculation?

If you meet the above two factors, you must compare the market value of your home at the time of your marriage and the market value at them time of your divorce proceedings to calculate the amount the house has increased in value during the marriage.

You then compare the amount principal paid during the marriage to the total purchase price of the house to calculate what percentage of the purchase price was paid during the marriage.

Next you take the percentage of the purchase price that was paid by the community and compare that to the amount your house has increased in value during marriage and add to it the amount of the principal paid by the community to calculate the total amount of the house that the community is entitled to.

Finally, in a divorce this amount is divided between the spouses because it is community property.

For example, if your house was worth $100,000 at the time of marriage and $200.000 at the time of divorce, then the house has increased in value by $100,000.

If you purchased the house for $50.000 and during your marriage paid off $10,000 of principal with community funds, then 20% was paid by the community.

Using the above examples, you take the percentage paid by the community, 20%, of the amount your house increased in value, $100,000, and add the amount of principal paid during the marriage, $10,000, which equals $30,000. This means that the community would be entitled to $30,000 of the $200,000 house.

This would mean that in the above example, each spouse would be entitled to $15,000 as community property is divided equally. The remainder of the house value and the balance due on the loan is kept by the spouse that purchased the house with separate funds before the marriage.

Is There Anything Else I Should be Aware of?

In a typical divorce, there are many additional factors that may be involved in the calculation. Refinancing and home improvements made with community funds both influence the calculation. Further, it may simply be difficult to agree on the required values of the home with your spouse.

Because of the complex nature of the Moore Marsden analysis, it is important to discuss your circumstances with a knowledgeable expert. If you own a home and are considering divorce, please contact one of the experienced attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

What Parents with a Disability Need to be Aware of in a Divorce

June 1, 2017/in Family Law /by Michael Lonich

Parenting while going through a divorce is hard, but also having a disability adds a new level of complexity that makes it is easy to feel overwhelmed and deflated. This is why it is so important to have a competent lawyer who will advocate for your parentage rights effectively and with care.

The thought of having parentage rights taken away will make any parent’s heart drop. But the chances of a disabled parent facing this nightmare is almost a guarantee. According to the National Council on Disabilities the removal rates of children from disabled parents are dispiriting. For children with psychiatric disabled parents the removal rates were between 70% and 80%; parents with intellectual disabilities were 80%; and parents with physical or sensory disabilities experienced high removal rates and loss of parental rights, as well.

If you are a disabled parent facing divorce or a child custody battle, it is important to find a lawyer who is sympathetic to your situation, who understands your condition, and will be effective in their advocacy for you. This is crucial because there are many unfortunate challenges a disabled parent can face in court.

Disabled parents may experience bias or speculation regarding best interest determinants. When dealing with a child, the court’s main objective is to produce a result that is in the child’s best interest; and a parent’s disability will be considered.

There is also a “no harm” requirement when determining a child’s best interest scenario, where the court factors the mental and physical health of all individuals involved to determine if there is a potential chance for harm to occur to the child. With this requirement, there is no obligation to show that the parent’s disability is actually causing, or will cause, any harm to the child or their environment. This can clearly disfavor any parent dealing with a disability.

If you are a parent who has a disability and is facing a divorce or custody battle, securing knowledgeable and effective counsel is imperative. There are a few key characteristics you should look for your future lawyer.

Of course, a knowledgeable lawyer in family law and child custody is a must, but you also want one who will focus on your parenting abilities and strengths. Your attorney needs to understand the specifics of your diagnosis in order to better advise and understand you. By being knowledgeable on your disability’s characteristics your lawyer will be more equipped to advocate on your parenting strengths and abilities. Finally, you want to find a lawyer who apprehends the benefits and pitfalls of various parental evaluations. Overall, your lawyer should give you assurance that your parental rights are protected and that you are given a fair opportunity to raise your child.

If you are considering a divorce or legal separation and would like more information about child custody and parental disability, please contact the experienced family law attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri.

