How Much Does a Divorce Cost in California?
A divorce in California can cost as little as the $435 filing fee or hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, the average cost of a California divorce is around $17,500. This is slightly higher than the national average of about $15,000. The cost of a divorce in California depends on a number of factors, including: If the divorce is contested Whether there are minor children of the marriage If the…
Read MoreHow Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in California?
There is no fast answer to how long a divorce will take in California. The most straightforward answer is it depends. No two California divorces are the same, even those divorces that are agreed upon. Divorces vary in complexity. Divorces with complicated issues like significant assets and children are typically disputed between the spouses. This slows divorce proceedings considerably. There is one rule that applies to all California divorces that…
Read MoreUnborn Child Custody Rights
In California, there is a presumption that the husband of a biological mother is the father of an unborn child. If the unborn child’s father is not the mother’s husband, he should take immediate steps to establish paternity to ensure that his legal rights are protected. Once the child is born, the most common way of establishing paternity is through obtaining a court order declaring that the father is the…
Read MoreHow to Write a Declaration for Family Court in California
A declaration is a written statement, or in court, written testimony, made under penalty of perjury. It is the same as providing testimony on the witness stand. There are some circumstances where the family court may decide a case partially or entirely upon written declarations alone, without hearing any live testimony. Many judicial officers rely heavily on written declarations, and this has increased since the spread of Covid-19. Declarations are…
Read MoreEmergency Child Custody Orders in California
A California emergency child custody order is an ex parte order. This means it is issued in the absence of the other parent. This is because it is an emergency hearing and order based on evidence that a child is at immediate risk of danger or abduction. Emergency child custody orders are not permanent custody orders. Instead, they are temporary child custody orders. They are limited to those situations that…
Read MoreWho is Considered an Unfit Parent in California?
In California, an unfit parent is a parent who, through their conduct, fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support to their children. This can include not only a parent’s actions but also a home environment where abuse, neglect, or substance abuse is present. In most cases, an unfit parent has a Child Welfare Services safety plan in place in their home or has an open investigation into their home…
Read MoreCalifornia Divorce Waiting Period
Every California divorce and dissolution of a domestic partnership is unique and follows its own timeline. However, California divorce law has a mandatory waiting period of six months for a divorce or dissolution of a domestic partnership that pertains to all divorcing couples in the state. California is strict regarding its six-month waiting period and allows no exceptions or methods to quicken a dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership. However,…
Read MoreWho Needs a Prenup?
A prenuptial agreement or premarital agreement is a contract couples enter into before marriage that sets forth each party’s property and debts prior to marriage and specifies what each party’s property rights will be in the event of divorce, separation, or death. Prenuptial agreements are no longer used by the wealthy alone. Couples of more modest means are employing prenuptial agreements for a variety of reasons, including but not limited…
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