Goldberg Jones
Divorce & Family Law Blog
Welcome to the divorce blog. You’ll find information on a broad range of topics related to divorce, support payments, child custody, and other family law topics.

September 24, 2025
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“I Work, She Doesn’t: Do I Have to Pay Her Legal Fees?”
“So my wife is filing for divorce and we’ve got a couple kids and some properties. I work, she doesn’t. I haven’t engaged a lawyer yet, but her lawyer is

September 15, 2025
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Can Fantasy Football Benefit Divorced Dads?
You may think of fantasy football as a way to make Sundays more interesting or as a tool to gain bragging rights, but it can also help out divorced dads.

September 3, 2025
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Can Kids Decide They Don’t Want Visitation Anymore?
Is there an age in California where a child can legally choose to opt-out of visitation and go against the schedule laid out in a parenting plan?

August 21, 2025
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How Are Mediation and Arbitration Different?
Divorce doesn’t necessarily need to take place in court, there are other options, and two popular choices are mediation and arbitration.

August 14, 2025
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Back To School Tips Divorced Dads Should Know
Sadly, it’s time to go back to school. This can be tough for both kids and parents, especially divorced dads. Here are some tips to help smooth things out.

August 3, 2025
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Can You Buy A House During A Divorce?
You may need a new place to live after ending your marriage, but it may not be the right time to buy a house during a divorce.

July 30, 2025
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How To Minimize Conflict In Divorce
Emotions are high and tempers can flare, but that’s no reason to lose control. Here are some tips to help avoid or lessen conflict after your divorce.

July 23, 2025
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Top 10 Comic Book Lawyers
Given our profession, it’s a safe bet that when it comes to the pages of comic books, some of our favorite characters are lawyers. Here are our favorites.

July 9, 2025
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Marijuana and Child Custody: Can I Still Smoke Weed?
Recreational marijuana has been legal in California for a year and a half, how does this newfound status impact child custody disputes?

June 23, 2025
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We Bought A House Together But Broke Up, Now What?
CALLER: “I’m with a long-term girlfriend who is cheating now. Or has been for a while. But we bought a house together. I can’t get her to go out, and

June 12, 2025
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10 Baseball Movies For Dad This Father’s Day
Father’s Day is almost here. It’s also the thick of baseball season. One of our favorite celebrations is watching baseball movies with the old man.

June 5, 2025
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Pro Se: A Closer Look At DIY Divorce
Do-it-Yourself divorce has never been more accessible than it is now. But just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should.

May 29, 2025
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High Asset Divorce Mistakes
Every divorce has a lot at stake, but high asset divorce presents its own unique problems. Here are some costly common mistakes people make.

May 21, 2025
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Gift or Inheritance? Does That Matter For Your Divorce Settlement?
“I’m married. Say my wife got a ‘gift’ but it’s called an ‘inheritance’ even though her parents are still alive. Is that an actual ‘gift’ or is it really an

May 14, 2025
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My Ex Isn’t Making Child Support Payments
California law provides guidelines for courts to use in determining and setting child support payment amounts.

April 30, 2025
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What Are The Consequences Of Moving Out During Divorce?
Leaving the marital home without having a strategy in place, can create a significant disadvantage throughout the rest of the divorce process.

April 24, 2025
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Things You Should Never Do During Divorce
People damage their own cases in countless ways. To help minimize that, here are eight things you should never do during divorce.

April 3, 2025
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Custody Modification: What If Your Kids Hate Living With Your Ex?
There are bound to be clashes as the custodial parent enforces the rules while the other gets to be the “fun parent.”

March 26, 2025
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Statute Of Limitations on College Education
CALLER: “Per the decree, my ex and I share college expenses for our children. So my question is, considering one of them is about to turn 22 and hasn’t even

March 18, 2025
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What If You Disagree With Your Divorce Attorney?
In general, it’s a good idea to have representation during a divorce. The process often gets twisted quickly, and having a professional guide usually saves time, money, and hassle. That

March 11, 2025
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How Video Games Impact Marriage and Divorce
For many, video games offer a way to kill time and decompress from the pressures of the day. But what happens to a marriage when escape becomes addiction?

March 5, 2025
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Do You Have To Give Back An Engagement Ring?
CALLER: “So my fiancé and I were given a ring from a family friend. The ring is in her name from her husband and then he passed away, so she

February 26, 2025
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Types of Divorce Discovery Tools
In contested divorces, discovery may prove incredibly valuable. Discovery compels each side to reveal what evidence and info they have.

February 19, 2025
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Missteps That Hurt Your Custody Case
It’s easy to make mistakes that hurt child custody cases, but here are a few common missteps that can sink a case and how to avoid them.

