Category: Family Law

Divorce Law LA blog posts about family law.

Hartwell Suggests Paternity Test

Post author By Scott
Post date July 25, 2016

Ed Hartwell and Keshia Knight Pulliam got married 7 months ago and just recently announced they are expecting a child together. Which is why it came as such a shock that Hartwell just filed for divorce, and now appears to be questioning the paternity of the child.

Hartwell Suggests Paternity Test

As Pulliam, 37, explained during her Kandidly Keshia podcast, the two were married in a secret ceremony on New Year’s Eve. “It was my dream,” Pulliam said. “We did it literally in our living room in our home. We invited people. They had no clue they were coming to a wedding.”

Seven months later, it looks like former NFL player Hartwell, 38, has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. But there’s one more thing Hartwell is questioning – the paternity of the baby.

“Right now, the only thing I want is a paternity test for the baby,” he told TheYBF.com via his rep.

Determining Paternity

There are numerous reasons for why you would seek to prove the paternity of your child‘s father. These reasons are not just for being able to receive child support. Being able to legally prove paternity also opens the door to the ability of your child receiving legal rights to social security or Veteran’s benefits, or possible inheritance – in the event that the birth father passes away.

What is Paternity?

Paternity is “the state or condition of being a father.” It’s important to establish this for numerous reasons – we will go into this further below – but either the mother or the father of the child may file the Petition to Establish Parental Relationship of a child. When paternity is established (should it not be evident) through a paternity test, a court will make decisions on the issues of child custody, child support, and child visitation.

Reasons for a Paternity Test

Financial

It can be hard to raise a child on one income. A mother seeking child support compensation will need to prove that the man she is seeking child support payments from is actually the father.

Un-Located Fathers

Often times a woman seeking child support will have to deal with a father that cannot be located. Most states have measures in place to track down these fathers that claim they are not the father. Once a man is located, a court will issue a paternity test to determine if the man is the father. This will then determine if the man needs to provide child support.

Helpful for Fathers

Paternity tests determine if a child is yours or not. If you are unsure of your paternity, a paternity test is the only way you will be able to legally say you do not need to make child support payments.

A Note About At-Home Paternity Tests

While many “at-home” paternity tests exist, only tests taken in court-approved locations can be deemed as legally official. These paternity tests require an approved official, such as a laboratory employee, to collect DNA. The test cannot be handled by either parent in order to prevent possible tampering.

Establishing Paternity

To establish paternity, you will need to do the following:

If you were married to your husband when your child was born, it is legally assumed that you are the legal father.
If you were not married when your child was born, you must legally determine the father of the child through a court-approved paternity test. This test will be the definitive answer on paternity.

Prove Paternity Cases

When parents are unmarried at the time of conception or birth of a child it can be difficult to establish paternal rights through a paternity case. Because these types of cases can be complex, it helps to consult an experienced family law attorney. Below are some legal guidelines for paternity cases.

California Family Code section 7570

California Family Code section 7570 states “there is a compelling state interest in establishing paternity for all children.” This is because “establishing paternity is the first step toward a child support award.” Paternity is used as basis for child custody and visitation orders. A father’s paternity must be determined in order for the child to receive the following: health insurance, social security, military benefits, and inheritance rights. The code states, “knowing one’s father is important to a child’s development.”

California’s Procedure For Voluntary Paternity

California has an established procedure for establishing voluntary paternity. When a child is born and the parents are unmarried, the parents are able to sign a Declaration of Paternity that establishes they are the legal parents of the child. Signing this form is completely voluntary for both parents.

This declaration can be signed at the hospital when the child is born. If signed at the hospital, the father’s name will go on the child’s birth certificate. This means that the mother does not need to go to court to prove who the father of the child is.

You are not obligated to sign the letter at the hospital. But, if the parents decide to sign this form after the child’s birth certificate has been issued, a new birth certificate will need to be issued with the father’s name.

Signing this form when you are unmarried parents saves both parties, as well as the court, time and money when it comes to determining paternity.

Child Custody

There are different forms of child custody: legal custody, physical custody, sole custody, and joint custody.

1. Physical Custody

Physical custody means a parent has gained the legal right (typically through a court ruling) to have a child live with him or her. Usually if a parent has physical custody they also have sole custody of the child, which means the other parent has visitation rights.

2. Legal Custody

Legal custody allows a parent to make decisions regarding various aspects of a child’s life, including: education, religion, and medical care or legal issues.