Lastly, please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

“Always has the best advice for you” -AVVO reviewer

October 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Firm News /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

Gina Policastri, partner at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, has gained a reputation for being a compassionate but strong advocate for her clients. She has worked with clients involved in long and difficult divorces. One AVVO reviewer recently noted that after a lengthy divorce of 6 years that seemed to be going nowhere, Gina was able to finalize his divorce in only 8 months! As the reviewer stated, “She is extremely organized, a hard worker and always has the best advice for you and knows what is needed to do to move your case forward!”

Gina Policastri is a Certified Family Law Specialist. She handles all areas of family law including high conflict custody cases, complex business valuation and asset division issues and complicated child and spousal support matters.

For more information or to schedule your free ½ hour consultation, please contact Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri. Please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/95126-ca-gina-policastri-233500/reviews.html

4 questions to ask before hiring a mediator

March 8, 2016/0 Comments/in Family Law /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

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 with the mediator:

1.Did the mediator develop a relationship of trust and confidence with you?

2.Was the mediator patient yet tenacious?

3. Would you hire this mediator again?

4.Was the mediator creative?

Sometimes our issues don’t have an easy solution. For example, deciding a custody holiday schedule or deciding who will keep the marital home, can make it difficult to reach an agreement. Hire a mediator that you know is prepared to deal with these complex issues.

While divorce mediation works in many situations, it is not always appropriate. Litigation is often the best option in situations where there is domestic violence, one party refuses to cooperate in making required disclosures, or communication between the parties is impossible. If you have any questions about divorce mediation and would like to speak to an attorney, please contact Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Keep in mind that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Source:

Mediation Checklist: What to Know When Hiring Mediators

Alternative Dispute Resolution in Marital Cases

October 27, 2015/0 Comments/in Family Law /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

No one marries with the intent that they will divorce someday. However, there may be a point in a relationship when it is clear that marital dissolution (i.e., a divorce) is inevitable. How the parties proceed after this point can make the difference between an amicable, peaceful conscious uncoupling and a nasty, drawn-out battle.

Even though a trial, complete with a judge and court-room setting is glorified on television, most cases do not make it to trial and are more commonly resolved with a settlement. Contrary to what some believe, a divorce does not have to go to court. Parties looking to divorce may resolve their dispute through informal negotiations by using out-of-court alternative dispute resolution (commonly referred to as ADR). These proceedings between you and your spouse along with your attorneys promote voluntary settlement though they can also include traditional court proceedings.

Several ADR processes that family law attorneys use are mediation and arbitration in lieu of proceeding to trial. These forms of dispute resolution are gaining in popularity and are shifting the role divorce attorneys play from representing their clients in a legal battle to acting as divorce mediators who help their clients achieve their goals. In order to determine which approach might be right for you, it’s helpful to understand the process each one entails.

Mediation

The goal of mediation is for a neutral third party to help disputants come to a consensus on their own. In mediation, a professional mediator works with the conflicting sides to explore the interests underlying their positions. Parties in mediation find it effective at allowing them to vent their feelings and to fully explore their grievances.

Mediation sometimes requires the parties to sit in a room together, while other times the parties are in separate rooms and the mediator goes back and forth. This is typically referred to as Kissinger style shuttle diplomacy after it was used to describe the efforts of the United States Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger.

Mediation may be particularly helpful when parties have a relationship they want to preserve (e.g., family members, neighbors or business partners have a dispute) or when emotions are getting in the way of finding a resolution. An effective mediator can hear the parties out and help them discuss issues with each other in an effective and nondestructive manner.

Arbitration

Another form of alternative dispute resolution in family law cases is arbitration where a neutral third party serves as a judge who is responsible for resolving the dispute. The arbitrator listens as each side argues their case and presents relevant evidence, and then renders a binding or non-binding decision, depending on the type of arbitration entered into. Arbitration is less formal than a trial, and the rules of evidence are often relaxed.

Although used more often in civil litigation, arbitration is less often used in divorce cases. In marital dissolution cases, an arbitrator’s decision is not necessarily final, and the parties may still be able to resolve key issues before a court at a later date. It is important to keep in mind that most out-of-court alternatives for resolving a divorce will still require some level of court approval.

