PERSONAL MATTERS.
PERSONALIZED APPROACH.
This blog addresses what a Register of Actions review can reliably establish in a California family law matter, and what it cannot. A Register of Actions is a clerk-maintained index-like docket that reflects the titles and dates of filings and proceedings in family...
What is venue, how to raise the issue, and what the court considers: When a parent files a case in the wrong county, the issue of venue arises, and the court's response depends on whether the defendant raises a timely objection and whether the venue is proper under...
Summer vacations are supposed to be exciting for families, but in co-parenting situations, last-minute travel requests can quickly create conflict. Every year, courts see an increase in emergency filings and custody disputes tied to vacation schedules, out-of-state...
The big picture: "Best interests" is not a slogan-it is a safety-first decision rule California custody and visitation decisions are driven by a single organizing principle: the child's health, safety, and welfare come first. Judges may value children having frequent...
Rising costs in 2026 are reshaping the financial realities of separated and divorced families across California. From housing and childcare to groceries and transportation, inflation is not just a background economic issue; it is directly influencing how courts...
Why "Separated Under One Roof" Requires Extra Care Ending a relationship does not always mean one person can immediately move out, especially in high-cost areas or when children are involved. In California, continuing to share a home after a breakup can create...
A “breakup budget” should be built around preserving the estate at separation and anticipating mandatory financial disclosures. California's stated policy to preserve community assets and liabilities "at the date of separation" makes the separation date a key...
The abrupt cancellation of Season 22 of The Bachelorette has become one of the most talked-about celebrity stories in recent weeks. However, beneath the headlines lies a complex and serious intersection of domestic violence, public accountability, and family law. At...
Stepparent adoption is one of the most common types of adoption in California, allowing a stepparent to legally adopt their spouse's child and establish a permanent parent-child relationship. Below, we’ll explore what stepparent adoption looks like and outline key...
In California Family Courts, gifts are distinguished from other transfers of money or property between romantic partners, which is why informal understandings can later become disputes when the parties disagree about whether repayment was originally intended....