One of the greatest myths about California child support payments is that there is anything to argue about.
California has a mandatory statewide guideline for child support, meaning that a judge must order the guideline amount unless the parents have a written agreement otherwise, or unless ... Views: 2211
Since I started the self-law movement in Berkeley, California in 1971, millions of couples have successfully filled out and filed their own California divorce forms, so you can almost certainly do it too. After reading this article, you'll know how to get started.
Doing your own California ... Views: 2350
Warning--I am a California divorce attorney, so the information in this article is only about California divorce alimony. If you are looking for information on alimony for any other state, this article may not apply to you.
Before I get started, you should know that in the California legal ... Views: 3383
If your divorce involves minor children, and you and your spouse can't agree on custody or visitation issues, you may be required to participate in California divorce mediation. After reading this article you will know how it works.
California divorces are handled through the state's Superior ... Views: 1399
Being served with California divorce papers can put most people in a panic. Maybe you already knew your marriage was headed for the rocks, or maybe you thought everything was fine. Either way, it's an unpleasant experience. If this has happened to you this article will help you get up to speed ... Views: 4991
Going to California divorce court and letting a judge make all the decisions is not the best way to get divorced. If you and your spouse can work together to agree on the legal issues of your case--how you'll handle division of your property and debts, support, and parenting if you have minor ... Views: 2318
California divorce cases fall into one of two legal categories: an uncontested divorce (a default case) or a contested divorce. This article will explain the difference and show you how to avoid the common trap of falling into a contested divorce that turns into a legal battle.
Almost all ... Views: 1724
A California divorce separation is a legal separation where the court makes orders about children, support, and property but allows the couple to live apart while legally joined.
This is useful for couples who can't live together but have religious or moral reasons to avoid divorce; or ... Views: 1568
This story begins with an idealistic young lawyer who was working as Senior Attorney for Contra Costa County Legal Services in the late 1960s. While there he discovered that many people who came for help were not poor enough to qualify for free services, but were too poor to pay a lawyer. They ... Views: 1076
California state divorce laws are not that difficult to understand if you have good information. With the right advice, instructions, and explanations, you can get your own divorce started without hiring an attorney, and save a lot of money on legal fees.
This article will provide an overview ... Views: 1609
If you and your spouse agree that you want to get divorced as easily and cheaply as possible, a California divorce kit could be just what you need to achieve your goal.
As long as the two of you are willing to cooperate, you can work together to do your own divorce without lawyers and save a ... Views: 1341
There are huge advantages to doing your own divorce, but to be successful you'll need recent and reliable divorce books or kits created specifically for your state. The key word is reliable, because I've seen a lot of divorce books that definitely do not qualify.
In particular you should ... Views: 764
The easiest way to get a simple divorce in California is by default. This means that your spouse or partner doesn't respond when served with divorce papers. This article will explain how a default divorce works in California.
In our legal system, any lawsuit is a struggle between two ... Views: 1185
Most people start off with a simple divorce case, or one that could probably become simple if handled right. However, such cases don't usually stay simple after an attorney is retained.
Divorces tend to be fairly sensitive, so it doesn't take much to stir them up, but lawyers and the legal ... Views: 775
This article on California divorce separation will make the topic simple and easy to understand. You will know the difference between a divorce and legal separation by the end of this article. Since I'm a California Family Law attorney, I'll explain this topic according to California divorce ... Views: 1293
True or false: If you live in the "sunshine state" you can get a divorce without even going to California divorce court. I believe the "False" sign in your head is blinking rapidly right now, and you are one hundred percent sure of your answer. I am not surprised at all, though, because through ... Views: 780
Do you know the best way to get a simple divorce in California? The simplest way is to get one by default. Before I tell you how a default divorce works, let me explain to you what it is. For those of you who already know, you can skip the next paragraph, but for those who do not have a clue ... Views: 752
Many seem to have the idea that California child support payments are not a priority when looking at the big picture, but in fact, this is one of the most important aspects of a divorce. It is actually one of the top priorities, and rightly so.
Let's start by talking about the guidelines ... Views: 803
In today's financially and economically difficult times, budgeting is especially important for divorcing or divorced people. Every singe dollar counts, and no one can just throw money around as if it grew on trees.
Your budget should include a plan for both spending and saving. It's important ... Views: 853
The term alimony may seem foreign to some people, but it is actually just another term for spousal support. It is the financial support that the spouse with a higher income pays to the spouse with a lower income. During a marriage, both parties are obliged to support each other. When a marriage ... Views: 815
Do you know the easiest and best way to get a simple divorce in California? You may be surprised, because the easiest way is by default. If you want to know more about how to get a divorce by default, then you're in luck because this article will tell you exactly how to do so.
