You used $200,000 of your separate-property savings as the down payment on the family home. The home was titled in both names. Years later, you are divorcing. Does that $200,000 come back to you off the top, or is it part of the community equity to be divided? California Family Code §2640 is the answer—and […]
Reimbursement Claims Under Family Code §2640: Protecting Your Down Payment Read More »
Few questions in family law are more emotionally and ethically charged than what happens to frozen embryos when a marriage ends. The couple began the IVF process united in a future they hoped to share. By the time of divorce, that future has dissolved—but the embryos exist, waiting in cryostorage, and someone must decide their
Frozen Embryos in Divorce: Who Decides What Happens Next? Read More »
Until 2019, California family courts treated pets the way they treated coffee tables: as community property to be divided based on who paid for them and who held title. Anyone who has ever shared their life with a dog or cat knew that approach was inadequate, and the legislature eventually agreed. Family Code §2605, effective
Pet Custody in California Divorce: Family Code §2605 Explained Read More »
On January 1, 2026, two significant amendments to California family law took effect: changes to Family Code §3044 (the rebuttable presumption against custody for domestic violence perpetrators) and Family Code §6389 (firearm relinquishment under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act). The amendments reflect a clear legislative direction: protect children and protected parties from the combination of
New Firearm Rules in California Custody Cases (Family Code §3044 Updates) Read More »
Ever wonder if your divorce can still move forward when your spouse refuses to sign the papers? The answer may surprise you—and empower you. Facing a situation where your spouse won’t cooperate with signing divorce documents can feel overwhelming. Many people worry that their progress is stalled forever or that their legal rights are trapped
What If My Spouse Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers? Act Now! Read More »
Have you ever wondered if both you and your spouse could save money, reduce conflict, and streamline the legal process by using just one lawyer for your divorce? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems, and what you discover might surprise you. Is It Possible? Challenging the Myth Around ‘Can We Use One Lawyer
Can We Use One Lawyer for Our Divorce? What You Must Know Read More »
