Category Archives: Family Law
Enforcing Support Orders in California: What to Do When Payments Stop
When court ordered payments for child support and spousal support stop, the financial and emotional stress can be overwhelming. California law provides several powerful tools to help people collect the support they are owed. Understanding your rights and the enforcement process can make the difference between continued hardship and restored stability. Understanding Support Orders… Read More »
5 Things to Avoid when Filing for Divorce in California
Divorce in California can be legally complex, and even small mistakes can delay your case or jeopardize important rights related to property division, child custody, or support. Whether your divorce is amicable or contentious, know what NOT to do is just as important as knowing the correct legal steps to take. Below are five… Read More »
How California Calculates Spousal Support when High-Income Earners Divorce
Spousal support, often referred to as alimony, can be a complex and sensitive issue in California divorces. This is especially true when one or both spouses have very high incomes or multiple streams of income. Understanding how courts approach support calculations in these cases is essential. Understanding California Spousal Support In California, spousal support… Read More »
What is “ADR” and Why is it Used in Family Law?
“Alternative dispute resolution” or “ADR” is a process in which parties attempt to resolve disputes without having to go to a court and have the issues decided by a judge. In family law, common forms of ADR include mediation. ADR is widely encourages in California because they tend to be faster, less expensive, and… Read More »
School Reports and Child Welfare Services
Understanding how child welfare services (CWS) interact with educators is key for families in California. All too often, parents receive a shocking, dread-inducing call; someone from your child’s school has contacted CWS and reported suspected abuse or neglect. How does this happen? Has there been a mistake? What triggered a report being filed? What… Read More »
How to deal with a Stonewalling Spouse in Divorce
Divorce is typically challenging. It can become even more challenging when one spouse refuses to engage or communicate in the process. This behavior is often called “stonewalling.” It can be one of the most frustrating obstacles in a divorce. However, there are strategies for dealing with stonewalling. With the guidance of an experienced divorce… Read More »
Home Alone: How Young is Too Young in California?
Parents who are navigating custody issues often face the tricky question of when it is legal and safe to leave their child home alone in California. Can your ex leave your 13-year-old alone for a night out? Is it okay to leave your 10-year-old for a quick trip to the store? Can a 13-year-old… Read More »
California’s New Child Custody Law: Firearm Access Now a Key Factor
In a significant development for California family law, courts across the state are now required to consider a parent’s illegal firearm access or ownership when making certain child custody and visitation decisions. This 2025 legal reform demonstrates California’s stance that gun access, even without a history of violence, can create serious risks in contentious… Read More »
California Dependency & Parentage: Lessons from Miles v. Gernstein and In re Marriage of J.G. & K.G.
The California Court of Appeals has recently issued two influential decisions that underscore the evolving legal landscape in dependency and parentage law. These cases—Miles v. Gernstein (March 28, 2025) and In re Marriage of J.G. & K.G. (May 2, 2025)—both ultimately serve to highlight the California court’s efforts to reinforce the “best interests of… Read More »
Can Unwed Parents be Ordered to Pay Their Share of IVF Costs?
Families do not all follow the same formula. California courts have continued to evolve to reflect the realities of today’s families. For those navigating parenthood without marriage, a key question has recently been answered by a new case: Can unwed parents be ordered to share the cost of IVF treatment? This issue has recently… Read More »