February 14, 2025
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How Are Pensions Divided During Divorce?
CALLER: “I was just wondering how a pension works? If one person has a pension, and the other doesn’t, do they get some of that or not until they start

February 7, 2025
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Valentine’s Day Ideas For Divorced Dads
It’s still early in February, but you’ve probably noticed store displays full of various-sized hearts, pink everything, and chocolate as far as the eye can see. A romantic holiday can

January 29, 2025
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Is Alimony Possibile After 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?”

January 23, 2025
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What If You Made A Mistake On Your Divorce Decree?
CALLER: “My divorce was finalized in 2010 and in the division of assets it was actually pretty amicable. However, there was not language in the decree for her to refinance

January 15, 2025
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Arbitration Or Court: Which Is Better for Me?
CALLER: “I’m going through a divorce. My ex recently got a lawyer and wants to do arbitration. What are the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration over going to court?”

January 9, 2025
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Is January Divorce Month?
Over recent years, January has become known by many as “divorce month,” but just how accurate is that unflattering title?

December 18, 2024
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The Awkward Conversation of Prenups and Postnups
Prenuptial agreements are often the prudent move before marriage. So, how do you ask for one? It’s often an uncomfortable conversation.

December 11, 2024
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Can Your Ex Take a House You Inherited?
CALLER: “My sister and her husband are getting a divorce. They live in a house that was willed [to her] by our parents when they passed away. They were married

November 21, 2024
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During Legal Separation, Are You Responsible For Your Spouse’s Debt?
Marriage means intertwining two lives. When a marriage ends, divorce is the process of untangling them. Part of that means dividing up any shared assets you amass together. Another unfortunate

November 13, 2024
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“This Right Here Is Why You Need A Parenting Plan”
CALLER: “I recently broke up with my girlfriend of three years. We had a kid together, and I’ve been paying her child support and keeping track with money orders. So

November 7, 2024
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Going to Trial Without an Attorney
CALLER: “My son has temporary custody of my two-year-old granddaughter. We’ve been trying to get permanent custody, and it’s been going through the courts little by little. It’s taken us

October 30, 2024
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Helpful Tips For Smooth Custody Exchanges
After a divorce, you may never want to see your ex again, but if you have kids, meeting during custody exchanges is likely going to happen.

October 23, 2024
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“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?

October 16, 2024
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10 Great Halloween Horror Movies For The Family
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s a great time to watch horror movies. And because many of us have kids, here are some family-friendly choices.

October 9, 2024
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Scary Divorce Facts You Should Know
You have a great deal to consider when ending a marriage, and not to pile on, but there are a handful of scary divorce facts to be aware of.

September 12, 2024
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How Is A Military Pension Divided During Divorce?
Military service complicates many relationships. It also complicates the divorce process. One area that often gets twisted is military pensions.

August 22, 2024
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Avoiding Foreclosure If Your Ex Won’t Sell Your Home
When an ex refuses to sell a home, a number of issues large. But what can you do? How can you protect yourself against foreclosure in divorce?

August 15, 2024
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Can Your Spouse Prevent A Divorce? No-Fault Divorce
It’s the stuff of melodramatic TV movies, being trapped in a loveless marriage. But can your spouse actually prevent you from getting a divorce?

August 12, 2024
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How Is Credit Card Debt Divided During Divorce?
If you file for divorce and share credit card debt with your spouse, in the state of California, you are equally liable for paying it off.

August 6, 2024
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What is a Gray Divorce?
Couples ending marriages later in life face a number of unique challenges and concerns. Here’s what you need to know about gray divorce.

July 24, 2024
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The 10 Best Comic Book Dads
Focusing on family law, it makes sense many of our favorite comic book characters are fathers. But who are the best comic book dads? Check out our list.

July 18, 2024
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Child Support For A Non-Biological Child?
What happens if your wife shows up pregnant with someone else’s child during your divorce? Are you on the hook for child support?

July 9, 2024
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“If I Leave the House, Do I Lose My Equity?”
This is a complicated situation that encompasses domestic violence, home equity, and what to do if you can’t go to the authorities.

June 25, 2024
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“Do I Need A Divorce Attorney If My Ex Has One?”
Going up against a divorce attorney without your own representation puts you at a serious disadvantage. Our founder explains why.

June 11, 2024
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How to Qualify For An Annulment
There are two options to end a marriage. Divorce or annulment. Divorce is by far the more common choice because qualifying for an annulment is not easy.

June 5, 2024
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“She Wants to Move My Kid Out Of State”
CALLER: “My Baby mama is trying to move to California for a job and she’s trying to take my kid with her. We have joint custody in our parenting plan.