Peter Hermes

Calendar marking date of separation in California divorce with attorney highlighting key dates

Date of Separation Disputes: Why a Single Date Can Cost Six Figures

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A single date on a divorce timeline carries more financial weight than almost any other fact in California family law: the date of separation. Earnings, bonuses, stock vesting, retirement contributions, debts—everything before that date is community property and split equally; everything after is generally separate property of the earning spouse. When the date is undisputed, […]

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Family Code 2640 reimbursement claim documents tracing separate property down payment in California divorce

Reimbursement Claims Under Family Code §2640: Protecting Your Down Payment

Leave a Comment / calculate child support California, Divorce, Family Law attorney LA, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group, Peter Hermes / By

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

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Frozen embryo storage cryotank at California fertility clinic during divorce-related embryo dispute

Frozen Embryos in Divorce: Who Decides What Happens Next?

Leave a Comment / Divorce, Divorce Lawyer, Divorce Mediation, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group, Mediation process, Peter Hermes / By

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

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Attorneys presenting documents to a judge during a litigation case, legal files and evidence displayed, showing courtroom expense contrasts in dispute resolution

Family Law Attorney Southern California | Divorce, Custody & Mediation

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Hermes Law Group — Family Law Attorney Serving Southern California Hermes Law Group provides dedicated family law representation throughout Southern California. We specialize exclusively in family law matters, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, mediation, paternity, and related domestic partnership and same-sex dissolution matters. Our practice is backed by a career spanning over

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A concerned couple in a tense conversation, one withholding signed divorce papers in a modest home office, representing what if my spouse refuses to sign divorce papers

What If My Spouse Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers? Act Now!

Leave a Comment / Child Custody, Divorce, Divorce Mediation, Family Law attorney LA, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group / By

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

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Professional mediation session focused on avoiding common mediation mistakes that cost clients thousands

Avoid Common Mediation Mistakes That Cost Clients Thousands

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Imagine standing on the brink of a favorable settlement, only to watch it slip away due to an overlooked detail or poorly managed interaction. For countless clients, seemingly minor missteps during the mediation process have led to the loss of thousands of dollars—mistakes that could have been avoided with proactive planning and clear communication. This

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Warm family discussion about child custody case – parents and child in a calm setting

Don’t Let How Custody Battles Escalate — and How to Avoid Them Ruin Your Family

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Imagine sitting across the kitchen table from your child’s other parent, nerves on edge, both hoping to protect what’s most important: your kids. How you communicate, react, and proceed in this pivotal moment can either defuse tension or send a custody battle spiraling out of control—even when both of you want what’s best. This guide

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divorce lawyer and client with legal paperwork, preparing for mediation session

How a Divorce Lawyer Prepares You for Mediation Success

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Imagine entering your first mediation session, feeling both anxious and uncertain about the future. Now picture the same setting, but with a knowledgeable divorce lawyer by your side—handing you a well-organized folder, reviewing key documents, and ensuring you’re fully equipped for success. That confidence and preparation make all the difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll

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