Although you’ll have to confront the emotional realities of your divorce as you navigate the marriage dissolution process, you’ll also have to walk through the financial decisions that will shape your post-divorce life. You might be able to do this through effective...
Divorce
Understanding the impact of a high-conflict divorce
Divorce is often difficult for the spouses involved and even more so in high-conflict situations. A high-conflict divorce involves serious disagreements, hostility between the former partners and emotional stress. The parties may disagree with fundamental parts of the...
Is California a no-fault divorce state?
If you and your spouse are planning to divorce, you probably are aware of how easy it is to blame each other for things that have gone wrong in your marriage. You may say your spouse is at fault, while they may say you are at fault for the divorce. The good news is...
Considerations for divorce at an older age
Going through a divorce at any age can be difficult, but divorce for people who are older can be more complex. Older people can face financial, health and social challenges that can be difficult to navigate. Finances and health Many older people have worked for years...
Property division and the date of separation in a divorce
Property division is a tricky, but essential, part of any divorce. The distinction between community property and separate property for property division purposes can be nuanced, and often hinges on the date of separation. Types of property in a divorce Property can...
Alternative dispute resolution for divorce disagreements
When spouses decide to divorce, they may think they have to go to court to resolve any disputes. However, there are two alternative dispute resolution options they may want to consider, called mediation and arbitration. Mediation process With mediation, the spouses...
How is debt addressed as part of a divorce?
Knowing who will get to keep the marital home, automobiles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, items of sentimental value and more can be prime topics for disputes in any California divorce. Debt can also be a touchy subject. Just as there are laws in place dictating...
Legal separation when the time isn’t right for divorce
Legal separation might be the answer if your marriage is rocky, but you are not ready to divorce. After all, you and your spouse might want to live apart for a while before deciding to formally end your marriage. You might need time to save up money for a divorce or...
Valuing a business in a California divorce
In California’s community property system, spouses hold all property and debt that accrues during the marriage equally. Upon dissolution of the marriage, this community property is split 50/50. The court’s task is to rule on the value of these assets and debts to...
Equalization payments: Ensuring fair asset distribution
California is a community property state. The expectation, then, is that property division upon marital dissolution will be a 50/50 split. Achieving that fair split, though, can be an elusive goal because valuations are so complex. Accurate, reliable valuations are...