The word “alimony” strikes fear into the hearts of many. In popular media, the prospect of having to pay alimony is often the impetus behind the commission of unsavory deeds in an attempt to circumvent it. While alimony in real life is rarely so dramatic, it nonetheless represents a significant […]
The post How Long
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Strategies for Fighting Back Against Sneaky Divorce Tactics
By Rachel Poyer
Married couples in California have a statutory fiduciary duty to each other that lasts the duration of the marriage — including during divorce proceedings. This means that the parties have a legal obligation to act in good faith and to refrain from taking advantage of each other. Unfortunately, not all […]
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Issues That Can Lead to Child Custody Disputes
By Rachel Poyer
Disagreements during divorce are rarely pleasant, but some of the least pleasant — and potentially damaging — involve those related to child custody and visitation. Most divorcing parents try to make the process as stress-free for their children as possible, but even disagreements behind the scenes can take a toll […]
The post Issues That…
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in California?
By Rachel Poyer
The average cost of a wedding in California in 2024 was about $36,000. While that is hardly a drop in the bucket, most costs associated with weddings are fairly predictable — e.g., venue, caterer, drinks, photographer, clothing, flowers, DJ, etc. The costs associated with divorce are not so predictable. It’s […]
The post How Much…
Prenups vs. Postnups: What’s the Difference?
By Rachel Poyer
Prenuptial agreements (“prenups”) are a popular tool in California family law because they allow future spouses to establish ground rules before marriage. They offer many benefits, not least of which is that they allow married couples to circumvent California’s default 50/50 property division scheme. But did you know that you […]
The post Prenups vs.
The Rights of Unmarried Parents in California
By Rachel Poyer
Parental rights for married parents are fairly straightforward — both parents share physical and legal custody of their children and enjoy all of the rights and obligations thereof (absent evidence that such an arrangement is not in the best interest of the children). But what about parental rights for unmarried […]
The post The Rights…
5 Misconceptions About Child Support
By Rachel Poyer
If you are getting a divorce and have children, it is more likely than not that either you or your former spouse will be required to pay child support. Generally, child support is money paid by one parent (the non-custodial parent) to the other parent (the custodial parent) to fulfill […]
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Should You Try a Separation Before Getting Divorced?
By Rachel Poyer
Divorce rarely comes out of nowhere. In many cases, the spouses understand that something is wrong in their marriage well before either of them file for divorce. One way couples seek to overcome these issues is through marriage counseling, which works in some cases but not in all. Another way […]
The post Should You…
What to Expect in a High-Asset Divorce
By Rachel Poyer
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can certainly increase the complexity of divorce. While the complexity of divorce varies from couple to couple, high net worth is one of the most common aggravating factors, especially in the absence of a prenuptial agreement. Divorcing couples with significant assets should thus prepare […]
The post What to…
A Guide to Supervised Visitation
By Rachel Poyer
One of the primary concerns for most parents in a divorce is maintaining a healthy and loving relationship with their children. If the parents do not share physical custody, the non-custodial parent may seek visitation. But in some cases, unrestricted visitation may jeopardize the child’s health, safety, or welfare, in […]
The post A Guide…