In a family-oriented community like Calabasas, the question "What's in a name?" is profoundly important. Under California law, a name on the birth certificate is strong proof of parentage for many purposes, including the right to make medical and educational decisions...
Divorce can be challenging for everyone in the family, but children might have an even harder time processing it. While you navigate this difficult transition, your child may need support and reassurance. Certain steps can help you avoid subjecting them to emotional...
Building a life with a partner is meant to be a happy and rewarding journey. However, you might realize that your spouse is no longer the companion you need after many years together. If you find yourself in this predicament, you are not alone. Many couples in...
Deciding to move with a child you are co-parenting is rarely easy. Whether the move is driven by career opportunities or a desire for a better quality of life, it can directly affect your existing custody arrangement and your child’s relationship with the other...
Handshake agreements often appeal to parents who want to stay out of court. However, oral child support arrangements can lead to serious financial problems for high-income families in California. Because the law treats child support as a right that belongs to the...
Many parents think signing a birth certificate is the final step to becoming a legal father. You likely filled out hospital forms and saw your name on the official paper. While this is an important emotional milestone, California law often requires more to fully...
When you are not married to your child’s mother, you may face unexpected hurdles regarding your parental role. Many fathers believe that simply having their name on a birth certificate grants them full legal authority. However, California law requires specific actions...
Like many other states, California has a formal process its laws refer to as legal separation. The process allows a couple legally to divide up their property and debts, create a parenting plan, establish spousal and child support, and basically, take all those steps...
In a California divorce, property division is often contentious. The state follows a community property model in property division, meaning that almost everything acquired by either spouse during the marriage is owned jointly with the other spouse. However, property...
Divorce can be fraught with complexities. You’ll have to find a way to advocate for yourself when dealing with key legal issues, such as property division and custody, all at a time when emotions are running on high and the evidence may seem overwhelming. And when...