Articles Posted in Child Support

How to Complete a Family Law Appeal

How to Complete a Family Law Appeal

Navigating family law cases in court can be difficult because these cases often involve heavy emotions, even in the best circumstances. Those emotions can be even more heightened if you receive a court decision that is not in your favor. If you believe the decision made by the courts in your case is unfair, the team at Bickford Blado & Botros can help you with an appeal.

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What to Know About Child Support

What to Know About Child Support

Divorce is a difficult process, even if the former couple is able to be respectful and work together to find the best solutions. In many cases, children suffer the most during a divorce because their lives are turned upside down and they have no control over the circumstances. It is essential during a divorce involving children that their needs are met and that they continue to be cared for effectively. This is often accomplished through child support. If you are dealing with a divorce and need assistance with child support, the expert team at Bickford Blado & Botros can help.

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How Does the California Family Court Address Criminal Behavior?

How Does the California Family Court Address Criminal Behavior?

It’s unfortunate that thousands of people across the United States experience various forms of domestic violence each year. Many victims endure protracted periods of extended abuse, and others suffer acute traumatic injuries from domestic violence. In the event you or a loved one has experienced domestic violence of any kind, the incident is likely to generate many possible legal proceedings in different areas of law.

The state enforces strict criminal codes that outline penalties for domestic violence-related offenses, so anyone who commits an act of domestic violence is likely to face prosecution in a California criminal court. Additionally, domestic violence can easily be a precursor to a divorce and a child custody determination. When a spouse and/or parent has committed domestic violence, they face criminal charges and severe repercussions through the family court system.

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How to Resolve Contested Divorce Mediation

How to Resolve Contested Divorce Mediation

Many divorcing couples in California are taking advantage of alternative dispute resolution to save time and money on their divorce cases. Divorce mediation has quickly grown to be the most popular form of alternative dispute resolution, allowing divorcing spouses to resolve their dissolutions under the supervision and direction of a neutral mediator. However, while many choose alternative dispute resolution to avoid the time investment, stress, and expense that divorce litigation demands, the reality is that even divorce mediation can devolve into a hotly contested legal battle.

It’s important to remember that divorce mediation only requires both you and your spouse to be willing to negotiate. Even if the two of you have trouble having the most basic civil discussions, you can still take advantage of the benefits of divorce mediation when you have legal counsel you can trust.

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Contempt in California Family Court: Causes and Effects

Contempt in California Family Court: Causes and Effects

If you are expecting to participate in any family court case in the near future, or if you recently finalized any type of family court case, such as a divorce or custody agreement, it’s essential to abide by your court order at all times. The term “contempt of court” applies to any incident in which a party beholden to a lawful court order fails to uphold their responsibilities dictated by the order. While mistakes sometimes happen, this is very different from a willful refusal to comply with a court order.

The penalties for contempt of court in California can be severe, and they are issued on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the judges overseeing these cases. In most cases, family court judges seek to assign penalties that reflect the nature of the offense in question. Whether you are facing contempt of court or need to file contempt proceedings against another party, you need legal counsel you can trust.

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What Are the Main Elements of a California Divorce?

What Are the Main Elements of a California Divorce?

Divorce is always challenging, but it is also often more complex than many realize as they begin their dissolution proceedings. Regardless of the reason for your divorce or the apparent complexity of the issues you believe you face, it’s vital to have legal representation as you navigate your divorce so you are prepared to meet the various challenges your case presents. While every divorce is unique, there are a few foundational elements that all divorces must cover.

As you search for a California family law attorney to represent you, it’s vital to evaluate the core issues of your divorce. At Bickford Blado & Botros, we provide our prospective clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their family law cases. The following are the core elements of most modern divorces in California.

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How to Find the Right Family Law Attorney in California

How to Find the Right Family Law Attorney in California

Family law is a unique branch of civil law pertaining to legal matters among family members. Divorces, adoptions, child custody determinations, and spousal support determinations are just a few cases that would fall within the purview of family law in California. Therefore, if you are bracing for a divorce and need to resolve custody over your child or face any other type of legal issue about family law, it is vital to seek legal counsel from an attorney you can trust.

The right family law attorney can be invaluable, regardless of your case. If you take the time to find an attorney familiar with cases like yours and they have a solid track record of professional success behind their firm, you can significantly improve your chances of securing a favorable outcome for your case. With thousands of attorneys practicing throughout California, it can feel overwhelming to approach the task of retaining the right one for your case. The following are a few essential considerations when looking for legal counsel for any family law matter in California.

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Presumed Paternity Versus Alleged Paternity in California

Presumed Paternity Versus Alleged Paternity in California

Granting parental rights in California doesn’t always involve just biological parents. Fathers, non-biological parents, romantic partners, or spouses of a child’s biological parents may have a claim to parental rights. Legal issues involving children and their care are some of the most sensitive and complicated cases dealt with in courts, and the counsel of an experienced San Diego family law attorney is important for your interests.

There are obvious legal advantages to being the biological mother in a parentage case. The connection to the child is easily documented and irrefutable. However, confirming the father’s paternity stake may require additional legal work.

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Custody and Visitation Rights of Grandparents

Custody and Visitation Rights of Grandparents

When a divorce involves children, the process to determine custody, visitation, child support, and other important matters that directly impact both the parents and the children is complex. Sadly, the impact of a divorce can spread beyond the immediate family. If grandparents want to seek legally guaranteed visitation or custody, they should consult a San Diego attorney with advanced knowledge of California family law.

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How Does the California Family Court Determine a Child’s Best Interests?

How Does the California Family Court Determine a Child’s Best Interests?

Whenever unmarried parents decide to raise their children separately or when married parents divorce, the parents must have legally enforceable custody orders that outline their respective parental rights and responsibilities. Regardless of whether the couple is married, they will need to have the California family court determine the outcome of their custody dispute. This is not a legal matter that parents can resolve privately, and all parents facing custody determinations should prepare for difficult and emotionally stressful court proceedings.

The California family court has a legal obligation to protect any children the court’s rulings affect. This means preserving a child’s best interests in every family court case. However, “the child’s best interests” are relatively open to interpretation, and every case will involve unique details. Therefore, if you are preparing for a custody determination in California family court, it’s vital to know how judges make these decisions.

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