Articles Posted in Divorce Advice

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Important Estate Planning Issues Related to Divorce

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If you are preparing to end your marriage, it is vital to understand that your divorce may be one of the most challenging experiences of your life and affect you for years to come. While you are likely bracing for your new reality as a recently divorced single person, one thing you should not overlook as you begin the next chapter of your life is your estate plan. It is very likely that if you have a will, trust, or other estate planning documents in place, you have your ex-spouse listed as a beneficiary. You may also have them included in beneficiary designations for specific accounts, such as your retirement account or life insurance policy. When you have decided to end your marriage, completing the divorce process is just the first phase of restructuring your life.

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Expert Witnesses in California Divorce Cases

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Divorce is likely to be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. Even if you and your spouse are relatively civil and agreeable with one another, the reality is that the divorce process is hugely trying in many ways. Whether you are concerned about the financial implications of your divorce or are struggling to reconcile your personal feelings about the matter, it’s imperative to understand that any divorce case has the potential to escalate into an incredibly complex court battle.

While family law is unique from other areas of the law in many ways, there are some common threads among family, civil, and criminal law. One of these is the value that expert witnesses can provide in some instances, particularly those that involve highly complex or easily misunderstood technical concepts, complicated financial entanglements, and issues regarding physical and mental health.

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How Do I Create a Prenuptial Contract?

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Prenuptial contracts can provide marrying couples with substantial advantages and financial security. Unfortunately, these contracts have negative connotations for many people, most of whom believe that the suggestion of a prenuptial contract is an indication of a lack of faith in the success of the relationship. The reality is that prenuptial contracts can provide financial security to marrying spouses, especially those who have financial obligations to children from previous marriages, those who control substantial assets, and those who want to protect themselves from their spouse’s debts.

Creating a prenuptial contract is relatively simple; the difficulty lies in the scope of the contract and the complexity of the issues included in the contract. There are many tools and software applications available that can help you draft your own prenuptial contract, but ultimately it is always best to work with an experienced family law attorney to ensure your contract is fair and enforceable.

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What to Expect in California Divorce Mediation

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Married couples choose to divorce for many reasons. Some decide to divorce because of acute issues like infidelity or patterns of negative behavior. Others drift apart after several years of marriage and no longer enjoy married life together. The divorce process technically begins when married spouses decide to end their marriage, but it does not formally begin until one of the spouses files a divorce petition with the local family courthouse. The actual legal process of divorce is stressful, expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining in most cases. However, there is a way to make your divorce easier to manage while maintaining greater control over the outcome.

Divorce mediation has become the most popular method of handling divorce in the United States for several reasons. Mediation is generally faster than divorce litigation, and both spouses are generally able to secure more agreeable terms to their divorce orders than a judge would likely deliver. Divorcing spouses can save time, money, and stress when they opt for alternative dispute resolution, but it is vital to know what divorce mediation entails and what you can expect from this process.

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What Is Limited Scope Representation in California Family Law?

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Navigating any family law case can be a daunting and stressful experience. It is very difficult to predict how long a case will take to complete or how much it will cost you in legal fees, even if the matter seems straightforward at first. Hiring the right attorney to represent you is one of the most important decisions you can make when handling your family law matter. It’s also important to know exactly what you need from an attorney and what you can handle on your own. If you have concerns about the cost of legal fees for any family law matter in California, it’s vital to understand what limited scope representation is and how this can work in your favor.

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Acceptable Grounds for Family Court Order Modification in California

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Family law is unique in many ways. Perhaps most notably, the family law system offers a more streamlined alternative to the standard appeal process when an individual accountable to a family court order believes the order to be unreasonable or untenable due to recent events. Family law acknowledges that life is unpredictable. Due to the nature of most family court orders, the terms of an order may not be as reasonable in the future as they are at the time they are signed into effect by a judge.

If you have recently experienced any major life events that have materially influenced your standing family court order, the modification process can allow you to make simple changes that reflect the recent changes in your life. This does not mean you can repeatedly pester the court until they modify your family court order to suit your exact preferences. There are certain conditions that must be satisfied if the court is to approve of any proposed modification.

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How to Streamline Your Divorce Proceedings in California

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Divorce is a challenging experience for many reasons. The process requires a significant financial investment in the form of legal fees and the transition from a dual-income household to living on a single income. California also enforces a minimum six-month waiting period before any divorce is granted, but many divorcing couples with complex divorces find that this is relatively short compared to the actual time required to litigate their divorce cases. Even the most seemingly straightforward divorce cases can require enormous investments of time, money, and energy for everyone involved.

If you are expecting to divorce in the near future and want to make the process easier, there are a few tips you should keep in mind that can potentially help you streamline your proceedings. Remember that even a seemingly straightforward divorce case can involve unpredictable issues that extend the time required to complete the process, but the following tips can often help divorcing couples reach results in their divorce cases more quickly.

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Benefits of Divorce Mediation in California

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Divorce is a notoriously difficult and emotionally challenging process. Ending your marriage is more than just the end of a personal relationship; the legal process of divorce requires you and your spouse to divide your community property, determine custody rights over your children, and negotiate long-term support arrangements under California law. Navigating this process while dealing with the emotional side of divorce can be incredibly difficult, and unfortunately, this will spur some people to make poor decisions when it comes to handling their divorce proceedings.

Many divorcing couples in California and throughout the US are choosing alternative dispute resolution instead of litigation to streamline their divorce proceedings and reach more agreeable outcomes. Specifically, divorce mediation offers divorcing spouses an easier way to settle their financial issues and navigate the process with peace of mind. If you are unsure how to best handle your divorce, it’s vital to consider the many benefits of mediation.

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Mediation vs. Litigation: What Is the Right Path for Me?

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Divorce is never a desired outcome for any marriage. If you and your spouse have decided to get a divorce, there are two main paths to take to separate yourself from each other. Divorce often involves intense negotiations. It can also feel as though the stakes are high, especially when property and finances are involved. When it comes to divorce, some couples make this decision amicably. In other circumstances, the situation may be more complex.

When it comes to your specific divorce, your two main choices are mediation or litigation. What type of divorce depends on what works best for the two parties involved. Both options will determine the best way to divide what assets you have and determine any custody issues or required support. Regardless of whatever path works best, you should be able to reach a mutual decision. You should also be able to determine child custody and support. Either path will also help determine how to separate property, assets, and debts. Understanding the differences between mediation and litigation can help determine which path is ultimately best for you.

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Is an Annulment Right for You?

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Ending a relationship, especially a marriage, is never easy. Depending on the circumstances, it can be rather messy. When involved in a legally binding marriage, there are a few options to consider for ending that legal contract. For many, this path is divorce. For some, this path may be an annulment. It can be challenging to have an annulment granted, so it is crucial to speak with an attorney to help you understand if this is the appropriate route for you. There are limited reasons that qualify for an annulment, and you’ll have to provide adequate evidence to do so. You will also potentially face a statute of limitations, which will put a deadline on your ability to file. An experienced annulment attorney such as the attorneys at Bickford Blado & Botros can guide you in this process.

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