Litigation

Perhaps the most recognizable form of dispute resolution, litigation involves two parties facing off before a judge or judge and jury (Currently, Texas and Georgia are the only states that offer spouses the opportunity to litigate their divorce before a jury). During the trial of a divorce case, the attorney’s for each party present evidence on contested issues while the judge (or jury) is responsible for weighing that evidence and making a ruling.

Typical issues that arise in litigation are the determination of the separate property of a party, how to divide community property and liabilities as well as determination of the validity of a pre- or post-nuptial agreement. If children are present the custody arrangement, child and spousal support as well as the time sharing schedule of the children are often areas prone to increased litigation.

It is important to keep in mind that all of the alternative dispute resolution processes are available in settling any ongoing dispute such as property division, child custody or support. However, the effectiveness of these alternatives in contrast to a full trial depend on factors such as how willing the parties are to work on resolving these issues and the general degree of animosity between them.

These choices can make the decision to divorce a complex field. If you are considering filing for divorce, the Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. Please contact the Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Also, please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Source: http://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/dispute-resolution/what-are-the-three-basic-types-of-dispute-resolution-what-to-know-about-mediation-arbitration-and-litigation/?mqsc=W3814478&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=PON%20Harvard+Neg%20Insider%20(Tuesday/Thursday)%20Standard%20Rule+Neg%20Insider%20(Tuesday/Thursday)%20Standard%20Rule&utm_campaign=Neg_WIR_10242015

Mom and Dad Have Something to Tell You: Talking to Kids about Divorce

June 8, 2015/0 Comments/in Family Law /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

With forty to fifty percent of married couples proceeding in marriage dissolution, thousands of children experience the stress of divorce each year. While the adults are navigating their own emotions, children are also struggling with their own feelings. Many of these children get lost in the process as their parents often find it difficult to talk to them about divorce.

When parents decide to break the news to their children, it is important to leave any feelings of anger or blame out. Practicing the conversation may be helpful as to release any feelings of anger before talking with them. If possible, parents should also break the news together to avoid confusion. Telling children together also helps to preserve the child’s sense of trust in both parents.

The conversation should also be age appropriate. In other words, “[t]he discussion should fit the child’s age, maturity, and temperament.” It should also always include the following message: “What happened is between mom and dad and is not the child’s fault.” It is imperative to include this message as most children will feel that they are to blame for the separation, when this may be far from reality.

It is also vital to be prepared to handle children’s reactions to the news. For the children who become upset, parents can let them know that they care about these feelings and reassure them that their feelings are understandable. Some children may not react immediately. For these children, parents can let them know that this is also okay and that they will be there for them when they are ready to talk.

While there is no easy way for parents to break the news to their children, there are important things that both parents can do to help guide their children through this challenging time. The following is a list of helpful tips:

· Be truthful and discuss changes with your children.

· For younger children, have a simple and to-the-point conversation.

· Remember to keep legal talk, heated discussions, and visible conflict away from the children.

· It is important to keep each parent involved in the children’s lives.

· Try to minimize any disruptions in their daily routines.

· Restrict negative talk to private therapy sessions or conversations with friends outside of the home.

· Encourage children to share their feelings.

· Remind your children how much you love them.

· Most importantly, support your child as he or she is navigating through the process.

The Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. If you have any questions about helping your children through this process, please contact the Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/help_child_divorce.html

Source: http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/social-affairs/20150530/the-ins-and-outs-of-talking-to-kids-about-divorce

Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-your-child-youre-getting-divorced_3657051.bc

Billionaire’s divorcing wife wants at least $1 million per month

March 6, 2015/0 Comments/in Family Law /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

How difficult would it be to spend $1 million dollars per month? In divorce proceedings that initiated last July, the wife of hedge fund manager Ken Griffin says that is precisely the amount that she requires to maintain her standard of living.

