If you and your spouse are looking into a divorce right now, one of the things you should know is that you are in a community property state. If you haven’t ever heard this term before, it can be confusing. Community property states believe that each person in a...
Family Law
What happens if you hide assets during your divorce in California?
Divorce is one of the most draining experiences you can ever go through. Besides the emotional stress and pain, the financial implications of a divorce can also be taxing. Property division is usually one of the most contentious issues during the divorce process. It...
How do you divorce a spouse you can’t find?
As we’ve discussed previously, your spouse can’t stop you from getting a divorce -- no matter how averse they are to the idea. You do, however, still have to go through the proper steps in the divorce process, and that means first making sure that your spouse is...
If your spouse won’t cooperate, can you still get divorced?
There are many cases in which two spouses do not agree on the decision to get divorced. One person wants to end the marriage and the other wants to stay together. They’re not making a joint decision, but the person who doesn’t want to split up usually understands that...
Handling the delicate process of child custody negotiations: 3 tips for success
When you're a parent, ending a marriage means that you’re going to have to come up with a plan for the children you share with your spouse. In California, child custody disputes are often handled through mediation. This can be immensely helpful in diffusing...
Do child support orders survive the death of the payor?
In March’s issue of Contra Costa Lawyer magazine, Virginia Ekelund of Doyle Quane discusses the treatment of child support upon death of the payor. Virginia is a litigator with over thirty years of successful advocacy for her clients in State and Federal courts...
What is a forensic accountant, and how do they help during divorce?
Forensic accountants are specialists who investigate where money has gone or where it is coming from. They specialize in tracking funds and unraveling cases where fraud may be present. A forensic accountant can help during a divorce, because they are able to look over...
Dirty divorce trick 101: Conflicting out the best lawyers
Ending a marriage can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but when you’re dealing with a spouse that’s inclined to “go low” and play tricks, your divorce can quickly get complicated in ways that you’d never expect. One of the most underhand moves of all,...
Divorce and your kids: What to expect (and what to do)
Heritage Foundation data shows that an estimated one million children experience the consequences of their parents' divorce annually. The dissolution of their parents' marriages can affect them in many ways. If you're a parent going through a divorce, you need to...
Is your spouse hiding money from you?
You feel like your spouse has one foot out the door already, but they haven’t asked for a divorce. Nor have they been receptive to the idea of marital counseling. You suspect that they’re hiding money so that they can “feather their nest” for an eventual split. Are...