3. Joint Custody

Joint custody is able to be awarded to the parents if they are divorced, separated, no longer living together, or if they never lived together but still shared a child. The awarding of joint custody to both parents means each parent is able to make decisions regarding the child. Joint custody also comes in various forms, including: joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or joint legal and physical custody. Usually if a couple shares joint physical custody they also share joint legal custody. But if a couple shares joint legal custody they do not always also share joint physical custody.

Joint Child Custody Arrangements

Joint Child Custody can take various forms, such as:

joint legal custody – where the parents share the decision-making responsibilities.

joint physical custody – where children spend time with each parent separately.

joint legal and physical custody – a combination of the above.

Joint Child Custody – Advantages and Disadvantages

There are advantages and disadvantages to joint child custody. While it ensures children continue contact with both parents, children still need to be shuttled from one parent to the other. This can be a difficult situation for non-cooperative parents, and thus can be a hard situation for children stuck in the middle. Regardless of if parents are cooperative or non-cooperative, it’s crucial that all financial records of groceries, finances associated with a child’s after school activities, medical care, and clothing are kept. In cases where parents argue about these things, a judge will appreciate finely detailed records. If parents can maintain a positive parenting schedule and approach, and keep the child’s best interests in mind, joint custody can be a positive and comforting experience for a child.

4. Sole Custody

There are two forms of sole custody a parent can have: sole legal custody or sole physical custody. Courts seem to be moving away from awarding sole custody to one parent as more information is coming out about the importance of having both parents in a child’s life. In cases where a parent has been deemed unfit due to a history of neglect or abuse, a known dependency on drugs or alcohol, or a new parented that has been deemed unfit, a court will usually award sole physical custody to one parent. It’s advised that unless a parent has demonstrated the above issues, that you do not seek sole custody, due to the importance of having both parents in a child’s life.

While the trend is to award joint custody, in cases where courts do award sole physical custody the parents still usually share joint legal custody (which means both parents are able to make legal decisions regarding the child), unless a parents has been deemed unfit to make those legal decisions.

Filing For Sole Custody

While most courts favor joint custody, if you feel the parent you share a child with is unfit you can file for sole child custody of your child. Here are the steps to do so.

File Correct Forms

You’ll want to either work with a court clerk or your family law attorney to determine which forms you’ll want to use when petitioning for sole child custody. The type of petition you file is dependent on your specific circumstances. Here are some examples of petitions to file:

petition to update existing child custody orders
petition to establish custody
petition to establish paternity and install custody

Make sure your family law attorney reviews all forms prior to your submission. This will ensure everything is filed correctly and in the way that will ensure the outcome you want. Make a copy for yourself and for the other parent. The court will keep the original.

Get a Mediation or Hearing Date

Once your sole child custody petition is filed, you will get a date for either a mediation session or court date. Both you and the other parent need to be present at this date in order to meet a final agreement regarding the child’s custody.

Work with a Family Law Attorney

The first thing you should do if you are seeking paternity or having to deal with custody disputes is hire a family law lawyer that works with child custody cases. A lawyer will be able to help you decide your best course of action based on your situation. Additionally, it’s important to remember that filing for child custody does not necessarily mean you get child support. But a child custody order does not automatically give you child support.

For advice on child custody or child support, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Ed Hartwell, Keshia Knight Pulliam, paternity

Divorce Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce

Are Ben and Jen Still Divorcing?

Post author By Scott
Post date July 11, 2016

“Nanny-gate” might have happened a year ago, but are Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner still divorcing? It looks seems like maybe not.

Are Ben and Jen Still Divorcing?

It’s been over a year since it was revealed that Affleck, 43, had an alleged affair with nanny Christine Ouzounian. And since then, it appeared that Garner, 44, and Affleck were headed towards divorce, but according to a source close to the couple, the divorce is “on hold.”

“Jen mentioned that the divorce was going through very soon, and then a few weeks ago, things changed,” a source “close to Garner” has said. “It does not seem to be moving in that direction.”

Neither party has filed formal divorce papers either, so it appears we will have to wait this one out. For other couples in similar positions, it’s possible to work through an affair, and even possible to cancel a divorce once proceedings have begun.

Cancelling a Divorce

Just because a couple begins divorce proceedings, that does not mean they have to continue and complete a divorce. In fact, a divorce can even be called off once all the paperwork has been filed.

Stopping a divorce once the paperwork has been filed is dependent on the intentions of both spouses. Namely, both spouses need to agree why the divorce is being cancelled. Both spouses also need to agree to get back together and officially cancel the divorce.