What are some of these expenses? They include:

– $2,000 a month for stationary

– $6,800 a month for groceries

– $7,200 a month for restaurant meals

– $8,000 a month for gifts

– $60,000 a month for an office and professional staff

– $160,000 a month for hotels

– $300,000 a month for a private jet

She makes this claim despite the presence of a prenuptial agreement that she signed in 2004. Ms. Dias-Griffin is seeking to have the prenuptial agreement nullified on the basis of duress and coercion. Mr. Griffin argues that she was fully aware of what she signed. The terms of the prenup included that she received $25 million upon signing the document, $1 million every year thereafter and Ms. Griffin had the advice of independent counsel – namely three prominent law firms – when signing.

In papers filed in Illinois state court, Mr. Griffin claims he already paid Ms. Dias-Griffin some $37 million in payments under the premarital agreement, in addition to giving her a 50% stake in the couple’s $11 million Chicago home. Ms. Dias-Griffin claims that this would only leave her with 1% of Mr. Griffin’s net worth and should be voided since she signed it under duress.

“Anne failed in her initial effort to obtain these things from Ken in the name of maintaining the ‘status quo,’” the filing reads, according to CNBC. “Now she claims that these same expenses are in fact ‘child support.’”

If you don’t know who he is, Ken Griffin is one of the world’s wealthiest men. As the founder and CEO of Citadel, a global investment firm, Forbes estimated his net worth at a value of $5.5 billion in 2014. Mr. Griffin married Anne Dias-Griffin in July of 2004. Ms. Griffin is also a founder of the Chicago-based hedge fund firm Aragon Global Management. Together, they have three children each less than 10 years old.

Typical Components of a Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement can be a powerful tool in limiting property rights and alimony. A properly drafted prenup may be impossible to set aside. While the requirements for properly drafted prenuptial agreements vary from state to state, some of the general requirements in California for a valid prenuptial agreement under the California Premarital Agreement Act are:

– They must be executed voluntarily;

– Each party had independent legal counsel (or properly waived that right);

– Had legal capacity to enter into the agreement;

– There was no fraud, duress, or undue influence;

– A seven day waiting period between being presented with the agreement and signing it;

– Any other factor a court deems as relevant.

These are not all of the requirements, and each of the above mentioned requirements have elements that must be met in-and-of themselves. The Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. If you are interested in learning more about prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements, please contact the Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Surviving The Holidays During A Divorce

December 3, 2014/0 Comments/in Family Law /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and togetherness. For the recently divorced or those in the process of a divorce, the holidays can be a very sad, confusing, and lonely time; especially for those couples with children. Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, LLP have put together three tips to get you through the holidays this year: plan ahead, socialize, and create new traditions.

Plan Ahead

The first and most important step to ensuring you survive the holidays is planning ahead. This includes planning out where your children will spend their holidays and with whom. Depending on your custody plan, there are inevitably going to be holes in your schedule and during those time, loneliness may be unavoidable. One way to avoid being lonely during these times is to get activities on the calendar. If your children will be with your former spouse this year, plan activities with friends and family to keep you busy. While keeping yourself busy may be essential to surviving the holidays, it is also essential to leave some time for rest and reflection, so try not to over commit yourself.

Socialize

The more the merrier. It is common knowledge that the more people you surround yourself with, the better your mood will be. Just because your children are with your former spouse, does not mean you have to spend the holidays home alone. This holiday season, be sure to interact with others, whether it be with family or friends. Socializing will help you avoid feelings of sadness, loneliness, and depression. If you used to spend your holidays with your in-laws, find somewhere else to go this year. Do not be afraid to crash a holiday party or two. And remember, it is normal to feel out of place and uncomfortable, but the more you socialize, the better you will feel.

Create New Traditions

Divorce means letting go. This includes letting go of certain family traditions. Now that you are divorced, your holiday traditions are bound to change. This is your opportunity to keep the traditions you enjoy, get rid of those you do not, and create new and better traditions with your children. Take this time to try something you have always wanted to do, were too scared to do, or something your former would never let you and the children do. Also, if your children are spending this holiday with your former spouse, consider celebrating the same holiday with your children on an alternate day.

