Not every divorce has to be messy and stressful. And not every divorce has to go through drawn-out court proceedings. California collaborative law has a process called “collaborative divorce.” Collaborative divorce allows the couple to work out the details of divorce together in a mutually respectful way. Pakpour Banks LLP can help you through this process to avoid stress,...
Continue ReadingYou or your spouse might be ready to part ways, but how do you get ready for a divorce? Well, many divorces boil down to two matters—finances and child custody. If you want to litigate or settle these matters in a favorable way, you need to understand your needs, gather paperwork, and know your legal obligations for filing. There...
Continue ReadingNationwide, divorce rates are falling, and California has a particularly low divorce rate. There are many reasons, such as competitive housing markets and job opportunities, that can hinder a couple’s desire to embark on a path of separation or divorce. These factors, compounded with California’s various separation and divorce laws, can make the process challenging. As such, anyone contemplating...
Continue ReadingGoing through a divorce when children are involved can be difficult regardless of the precise circumstances. However, matters can become even more complicated when one party to the divorce is the child’s stepparent. Many wonder whether a step-parent is a legal guardian in California, especially in complex custody situations. Blended families have become quite common in the United States....
Continue ReadingThose seeking a “quicky” divorce in California will find themselves sorely disappointed. There is no such thing. The soonest parties can end their marriage in California is six months plus one day from the day one of them effectively serves the other spouse with initial divorce papers. For example, if you file your petition for dissolution on February 28...
Continue ReadingSingle parents in Yolo, Sacramento and Placer County Family Courts face a difficult choice when raising a child, where the other parent is out of the picture. You may need child support. You may need to obtain federal government forms like a passport that may or may not require the signatures of both parents. In both cases, you may...
Continue ReadingWhenever you sue someone in a California Civil Court, the party you sue must respond to your demands within a certain amount of time, or risk the court’s power to simply abide by those demands without that person. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Yolo County, Sacramento County, or Placer County. After a certain amount of time, the sued...
Continue ReadingThe typical delay in getting your first hearing for a family law matter is between four and six weeks. For most matters, whether or not you get to court in one week or four weeks is not going to make too large a difference. For others, it could literally mean the difference between life or death. California family courts...
Continue ReadingA Note About Representing Yourself Anywhere from 60% to 80% of California family law cases involve self-represented litigants. The numbers vary from county to county. This is a troubling statistic, but one that many would argue is unavoidable in our current financial climate, with fewer individuals able to afford an attorney, and fewer attorneys offering pro bono legal services....
Continue ReadingThe case going before the United States Supreme Court today in oral arguments should demonstrate to parents, especially fathers, that it is crucial to take responsibility for one’s offspring from the moment of conception. The central argument before the Supreme Court in “Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl,” is whether the federal Indian Child Welfare Act trumps South Carolina state...
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