Custody tends to get complicated. Especially if one party isn’t a child’s biological parent. And the deck is stacked against third-party custody cases.
Do I Have a Claim to the House If I’m Not On the Loan?
The fact that you were married and you purchased this home while married, it doesn’t matter that your name isn’t on the loan. The question comes down to, was there a significant down payment? And if so, did that come from community property or separate property?
Is Visitation Allowed If You Have Warrants?
Legal problems have a way of following a person around, but how do they impact child custody arrangements and visitation?
Statute Of Limitations on College Education
Post-secondary education is one instance where child support continues past 18, but how long does that obligation last? Is there a cut-off?
Changing a Child’s Last Name After Divorce
After a divorce, can you change your child’s last name? Even if you have full custody and decision-making powers?
The Parenting Plan Is A Custody Rulebook
After a divorce, many parents are able to work together to co-parent their kids. But even then problems arise, which make parenting plans so vital.
A House Divided: Divorce When You Work From Home
Splitting up a house in divorce can get tricky in the best of times, but what if one party depends on the shared home for a big part of their income?
Can I Reuse A Divorce Decree?
If you marry a person, divorce them, marry that person again, and divorce them a second time, can you reuse the same divorce decree?
She Won’t Give Me My Stuff Back
It’s been over a year since we divorced, and I still have belongings in the home and I can’t get them out. What are my options?
Can A Stay At Home Dad Get Full Custody?
As written, divorce and custody laws are gender neutral. Still, can a stay at home dad get full custody of his kids? What are his chances?
Potential Spousal Support Reform: A Q & A
Though designed to be temporary, spousal support often lasts indefinitely. If one Huntington Beach man has his way, that’s about to change.
Are Pets Considered Assets In Divorce?
Pets are treated as an asset in divorce. You may both love the pet equally, but you need to deal with that on your own as the court views it as a ‘thing’.
Recourse For A Mistake On Decree?
Divorce decrees are complicated legal documents and like most court orders, they’re hard to change. But what if there’s a mistake? Can you fix it?
Child Support After 18 & Post-Secondary Education
How long do I have to pay child support? It’s a question we hear often. As is so often the case in family law matters, there’s a quick answer and a more in-depth conversation. And what about post-secondary education? How do you plan for that following divorce? One of our …
We Got Divorced, Why Am I Still On The Hook For The Home Loan?
For most of us, buying a house is the biggest purchase we ever make. So when it comes to divorce, it’s no surprise it’s often one of the primary assets to divide. But how does divorce impact things like home loans? If you end your marriage, are you still on …
Gift or Inheritance? And Why That Matters
Is it a gift or inheritance? Does it matter? That’s a question we hear often during divorce proceedings. The answer may impact how the courts view certain assets and thus how they are divided. It’s easy to see why this is important information to have. Rick Jones, one of our …
How Are Pensions Divided During Divorce?
Pensions are less and less common these days as fewer companies offer them to employees, but they do still show up during divorce. The attached question usually runs along the lines of, “I worked my whole life, can my ex really take part of my pension in the divorce?” The …
Can I Get Custody of My Grandchild if Her Parents Won’t Parent?
When it comes to child custody decisions, the courts generally put the best interests of the child above other concerns. Part of this most often involves keeping the parents a major part of their lives. But what about situations where the parents can’t or won’t “parent?” Can grandparents step in …
“She owes me $5,000 so I send her less in support. Will I get in trouble?”
“I’ve been paying $1,200 in alimony. I decided to pay $1,100, and take $100 a month out until the $5,000 is paid for. Am I going to get in any kind of trouble for doing that?”
“We’ve been married 40 years, will this divorce get complicated?”
“I’ve been married for over 40 years, what’s the best way to go about divorce? I don’t want to mistreat my wife, but I don’t want to get screwed either.”
“We Bought A House Together But Broke Up, Now What?”
Buying a house is the biggest purchase most people will ever make. But what happens when a couple buys a home and breaks up? Find out here.
My Ex Promised To Pay For Her College, But Won’t Now.
It’s no shock that college is expensive. But what if you and your ex agree to split a child’s tuition, only for your ex to back out?
I Am Worried She Has Done This Before
Divorces, splits, and breakups are never easy. When you combine two lives to that degree, untangling them at the end often becomes a mess.
Can An Ex Take a House Willed To You?
California is a community property state, but cases of inheritance impact this. In a divorce, is inheritance considered community property?
I Pay Support But She Denies Visitation. Is That Legal?
Can your ex deny you visitation with your child? Is that legal? Here are your options and reasons why a parenting plan is such a vital necessity.
Going to Trial Without an Attorney
Should you hire an attorney before you head to court? You probably should. Here’s why it’s usually a massive benefit to your case.
Arbitration Or Court: Which Is Better?
When you think of divorce, you probably picture court. But that’s not the only way to end a marriage. Arbitration is another option, but is it best for you?
How Felony Convictions Impact Custody
Courts consider many factors when ruling on child custody, including criminal records. It’s important to know how a felony conviction may impact your case.
I haven’t seen my daughter in 3 years…
“I haven’t seen my daughter in three years. Her mother has given her to her sister in Arizona and they will not let me talk to her or let me see her.”
Divorce When You Can’t Find Your Spouse
You probably know how complicated divorce can become. But what if you can’t find your spouse? What recourse do you have in divorce if your spouse is MIA?
“If we never married, what happens to the house?”
A couple can buy a house together without being married, but what does that mean if they break up? What are you entitled to and what are your rights?
