As a father of a child in a custody dispute, it can be easy to feel like your interests are not being represented or that anyone cares what you are going through. You might even get the feeling that the California family court system and laws are rigged against you. But while the stress of having...
Collection agencies are notorious for their hard-nosed collection strategies: contacting you continuously, sending you strongly-worded letters and blowing up your phone with intimidating voicemails, and threatening to ruin your credit and keep harassing you until you pay them. But if you legitima...
There's no way to sugar coat it – divorce can be an expensive proposition. For that reason, many people are tempted to try to handle divorce on their own and avoid paying the legal fees. While saving money may seem attractive in the short run, choosing to represent yourself can lead to mistakes t...
If you've been recently married or about to be married in California, you probably have a lot on your mind. Wedding and honeymoon plans to be sure, and you may be adjusting to sharing a home with a new person and understanding how to combine your finances and planning now that you are part of a m...
Everyone getting married likes to think that their marriage will end happily ever after. Unfortunately, statistics don't support that optimism. These days, nearly half of all marriages ultimately end in divorce. In addition to being a highly emotional life change, divorce can also be very expensi...
College is an exciting time, often offering a chance to move to a new place and experience independence for the first time. For many, it also means the first time renting an apartment, which comes with a new host of responsibilities. Before choosing an apartment, it's important to know both your ...
Most people are aware of the concept of prenuptial, or premarital agreements (or “prenups”), but less commonly discussed in the popular culture is the protective legal tool of a postnuptial agreement. Many people are not even aware that postnuptial agreements exist, and while they are not part of...
One of the first questions that people who may be considering a divorce, or whose spouse is considering divorce, often ask is exactly how long the divorce process takes in California. Divorce is often a stressful and even painful process and can involve a lot of uncertainty about the future and e...
Many people in Southern California are interested in subletting their apartment, especially during the summer months when they travel or perhaps return to another home. Likewise, many out-of-towners seek out short-term sublets in our region as they seek job opportunities, look for longer-term ren...
Since the 1960s and 1970s – when federal and California law began to provide increased protections for employees against various types of discrimination and wrongful termination – employers have often tried to escape liability for their illegal actions by coming up with a different “legal” reason...
Even weeks later, the world is still talking about the unexpected death of Prince at the age of 57. While examiners and investigators are still trying to determine what exactly caused the musician's death, another drama continues to play out in a Minnesota court, as Prince's relatives seek to sta...
As a child grows, and families change, existing custody orders may need to be modified. If you have a friendly relationship with your ex, you might have no trouble agreeing on a new parenting plan. When both parents agree, they can simply explain the changes to the court, and then get the court's...
In the past, the idea of getting a prenup signaled that something was fundamentally wrong with a relationship. Why would a couple need a prenup if they planned to stay together forever? Wasn't that like admitting defeat before the marriage even started? Or, prenups were considered to be only for ...
When a couple divorces, one of the main concerns going forward is a child custody dispute. If you were never married to the other parent, the question becomes even more complicated. Ideally, you and your ex will be able to come to an agreement that is in the best interests of the child and allows...
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a major life decision. At one time, it was considered an indication of failure. Times have changed. Millions of people have filed for bankruptcy in recent years, whether after a divorce, a medical emergency, or job loss. Many people have questions about how fili...