Domestic violence is a silent yet ubiquitous problem. It is estimated that, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States which translates into 10 million people a year. Domestic violence hotlines across the country receive more than 20,000 phone calls reporting instances of abuse every day. And even though these numbers are already distressing, what’s even Read More

Divorce is never easy. Even when both spouses come to a mutual understanding that their relationship is beyond repair and both wish to terminate their marriage, the process itself is often emotionally taxing. However, a divorce can be even more nerve-wracking if the spouses can’t reach an agreement with regards to crucial matters such as child custody and child support or the details of the division of Read More

In California, receiving financial support and care from parents is every child's legal right. This right remains in force from the moment a child is born until they reach the age of 18 or 19 if still enrolled in high school. Both parents are obliged to provide such support whether they are married, divorced, or separated. If one parent refuses to comply with his or her obligation to provide for a child, the other Read More

Regardless of how your marriage ends, things get complicated when you and your ex-spouse have children and a custody arrangement in place that you both need to respect. Of course, you likely understand how important co-parenting is for your children's psychological development and emotional well-being. However, the challenges of co-parenting aren’t as insurmountable as they may seem at first. In fact, there is a lot Read More

For many of those who experience divorce, the period just after the papers are signed can be as equally challenging as the divorce itself. For some, starting a new life following the divorce may be even more difficult and confusing. For example, a newly divorced person may find it hard to re-adjust to living as a single person again. Additionally, a new set of circumstances related to custody arrangements, a change Read More

According to research, divorce is the second-most-stressful event a person can experience -  only the death of a spouse has the potential to cause more distress than the divorce process. Both events, however, spell a painful loss followed by dramatic life changes. No wonder then, if you are going through a divorce or even preparing for it, you may be under a lot of pressure and stress. Since stress can have a very Read More

One of the most important legal steps in a divorce is a fair and equitable division of marital property. In order to do so, both spouses must commit to an honest disclosure of all their assets, earnings, and debt. In California, community property - that is, property owned equally by both spouses - must be divided equally. In an amicable divorce, both parties are usually able to reach an agreement with regards to how Read More

When a person feels trapped in an unhappy marriage, a divorce may seem like a swift solution to the marital problems. To some adults disillusioned by their married life, it may even look like the only way to regain happiness. However, research indicates that going through a divorce may cause a whole range of psychological issues such as increased stress, lowers life satisfaction, depression, and even increased Read More

A divorce may result in sudden changes in a person’s life. Whether it’s living on your own, figuring out the complexities of child visitation rights, or finding a completely new set of friends, such changes are often drastic and difficult to adjust to. Some of them may even be difficult to foresee before a divorce. Nevertheless, one important and easily-anticipated adjustment a person who is going into a divorce Read More

Disputes regarding child custody are often the most stressful and most contentious aspect of a divorce. Each of the divorcing parents may be equally convinced that it will be in the child’s best interest if they are granted the custody rights. It is likely, however, that the divorcing parents already differ greatly with regards to what constitutes the child’s best interest, as well as how he or she should be raised. Read More