Articles

Prenuptial Agreements (prenups) can protect you from your spouse’s debts, determine how your assets are passed on if you should …

Continue reading “Prenuptial Agreements”

California does not have a common law marriage statute. No matter how long a couple lives together is a marriage …

Continue reading “Nonmarital Cohabitation Disputes”

In 1981, the United States Supreme Court, in McCarthy v. McCarthy, held that the state courts could not divide federal …

Continue reading “Military Retirement Pay”

One often wonders once a Petition for Dissolution has been filed, or perhaps before it is filed, “Is my spouse …

Continue reading “Is Your Spouse Hiding Assets?”

This was the question in a recent case from First Appellate District that was on appeal from Contra Costa County. …

Continue reading “Is It Separate Property Or Community Property?”

In the case of In Re Marriage of Lange, 2002 DJDAR 11031 the Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of …

Continue reading “Husband And Wife Are Subject To The General Rules Governing Fiduciary Relationships”

In a recent case, Marriage of Mathews, husband and wife met in Japan and later married. Thereafter, they purchased a …

Continue reading “Having Your Name On Title To Your Home Is Important”

Running your own business can be complicated. Just as complicated if not more complicated is figuring out how to address …

Continue reading “Half The Assets, Half The Business Valuing Your Business In A Divorce”

Are gifts given during marriage considered community or separate property at the time of divorce? For example, if I purchase …

Continue reading “Gifts Between Spouses: When Is A Gift Not Really A Gift?”

The case of Rich v. Southern California IBEW held that upon the Alternate Payee’s death, the retiree will receive the …

Continue reading “Full Pension Benefit Restores After Death Of Alternate Payee”

In the case of Mejia v. Reed, 2002 DJDAR 3455 the Court of Appeal for the Sixth Appellate District concluded …

Continue reading “Fraudlent Transfers And Marital Property Settlements”

My oldest sibling, my sister, passed away two years ago. She did not leave a large estate, but even more …

Continue reading “Family Law’s Perspective on Estate Planning”

An interesting situation develops when during a marriage the spouses take the title of their real property and, for whatever …

Continue reading “Do I Still Own My Home?”

The divorce rate has doubled for adults aged 55 to 64 since the 1990’s, according to the National Center for …

Continue reading “Divorce Considerations if You’re 55+”

For the spouse who wants to keep the family home, it is a sanctuary. For the spouse who wants to …

Continue reading “Divorce and the Family Home”

Divorce presents many financial challenges. If you’ve acquired significant 401k funds during marriage, your retirement account may be at the …

Continue reading “Divorce and Retirement – Options For Your 401k Plan”