This Right Here Is Why You Need A Parenting Plan
If you don’t have a parenting plan in place, where do you stand legally? Both in regards to your obligations and your rights as a parent?
“I was given an engagement ring, can they take it back?”
Engagement rings carry great importance, but who actually owns them? And what about if the marriage doesn’t happen as planned?
“Can I Move Out All His Stuff & Change The Locks?”
I am so over my husband right now. The next time he’s on the road for work, can I move out all his stuff and change the locks?
I Work, She Doesn’t: Do I Have to Pay Her Legal Fees?
“So my wife is filing for divorce, I work, she doesn’t. Her lawyer is telling her that I have to pay all the legal fees. Is that true?”
If A Father Isn’t On The Birth Certificate…
Fathers have certain parental rights, but only if paternity has been established. What if they’re not on the birth certificate? What happens then?
Prenups Part 3: A Chess Game
Prenups can help protect you and your assets in a marriage, but what happens if one spouse changes their mind after the fact?
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Child Support?
“Is there a statute of limitation on child support or college support? My son is 24 and graduating this year and my ex hasn’t paid a dime in over a decade.”
Prenup Part 2: How do Prenups & Postnups Work?
There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to prenups and postnups, Rick jones and Danny Bonaduce helps take the mystery of how they work.
Part 1: The Awkward Conversation of a Prenup
Prenuptial agreements are often the prudent move before marriage. So, how do you ask for one? It’s often an uncomfortable conversation.
“Can My Ex Come After My New Spouse’s Income?”
“I pay child support and recently got remarried. Can my ex come after me for more child support, including my new spouse’s income?”
“Do I Still Have To Pay Child Support If My Kid Leaves Home?”
“I have a 17-year-old stepdaughter who went into a three-year Job Corps program, yet we’re still being told we have to pay child support. Is that true?”
Child Custody When There’s No Marriage Certificate
Ending a marriage is tricky business. But how can you divorce if there was never any marriage certificate filed in the first place?
“My Ex Agreed To Pay Off Shared Debt Then Declared Bankruptcy.”
“When they were deciding his child support, my ex got a reduction because he was taking on the debt of the marriage. Then he declared bankruptcy.”
Is Alimony a Possibility After 19 Years of Separation?
“My boyfriend and I have been together for 19 years and we are both still married to our spouses. We want to divorce but his ex wants alimony. Can she?”
My Ex Refuses To Pay Her Share
She’s supposed to pay her share for the kids, but she doesn’t contribute anything. What can I do to make her pay her legally obligated share?
My Ex Was Ordered to Sell Our House But Hasn’t, What Can I Do?
What can you do if your ex doesn’t cooperate with the court-ordered divorce decree? The good news is that you have options.
If I File For Divorce First, Do I Have An Advantage?
“I’ve been told several times that whoever files first in a divorce has the upper hand, the distinct advantage, is that true?”
We Never Married, Do I Still Have Parental Rights?
Child custody disputes are common during divorce. But what about when there was no marriage?Who gets the kids? Do you even have any parental rights?
No Kids & No Property: Do We Need A Divorce?
Founder parter Rick Jones answers the question, “I got a wife, no kids, no property, do I need to get a divorce or can we just live separately?”
“If I Don’t Have a Will Can My Ex Get Everything?”
“I just heard that if I die tomorrow, my ex can sue my estate for everything in the name of supporting my child. Is this true?”
My Ex Invited A Homeless Man To Live With My Kids
What can you do if your ex’s decisions potentially place your children in danger? What options do you have? This one strange story may offer some insight.
Child Endangerment: What Can You Do?
The most vulnerable members of society, it’s tragic when parents don’t care for children. If you encounter a case of child endangerment, what can you do?
I Lost My Job, Can I Get Child Support Payments Decreased?
Child support payments are important, but expensive. What happens if you lose your job and your ability to pay? Can you get them decreased?
I Can’t Afford A Divorce Attorney, But My Wife Has One
Going up against a divorce attorney without your own representation puts you at a serious disadvantage. Our founder explains why.
How long until a spouse qualifies for your pension during marriage?
Retirement benefits like pensions often play a huge part in divorce settlements. But how long do you have to stay married until they kick in?
Do I Need a Parenting Plan If We Weren’t Married?
After parents split, a parenting plan lays out the custody arrangement. But what if the couple never actually married? Do you still need one?
What’s My Ex Entitled To In Divorce?
What’s the difference between separate and community property? How do you determine who is entitled to when it comes to divorce?
How Long Do I Have To Pay Past Due Child Support?
How long do I have to pay child support is a question we get all the time. The answer often depends on the specifics of a particular case.
My Wife Gave Away Guardianship Without My Knowledge
Child custody cases are often heated and complex, but can your spouse give away guardianship of your child without your consent?
“My Ex Wife Convinced The Court I Can’t Be Found.”
Divorce gets complicated in the best of times even when spouses have open lines of communication. But what happens when one spouse goes MIA?
She Wants to Move My Kid Out Of State
If it’s only you, relocating after divorce is relatively simple. However, when there are children and custody issued invovled, things become more complex.
When I Want a Divorce But She Refuses To Talk To Me
Divorce is difficult and complicated in the best of times. It requires back and forth communication. But what if your spouse refuses to talk to you?
I Told My Ex I’d Give Him Money But Changed My Mind
Splitting up a shared life is never easy, but it has a significant impact on your financial future, so it’s important to do your divorce agreement right.
Ballpark. What’s This Divorce Gonna Cost Me?
This probably doesn’t come as a shock to you, but divorce is expensive. One of the most common questions we hear is: how much does divorce cost?