California Divorce Law

Is Joint Custody Better for Children?

Dishon & Block: California Divorce and Family Law
Is a child better off when both parents have custody? Determining child custody is one of the most difficult aspects of many divorces; while it may not be in the best interest of the child to live with both parents in a single household, the bulk of research shows that joint custody is better for the child’s health and well being. It is not the specific living situation, per se, that contributes to well being, but the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

Find an Attorney Who Knows Divorce Law

Dishon & Block: California Family Law
If you are going through a California divorce, you have undoubtedly heard endless horror stories of unfair settlements, ferocious court battles, and angry, bitter couples ruining the day they met. Most divorces are able to be settled, if not amicably, then civilly, whether with the help of mediators or the court. Several issues complicate divorces, including community property, child custody and support, debt, and housing. Because of the complexity of family law and tensions that typically surround divorce, hiring an attorney who specializes in divorce law is often a necessity. How do you find the right lawyer?

Do Divorce and Alimony Settlements Require a Family Lawyer?

Alimony Calculator: Do-it-yourself divorce and alimony is rarely, if ever, a good idea. Take this creative approach tried by a man in Mississippi: he put an ad in Craigslist offering “10K to the man or woman who marries” his ex-wife so he would be free from alimony payments. He did add the caveat: “This offer is null and void if it is determined to be illegal in any way – I am not a lawyer.” An amusing ad, but you can be sure your soon-to-be ex-spouse and family court judge will not find it as funny. California does not require that you be represented by a lawyer during a divorce proceeding, but having a family attorney may be in your best interests.

While Money Doesn’t Cause Divorce, It Must Be Protected

For decades, it’s been thought that financial stress is among the main causes of divorce. Sure spouses fight over money. One spends too much while the other doesn’t earn enough. But is financial difficulty a major culprit in the filing of divorce? Recent university research says, no.

Jan Anderson, an associate professor at California State University, wrote his doctoral dissertation on the subject. Like many Americans, Anderson’s parents divorced when he was a child. And like many, he believed in the notion that money problems are among the leading causes of divorce. As an adult he even taught courses in personal finance to help people develop better money skills to save their marriages.

What are current California Family Law specs?

To be granted divorce in California you must fulfill certain “residency requirements.” You or your spouse must have resided in the state for a minimum of the previous six months. What’s more, you or your spouse is required to have lived in the country in which you are filing, for at least the previous three months.

While you or your spouse may claim reasons for the filing of divorce, in California you do not have to do this. You can reduce the stress of divorce by claiming, “irreconcilable differences.” In the end, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is that the marriage is ending; only that it end as quickly and painlessly as possible for all parties involved.

What is Family Law?

Legal issues pertaining to the family can be highly emotional and bitterly contentious. It is important to know your rights, the rights of any children you may have, and how the process will unfold. The law firm of Dishon and Block specializes in all aspects of California family law, including the following:

• Prenuptial Agreements

• Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships

• Paternity, Paternal Rights and Liabilities, Paternity Fraud and Testing

• Fertility and Surrogacy

• Adoption, Guardianship, Foster Care, Child Emancipation

• Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, Child Abuse, Child Abduction

• Separation, Divorce and Annulment

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