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.
can kids refuse visitation
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 ...
should you choose mediation or arbitration
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. ...
getting ready to go back to school
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 ...
tips to avoid conflict 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 ...
lawyers in comics
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 ...
how does weed affect custody

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? ...
how to divide a house when not married

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 ...
baseball movies to watch with dad
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. ...
DIY divorce in California

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. ...
making mistakes in divorce ca affect your finances
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. ...
how are they treated in property division

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’ ...
motion to enforce child support payments

My Ex Isn’t Making Child Support Payments

California law provides guidelines for courts to use in determining and setting child support payment amounts. ...
consequences to moving out of shared home during divorce
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. ...
what not to do in california divorce
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. ...
what do you do when your kids want to stay with you and not your ex
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.” ...
child support after 18
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 ...
do I have recourse if I disagree with attorney
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 ...
video game habits and divorce
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 ...
who gets to keep the engagement ring

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 ...
discovery tools in a contested divorce
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. ...
avoidable missteps in child custody
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 ...
when does an ex qualify for your pension

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 ...
ideas for dads
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 ...
alimony after 19 years of separation
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 ...
can you alter a divorce decree

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 ...
which is better court or arbitration
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 ...
divorce stats in january
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? ...
how do prenups and postnups work

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. ...
house was willed to me can ex take it

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 ...
will you be on the hook for their debt?
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 ...
unmarried parents and parenting plans
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 ...
gavel trial attorney
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 ...
help exchanges go smoother
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 ...
parental plans unmarried parents
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? ...
Halloween movies to watch
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 ...
things you didn't know about divorce
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 ...
how are military pensions divided in california

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. ...
special master home sale in divorce
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 ...
if you want to get divorced can your spouse stop you
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? ...
community property and it's affect on debt
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 ...
is gray divorce different than other divorces
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. ...
greatest comic book dads
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 ...
child support non-biological child
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? ...
property equity in divorce
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. ...
do i have to have a divorce lawyer
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. ...
what is the different between annulment and divorce

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 ...
can i keep her from taking my kid

“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 ...
cohabitation and modifying spousal support

Post-Divorce Cohabitation And Its Effect on Spousal Support

If your divorce requires spousal support, making payments while knowing your ex is living with someone else may be a bitter pill to swallow. You ...
what is the date of separation

Date of Separation in California

The date of separation has a huge impact on divorce, but a significant change to California law is about to alter the landscape. ...
how to prepare for your child custody case
May 13, 2024
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Preparing Your Custody Case

Child custody cases have a massive impact on your life and the lives of your children, so how you prepare is a matter of great ...