Articles Tagged with marital settlement agreement

Commonly Overlooked Financial Issues in Divorce

Commonly Overlooked Financial Issues in Divorce

Divorce is likely to be one of the most challenging experiences you will ever endure, and it’s important to approach the situation as informed as possible about the obstacles you are likely to encounter. Divorce is more than just terminating your marriage contract; it is also the legal process of assigning individual ownership rights over the property and debt you and your spouse jointly control.

Navigating any divorce can be incredibly difficult, but this is especially true for cases that involve complex financial issues. Do not assume that if you are not wealthy, you will not face significant financial concerns in your divorce proceedings. The following are some of the biggest financial problems that catch divorcing spouses by surprise as their cases unfold.

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Reasons a Premarital Agreement Can Be Voided

Reasons a Premarital Agreement Can Be Voided

A premarital agreement might be a valuable option for those who have assets they wish to protect in the event of a divorce. It’s important to use a highly qualified San Diego family law attorney to make sure the agreement is prepared properly. Even with careful preparation, there are situations where an agreement can be voided.

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How Is Pet Custody Determined in California Divorces?

How Is Pet Custody Determined in California Divorces?

Pets are an important part of so many people’s lives. It can be hard to fathom that so many states still treat them the same as community property, with no familial rights whatsoever. California took action to stand out in that regard in 2019 by passing AB 2274. This bill allows a party in divorce proceedings to request consideration of a pet animal’s care for awarding of sole or joint ownership.

For this law, care can include the prevention of harm or cruelty, providing food and shelter, or arranging veterinary care. Those tasks are not exclusive to providing care but serve as a broad baseline for the court to consider.

The law also does not specify specific animals that can serve as pets. Any animal that is community property for the couple and has been a pet in the household or a companion animal can be considered subject to this statute.

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Tips for Developing Your Prenuptial Agreement in California

Tips for Developing Your Prenuptial Agreement in California

Prenuptial contracts have something of a bad reputation, typically because most people view the suggestion of a prenuptial agreement as a sign of lack of faith that a marriage will last. While it’s true that a prenuptial contract can act as a blueprint for a future divorce, it can also provide substantial economic benefits to both spouses, effectively insulating them from one another’s debts and financial obligations. In addition, some people believe that prenuptial contracts are only necessary for very wealthy people; the reality is that this type of contract can offer significant legal protections to anyone.

If you have reservations about asking your spouse-to-be to consider a prenuptial agreement, it’s essential to understand what your agreement can include and the benefits of drafting one collaboratively with your partner. When done correctly, creating a prenuptial contract can yield strong financial protections for you and your spouse and help you have difficult conversations before marriage, potentially bringing you closer as a couple.

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Your Options for Resolving a Contested Divorce in California

Your Options for Resolving a Contested Divorce in California

Divorce can be an extremely emotional and challenging process for anyone. Unfortunately, many divorcing spouses in California are not fully prepared for the legal challenges and emotional obstacles their cases present. While the divorce process may seem straightforward, it can involve countless variables based on the unique details of a case and the attitudes of the divorcing spouses.

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How Does a Postnup or a Prenup Affect Your California Divorce?

How Does a Postnup or a Prenup Affect Your California Divorce?

In the State of California, both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are recognized, and couples facing divorce need to be aware of the role the agreement plays. Among the many factors they must consider is the fact that certain issues may render various clauses, or the whole document, unenforceable. Anyone going through a divorce must first determine whether their agreement is valid in court before they start determining its potential influence on spousal support, child custody, and property division.

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The Effect Social Media Has on Your Divorce Case

The Effect Social Media Has on Your Divorce Case

Social media has become a communication and marketing powerhouse that nearly everyone uses in some capacity. Some use social media apps to keep in touch with friends and family, while others focus on professional interests, but either way, it is vital to have a grasp of the potential consequences online posts can have on any legal case, including divorce.

Individuals who are facing any type of legal battle must be vigilant in avoiding any type of social media posts that may negatively affect the outcome of their case. It is easy to unintentionally post evidence on social platforms that expose contradictory information to their argument in court. Social media has been used in thousands of cases to defeat others in family court and various trials of all kinds, resulting in millions of dollars in lost settlements.

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How Do You Identify Emotional Abuse in Your Relationship?

How Do You Identify Emotional Abuse in Your Relationship?

When a spouse is emotionally or physically abusive to their partner, it is vital for the victim to acknowledge the harm they are suffering and seek help. However, that can be difficult to do, especially with emotional abuse, because there are no obvious scars for others to see. That also means those who care about the victim may not even realize there is a problem at home behind closed doors.

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Assets and Debts Under California’s Community Property Law

Assets and Debts Under California’s Community Property Law

Property division is one of the most important components of the divorce process. California is one of nine US states to uphold a community property law, which many people find unnecessarily rigid when dividing marital assets. Community property law requires all marital property owned by divorcing spouses to be evenly divided. There are very few possible factors that can alter the 50/50 division of marital property under this law.

If you are expecting to divorce in California in the near future, you must understand how the state’s community property law functions and its application to your assets and your debts. Unfortunately, many divorcing spouses overlook the fact that debt is divided the same way assets are divided in a divorce and, in many ways, evaluated along similar lines. Your California divorce attorney can assist you in approaching property division proceedings with greater confidence, and you and your spouse may have the option of resolving this aspect of divorce privately.

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How to Evaluate a Potential Divorce Attorney in California

How to Evaluate a Potential Divorce Attorney in California

Ending a marriage is a very difficult decision and not one to be made lightly. However, if you have decided to end your marriage, or your spouse has filed a divorce petition, and dissolution proceedings are inevitable, it’s natural to have many legal questions about your impending divorce case. One of the best things you can do in this situation is to secure legal counsel from an experienced California divorce lawyer as soon as possible.

The right attorney can help you understand the proceedings you face and your options for navigating your divorce. While you might think you can navigate your case without legal representation, the reality is that even the most seemingly straightforward divorce cases can pose very complex legal questions. It’s understandable to be hesitant about the potential cost of your legal fees, but you should not underestimate the potential value of your divorce lawyer’s representation.

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