Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Does a California Family Lawyer Do?
In California, a family lawyer practices family law – but what does that mean? Family law is a very broad field of law, covering a range of sensitive, personal, and emotional issues that often require expert guidance to navigate smoothly. A family lawyer deals with all matters of domestic-related legal issues, from paternity, child… Read More »
Common Law Marriage and “Palimony” in California
In several states, if a couple lives together for a specific period of time and holds themselves out to the world as a married couple, then the couple may be considered to be legally married in the state. This is true even if the couple never went to the courthouse and completed the legal… Read More »
4 Reasons You Want to Hire a Divorce Attorney
When you find yourself faced with the prospect of divorce, a lot of decisions suddenly fall on your shoulders. What is this going to mean for your family? Will you be staying in the same home? Will you be financially okay? What does the future hold? All of these unknowns can lead to a… Read More »
The Paternity Presumption
In California, there is a “paternity presumption.” The presumption is, in essence, if a woman is married to her husband when she gives birth to a child then the husband is the presumed biological father of the child. The specifics of the presumption is described in California Family Code section 7611. But – what… Read More »
Can Both Parents Claim Their Child on Their Tax Returns?
Raising children is costly, especially for divorced parents. Both California and the federal government offer tax credits to help offset some of these expenses. But what happens when parents live apart? Can both parents claim their child on their tax returns? If you pay child support, do you automatically get to take the tax… Read More »
What is Spousal Abandonment?
When a spouse leaves the family home in California, it can leave the other wondering if they have been legally abandoned by their spouse. This situation, known as spousal abandonment, is a recognized legal issue in California. How Does California Law Define Spousal Abandonment? The California Family Code does not provide a specific definition… Read More »
The Importance of the Date of Separation
The date of separation in a California divorce can significantly impact your financial future. It might seem like a small detail, but in reality, it is a crucial marker that can affect how your assets and debts are divided. California is a community property state, which generally means that both individuals in the marriage… Read More »
The Power of Forensic Accounting in Divorce
Forensic accounting in a divorce case is a process of thoroughly analyzing a couple’s financial estate to help ensure that the division of assets and property is fair and equitable. There are several key benefits of forensic accounting in divorce: Locating hidden assets: A forensic accountant can search for any assets that may have… Read More »
Changing Your Mind About Divorce?
Changing your mind about filing for divorce is more common than you might think. Even couples who make the tough decision to file the paperwork can have a change of heart and reconcile. There are some key things to think about before you make the decision to withdraw your divorce petition. Mutual agreement –… Read More »
Hiding, Diverting, and Stealing Assets Amidst Divorce
While divorce is bound to come with its fair share of arguments and contention, it adds a new wrinkle to the chaos when you believe that your spouse is, or may try, to hide, divert, or steal assets. And with a relationship that is breaking down it is easy to imagine a situation where… Read More »
