Some people, while married, place their family home or other valuable assets in a living trust, with no idea that they might eventually divorce. Assets in a trust are placed outside of personal ownership. But what happens to community property in a trust if you...
Oakland, California, Family Law Blog
Can I be reimbursed for helping my spouse build a business?
In California, a high-asset divorce is inevitably complicated, particularly if there is a successful business as part of the marriage. Often, one party ran the business while the other either played a minor role in its operation or was not involved at all. However,...
Five ways to get through your divorce from a liar
Divorce is hard enough as it is. Figuring out how to untangle yourself from a spouse whom you’ve spent years or even decades building a life with can be difficult, to say the least, and the emotional implications can certainly be overwhelming. As if that’s not enough,...
How does domestic violence impact support and property division?
Domestic violence is an unfortunate part of many California family law cases. Domestic violence can be terrible for victims, and criminal charges can do extensive damage to the life of the accused. When a marriage ends with a history of these allegations, it is...
How should I act during my divorce mediation?
Mediation can be a great way to resolve your divorce. It may save you time and money compared with traditional litigation, and you are generally more likely to achieve a result with which you are happy. It is understandable to feel nervous or a little intimidated...
A collaborative approach to divorce
The image of divorce is not pleasant. Hollywood and mainstream media portray it as a brutal, long and costly process. The truth is that divorce can be messy, filled with conflicts, lengthy and cost you a lot of money; however, this is not the only way divorce can look...
Some professions have higher divorce rates
Our economic landscape in California is hallmarked by the haves and the have- nots, and as a result, many choose professions with low unemployment and high income potential. Others choose public service to give back. What is often not discussed when we choose our...
Can divorce affect my immigration status?
If you have come to California as an immigrant, can divorce affect your immigration status? The answer is yes, but the details depend upon the exact circumstance of how you and your spouse came to the United States. If your immigration status is dependent on your...
Understanding the basics of property and debt division
Most of our readers probably know that California state law addresses the property and debt division part of a divorce case a bit differently from the majority of other states. In many other states, the term “equitable division” is the name of the game when it comes...
Will a restraining order or order of protection help DV victims?
For married domestic violence victims, the first step to freedom is usually a restraining order or an order of protection. And, many DV victims believe the last step is divorce. Indeed, the “just leave” mentality has become so pervasive that even DV victims do not...
