California Family Law Blog

How important is it to prepare for divorce?

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC on Sunday, June 3, 2018.

Making the decision to end a marriage is not an easy choice, but there are specific things you can do to reduce the complications associated with the process. Many people find it beneficial to adequately prepare as they consider their divorce options and get ready to move forward with the necessary legal steps.

If you are considering divorce in California, you may find it beneficial to think about how you can prepare for the end of your marriage. There are practical steps you can take that will shield your interests and reduce the chance of complications in the future. Preparing well can help lessen the strain and stress of divorce.

Keep kids' stress levels low re co-parenting after divorce

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC on Sunday, May 20, 2018.

When you divorced, you knew that you and your kids would go through an adjustment period while adapting to your new lifestyle. Perhaps your friends who had already gone through divorce warned you about some of the possible challenges you'd experience during your first post-divorce year. If you have a solid parenting plan and kids that know you'll be there to support them along the way, your family may be able to move forward in life without any major post-divorce complications.

Hopefully, you and your former spouse were able to negotiate a co-parenting plan that included all of the necessary instructions for out-of-the-ordinary times when your kids' typical schedules would change, such as holidays and summer vacation from school. As for the latter, you can do several things to keep your shared parenting arrangement running smoothly all summer. One is to be fully aware of your parenting rights and know where to seek support if a problem arises.

Include more than physical assets in your prenuptial agreement

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Prenuptial Agreements on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

Drafting a prenuptial agreement is a step that many California couples take in order to ensure the full protection of their financial interests in case of a divorce. However, it is possible to custom tailor these agreements to your individual needs and objectives. You can include provisions for not only your physical assets, but your digital assets as well.

People often fail to include digital assets in their prenuptial agreements, but there are many benefits to including intangible property. Many people preparing to marry fail to consider how much of their lives are stored online and how many of their assets are digital. It can be beneficial to consider these things as you are preparing your agreement, as this can help you avoid many complications in the event of a divorce.

Protect yourself when divorcing your business partner

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Divorce on Friday, March 9, 2018.

The uncertainty of your future after a divorce may be compounded if you are married to your business partner. Not only does such a divorce raise concerns about coping emotionally, deciding where to live and wondering about your financial resources, but it may cut to the heart of your life goals and livelihood.

Divorcing your business partner is a delicate matter, and it involves a complex tangle of your personal and professional life. There are actions you can take to preserve your business and minimize the stress for both you and your employees.

Types of child custody and your rights as a parent

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Child Custody on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.

California parents who are facing a divorce or custody dispute know that the decisions made during this process will affect their children for many years. Child custody is often one of the most contentious issues in divorces, but parents can avoid unnecessary disputes and complications simply by understanding more about the child custody options available to them.

Some parents do not realize that there are different types of child custody. In fact, there is much more to a custody order than just the amount of time you will be able to spend with your child. When fighting to protect your parental rights and the best interests of your kids through a beneficial custody order, it is immensely helpful to understand the differences between the different types of child custody.

Are child support orders open to adjustments?

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Child and Spousal Support on Sunday, January 7, 2018.

You and your former spouse went through the divorce process, and, in the end, a judge ordered you to supply financial support for your children. No big deal; you were expecting it. Now, months or years down the line, you've experienced a change in circumstances, so making that child support payment is not as easy as it once was. Is there anything you can do to reduce your obligation?

Believe it or not, you may adjust a child support order -- under the right circumstances. Wondering how you can do this?

Prenuptial agreements protect your personal interests in divorce

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Prenuptial Agreements on Friday, December 8, 2017.

Getting engaged is a life-changing event for many people in California. You probably looked forward to the moment when you or your significant other had the opportunity to say "Yes" for quite some time before the right opportunity finally arose.

An engagement marks the beginning of a journey that two people plan on making through life, but amid the flowers, dress and venue shopping for the wedding, you might have forgotten an invaluable part of the process -- a prenuptial agreement.

What if my former spouse is undermining my parental rights?

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Family Law on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.

The end of a marriage can bring out significant conflicts between the two parties. It is not easy to reach decisions about important child custody issues, and sometimes, these disputes can carry over long after the divorce is final. For some California parents, they may find that issues with their former spouses can continue to affect their custody arrangements and their parental rights.

Parental alienation and interference are threats to your rights as a parent and your relationship with your children. If your former spouse refuses to abide by the terms of your custody order, robbing you of your rightful time with your children, you have options. You do not have to sit quietly by, but you may take the necessary steps to fight for your interests.

Know what separates legal separation from a divorce

On behalf of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Family Law on Monday, October 9, 2017.

When a married couple decides that the relationship is over, they have the choice to move forward with a divorce or arrange to live separately. For some California couples, immediately moving ahead with a divorce is not possible, but simply moving out could leave both parties vulnerable to complications. In this situation, drafting a legal separation agreement could be beneficial.

Legal separation functions much like a divorce does, but the separated couple will remain married. Having a formal agreement can make the time of transition easier, but it can also allow both parties to ensure the protection of their property rights and financial interests.

"ESSENTIALS OF CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW" SEVENTH EDITION NOW AVAILABLE!

By Marshall Waller of Feinberg & Waller, APC posted in Family Law on Tuesday, October 3, 2017.

The updated 2017, Seventh Edition of The Essentials of California Family Law by Marshall W. Waller, CFLS, is available for purchase just in time for the upcoming October 2017, California Certified Family Law Specialist Exam.