Divorce and Family Law Blog

What Happens if My Spouse Dies While We’re in the Middle of a Divorce?

If the unthinkable happens and your spouse dies during a divorce, the divorce proceedings will stop. You cannot divorce a deceased person under California law. Instead of being a divorcee, you are now a surviving spouse.  You may have been mentally prepared for the divorce. However, you may not have been prepared for becoming a… read more

Is My Ex-Spouse Allowed to Take Our Child Out of the Country?

Divorce is complicated. But when the dust finally settles—and assets are divided and custody assigned—you might feel like you can breathe a sigh of relief at last. After all, every issue has been resolved. Right? Unfortunately, this is not the experience for many divorcees. Divorce, much like life, brings daily questions. This is especially true… read more

Can a Child Sue for Child Support?

Courts typically order parents to pay child support when parents divorce or separate. Sometimes, a parent does not pay child support as ordered. The other parent can sue them if this happens. However, an interesting case from 2014 raised the question of whether a child can also sue for child support. This particular case involved… read more

How to File for Legal Separation in California

In the state of California, there are three ways to end a marriage: divorce, annulment, or legal separation. All of these methods require spouses to fill out and file several forms.  Legal separation is the only option that does not fully and permanently dissolve the marriage. Though many of the same things happen in a… read more

What is in a Divorce Decree in San Diego, CA?

A divorce can be a drawn-out process for a variety of reasons. A divorce in California is not considered finalized until a court issues a divorce decree. A divorce decree is an official document that resolves the major legal issues between a divorcing couple, such as child custody and property division. It is important to… read more

Do Grandparents Have Rights in San Diego, CA?

There are various reasons why a parent might limit a grandparent’s right or ability to see their grandchildren. If you’re a grandparent in San Diego, California, and you believe you are being unfairly prevented from seeing your grandchildren, you may wonder if this is legal. The following overview will help you understand what you need… read more

How to Serve Divorce Papers in San Diego, CA

When you are planning to file for divorce, there are many important elements that go into the process. One of the most crucial steps is serving the other party with divorce papers.  Specifically, you will need to serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition of Dissolution, any other papers you have filed with the… read more

How Long Do Alimony Payments Last In California?

If you’re getting a divorce in San Diego, California, you or your spouse may be required to pay alimony. Courts typically order alimony payments to ensure that a spouse can maintain their lifestyle after a divorce. Alimony may not last forever. Usually, the payments only continue for a certain length of time. The length of… read more

How Domestic Violence Can Impact Your Divorce

Domestic violence and spousal abuse occur more often than many people realize. One reason is that abuse is underreported. Abused spouses are often scared to report what happened or think no one will believe that their spouse is abusive.  Sadly, many abused spouses remain in the marriage because they are unaware there is help available…. read more

How COVID Has Affected the San Diego Divorce Process

The divorce process can be a challenge. However, divorcing during the COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges. The coronavirus caused a halt to many court proceedings. Courthouses throughout California had to shut down last year to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, courts implemented several strategies to deal with emergency court actions during the COVID-19 pandemic,… read more