To give you a ... Views: 1100
A great misconception about California child support payments is that the issue is always something to be argued about. This is totally wrong. I actually used to have clients, John and Ellen, who believed that child support would be such a difficult issue to settle. Yes, it is one of the most ... Views: 825
Many people think that California child support and spousal support have nothing in common, but the two actually have a few similarities. Although they are not the same thing, there are just a few common characteristics between both kinds of support. Let me tell you a few points that apply to ... Views: 738
One of the most important and powerful things a person can possess is good communication skills. Sure, everyone has communication skills, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're used correctly and effectively. After all, our sophisticated ability to communicate is one of the main ... Views: 903
Divorce books are probably one of the most amazing things ever created. They have helped countless couples get divorced without having to spend so much on those expensive legal fees. We all know how costly legal battles can be, and divorce books help you do your own divorce, eliminating the need ... Views: 796
The idea of stepping into a California divorce court is terrifying for a lot of people, and it is one of the things most people think of first when they hear the word divorce. This, however, is wrong. Television, movies and media in general have made us believe that a divorce always has to go ... Views: 949
This article and my articles "Overcoming Obstacles to Agreement" and "Negotiating Agreement" are about how to deal with disagreement—from simple difference of opinion to active upset and anger—and some specific steps that will help you reach an agreement. As you will see, the things you can do ... Views: 1041
There are ways to go about breaking up that will give you the best chance for a smoother trip through one of life's most difficult passages. This is an exceedingly sensitive time when it doesn't take much to stir things up. Fortunately, because we go through this with other couples a few ... Views: 1229
Experience and academic studies have helped us identify the basic elements of a successful divorce. “Successful” means completing the process of emotional separation, reaching a new center of balance as a single person, maintaining the welfare of your children, and establishing healthy attitudes ... Views: 955
Synopsis: It's okay to use an attorney, but most people should never retain one in their divorce case unless there is a clear reason for doing so. You can save a lot of time, trouble and money if you don't retain an attorney.
Ignorance is the most common trap in the business of divorce, so ... Views: 1253
Of course you want to get your Judgment—that's the goal of your legal divorce—but you don't want to go through the adversarial legal system to get it. You don't want to get all tangled up with lawyers and courts, because the system is designed to work against you.
Instead of going through the ... Views: 1124
If there were no legal system, no lawyers and no courts, divorce would still be difficult and it would still take time to go through it. Divorce is at least a major crossroad in your life, maybe even a full-blown life crisis.
So, here you are, you and your spouse, going through your personal ... Views: 1140
The legal divorce vs. your real divorce
The legal divorce has very limited concerns: to get a judgment of divorce, you have to make arrangements for your property, your children, and support (if any). If you have a high degree of conflict, it is also about keeping the peace and protecting you, ... Views: 846
You can have a better divorce and get more from your attorney by following this advice from award-winning author and divorce expert attorney Ed Sherman, founder of Nolo Press.
Start with the right information. Before your first visit with your attorney, find out about the rules and procedures ... Views: 1292
8 Things You Can Do to Make Any Divorce Better
Divorce is enough to give anyone the blues, but based on my experience with success in over 45,000 cases I can give you the following eight tips that will definitely help make things go more smoothly and easily. Not only that, if you follow my ... Views: 1447
Divorce may be one of the most difficult transitions in your life. You can expect to go through alternating cycles of shock and denial, anger and depression, and understanding and acceptance. Eventually acceptance becomes stronger and lasts longer. Here are 10 things you can do to help bounce ... Views: 2279
There are many advantages to doing your own divorce. Three significant ones are: you'll get a better divorce, you'll save a lot of money, and you'll be able to keep things simple.
Getting a good divorce
Studies show that active participation in your divorce is the single most important factor ... Views: 1325
Is your spouse violent, abusive, harassing? In cases of harassment or violence there are legal remedies and there are practical things you can and must do for yourself. This is not about reaching agreement--these are strategies for self-defense. Mental and physical abuse must never be tolerated. ... Views: 1625
Going through a divorce is no fun for anyone, but children are especially vulnerable. Divorce expert Ed Sherman reveals in his book "Make Any Divorce Better" the following 10 things you can do to make a big difference in how well your children survive.
1. Tell children the truth in simple ... Views: 948
Is there a way to make your divorce easier and cheaper? Absolutely! The right information can put you in control and make your divorce smoother, faster, cheaper, less aggravating and less painful. Here are four traps and how to avoid them when going through a divorce.
IGNORANCE is the most ... Views: 1056
Divorce is one of the most difficult things you may ever go through, but after more than 30 years of helping millions of people get better divorces, I can tell you with certainty that there are several things you can do to reduce the pain, conflict and cost. Unfortunately, the legal system, and ... Views: 1274
Secret to a successful divorce: instead of an attorney use self-help, mediation or collaborative law
As a family-law attorney for over 35 years, I can tell you that the secret to a successful divorce is to minimize your involvement with the legal system and to avoid using lawyers who work in ... Views: 885