As a parent, your child's well-being is the most important thing to you. Unfortunately, making sure that the child's best interests are respected and upheld during a divorce is not always easy. If you and your ex are negotiating child custody, it is important for both of you to fully understand the implications of the different types of custody.
Am I eligible for alimony?
Post-divorce support payments are often necessary aspects of California family law. For those who earned significantly less than their ex-spouse or left the workplace altogether, alimony -- often referred to as spousal support -- can be an important lifeline. But how can an individual know whether he or she will receive alimony? There are a few factors that usually go into the decision.
Don't split up Fido during property division; see a judge instead
Owning a pet is about so much more than simply feeding an animal. For most people in California, pet ownership means treating an animal like another valued member of the family. Unfortunately for most pet parents, this familial bond has not always translated well during divorce, putting beloved animals in the middle of heated property division disputes. Now, a new California law aims to help these individuals handle things more easily.
Will I have to pay support if we do joint child custody?
Most people know that, in California, child support is usually paid by the noncustodial parent to the parent with primary physical custody. As family law trends are shifting toward more shared child custody situations, will child support roles change to match? Even in cases where parents share roughly equal physical custody, support can still play an important role in the financial well-being of the child.
Do I need to establish paternity for child custody?
Establishing paternity may not always seem like a priority for unmarried couples in California. Even if the parents are no longer in a relationship, if they are civil, why bring the law into things? The stakes are actually fairly high for not doing so. If you have a child for whom you have yet to establish paternity, you will not be able to exercise any child custody, visitation or legal rights.
Could my spouse be concealing assets?
During divorce, California aims to fairly divide marital assets between spouses. However, this can be quickly derailed if one spouse illegally conceals assets from the other. Typically, one family member has greater control and knowledge of the finances than the other. They can use this to their advantage, transferring funds, spending down excess cash and giving their friends or family valuable assets to hold on to until after the divorce.
A prenup can protect you during a high asset divorce
Prenuptial agreements are enjoying a bit of boom in popularity, and experts say there is one group to thank for that -- millennials. As these young adults in California delay marriage in favor of dating for longer periods and advancing their careers, they have significantly more to protect. When thinking ahead, protecting themselves during a potentially high asset divorce is essential.
New law gives pets and owners more options in divorce
California couples often treat their pets not as animals, but as valued members of the family. While this arrangement may work out great for some families, it can also present a serious problem during divorce. Who gets to keep the dog when it is more like a child than a pet? A new law gives judges the ability to help couples address this issue.