These are just some of the many tips available to survive the holidays during your divorce. The Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. If you are interested in learning more about scheduling where your children will spend the holidays, please contact Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Keep in mind that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Who gets the family pet in a divorce?

October 27, 2014/0 Comments/in Estate Planning, Family Law /by Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

If I had to ask you to put a price on your dog, cat or your pet hermit crab, could you? For some, perhaps they could but the vast majority would likely agree that their pets are priceless. However, disputes regarding who gets the family pet in divorce proceedings has become commonplace in family law.

Earlier this year, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas made a statement that they were ending their two-decade marriage but vowed to remain friends and to move forward lovingly. However, shortly after, reports surfaced that a custody battle was flaring up – not over their 17 year old daughter, but over the couple’s three dogs.

Although these days some people treat their pets better than their own children, in the eyes of the law pets are still only considered the property of their owners, much like their furniture is[1]. Legal experts agree that pet owners invest hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars and hours researching proper training, good food choices, and the perfect toys, groomers and veterinarians for their pets. Those same individuals might also take precautions with their estate by writing a prenuptial agreement. But how often do those pet owners think about legal issues associated with pet ownership?

Family law attorneys agree that the best way to handle a situation with a pet is to put it in a prenup. If you came into your relationship with Maxwell, put it in writing that if you are to leave the relationship Maxwell is coming with you. If you and your significant other purchased a pet together during the relationship, but you both agree that one of you should have the pet in the event of a breakup, a post-nuptial agreement would make sure that in the event of a divorce or separation the pet would go with the spouse more bonded with the animal.

Without something in writing, trouble could land you arguing in court. Last year a New York judge granted a divorcing couple the right to engage in oral arguments over pet custody for the first time in the state’s judicial history. The landmark legal showdown was ultimately averted. The couple settled out of court.

In the event of a heated breakup, pets can be protected. If a party feels that he/she and the pet is in danger at the hands of the other party, California law provides for the family pet to be included on a protective order. Since 2008, courts have had the ability to make an order that the restrained person stay away from the pet. Family Code Section 6320 provides that upon a showing of good cause, the court may include in a protective order a grant of the exclusive care, possession, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the spouse or minor child resident in the residence.

Family Code section 6320 makes strides toward addressing the established connection between animal abuse and family violence commonly referred to as the “Link.”[2] One of the first studies that described this Link found that of a survey of women with pets who had entered a shelter in northern Utah, seventy-one percent reported that their partner had threatened or actually hurt or killed one or more of their pets.[3]Another study of fifty of the largest shelters in the United States found that eighty-five percent of battered women and sixty-three percent of children with pets had experienced incidents of pet abuse.[4] An alarming consequence of these studies is that victims may feel that they cannot leave their abuser because they worry for the safety of their pets.

The Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. If you are interested in learning more about prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements, please contact the Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

[1] Kimes v. Grosser (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 1556

[2] Am. Humane Ass’n, Learn About the Link, http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lk_about (last visited Aug. 4, 2007); see also Senate Judiciary Committee, Committee Analysis of SB 353, at 2-5 (Mar. 27, 2007) (explaining the connection between animal abuse and family violence). There are also several studies that report that children who witness abuse, or are abused themselves, tend to, in turn, abuse animals. See Phil Arkow & Tracy Coppola, Expanding Protective Orders to Include Companion Animals 5 (2007), http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/PetsinPO2007.pdf? docID=5061 (describing the harmful effects upon children of witnessing domestic violence).

[3] Frank R. Ascione, Battered Women’s Reports of Their Partners’ and Their Children’s Cruelty to Animals, 1 J. Emotional Abuse 119, 125 (1998).

[4] Frank R. Ascione et al., The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence: A National Survey of Shelters for Women Who are Battered, 5 Soc’y & Animals 205, 211-12 tbl.1 (1997), available at http:// www.syeta.org/sa/sa5.3/Ascione.html.

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