The next consideration is where the paperwork is in the process of the filing. If a judgment has not been formally issued then the parties can stop the divorce upon mutual agreement. Naturally, it’s better to stop the divorce earlier in the process, rather than once it has gone through the majority of the process.

Request to Withdraw Divorce Petition

If both parties have agreed to cancel the divorce, the couple next needs to file a request to withdraw their divorce petition. This may require additional filing fees and court costs, and may also require that the couple attends counseling or mediation so that a court can determine if the decision to cancel the divorce is not only mutual, but based on a sound agreement.

Finalizing Withdrawal

Once the withdrawal is finalized, all divorce proceedings are cancelled, and the couple remains legally married. Property returns to being considered community property and any child custody agreements are cancelled.

Issues to Consider

There are some additional considerations to take if you wish to stop the divorce hearings. They include the following:

A spouses can change his or her mind at any point and continue with the divorce
Were there any reasons for why a spouse might have considered full custody, such as abuse or neglect? Do these issues need to be resolved before the couple can continue their marriage?

Pretending to Stop the Divorce

Sometimes a couple will pretend to stop the divorce in an attempt to delay the finalization of the divorce. This can be for any number of reasons. Falsely attempting to cancel a divorce may be considered divorce fraud and will be subject to investigation. The party attempting to falsely stop a divorce may face legal consequences, such as contempt of court or even criminal charges. This is why a court will often require counseling or mediation in order to determine that the couple actually wants to continue their marriage.

Another Option – Legal Separation

While divorce might seem like the only option, remember that legal separation is also available. Legal separation allows couples to live apart and take a “break” from each other, while also ensuring that each spouse’s legal rights are protected via a legal separation agreement. Legal separations can also be called: “judicial separation”, “separate maintenance”, “divorce a mensa et thoro“, or “divorce from bed-and-board.” All these terms refer to the legal process by which a married couple formalizes a de facto separation while remaining legally married.

Formal Legal Separation Agreement

It’s always advised that you sign a formal legal separation agreement. This agreement outlines child support and visitation, property division, and any other aspect of a marriage. An attorney will be able to prepare this legal and binding document. This will offer you legal protection should your spouse fail to live up to his or her obligations and will also also hold up in court.

The following should be included in the legal separation agreement:

Spousal Support

Benefits – With legal separation spouses are able to retain certain benefits that were available during the marriage, such as health insurance.

Home Residency – If a couple shares a home, it should be decided at this time what will happen to the residency during the separation. The agreement should include information regarding who is able to live in the home, who is responsible for maintaining the home, and who is financially handling the home.

Joint Accounts – A legal separation agreement outlines who has access to those joint accounts such as joint checking, savings, and credit accounts. It’s often advised to close or freeze these accounts during the separation. Each spouse will then need to obtain their own personal accounts.

Protection from Acquired Debt – A legal separation agreement will shield you from being responsible for debt acquired during the time of the legal separation.

Why Pursue Legal Separation?

There are advantages with legal separation, including:

Spouses are able to maintain benefits such as a spouse’s health care plan or military benefits.
Staying legally married for 10 years allows couples certain social security benefits.
The separation period allows for a “cool off time,” during which parties can work to resolve their differences. Couples can then decide to either pursue a divorce or resume the marriage.
In some religions divorce is not allowed or recognized. Legal separation allows these religious couples to live separate lives while still remaining married and true their faith.
Legal separation can be used to solve immediate problems in couples who are uncertain about moving forward with divorce.

Steps to Follow for Legal Separation

Here are the steps you will take to acquire a legal separation:

Consider working with a family law attorney that can advise you on all the necessary steps of your legal separation.
You and your spouse will need to decide on grounds for the separation
Fill out a Form FL-100 Petition. This form includes options for divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation.
If you have children under 18, you will need to complete Form FL-105/GC-120 which provides information to the court regarding children.
File Form FL-100 at your local county court. Pay any necessary fees. If you receive public benefits or have low income, you might be eligible for a fee waiver.
Serve your spouse with a copy of the court papers if they were not filed together. There will need to be proof of the serving, which can be done through various means such as a process server. A family law attorney can advise you on how to obtain this proof.

Still Considering Divorce?

If following your legal separation you and your spouse decide to move forward with a divorce, you will still need to file a divorce petition and go through the formal divorce process. Since a legal separation agreement has already been created and you mutually agree all aspects of your marriage, chances are you will be able to file an uncontested divorce. If there are still unresolved issues, you might decide you need a court’s help to come to a decision. It’s important to remember though that just because you are legally separated, that does not mean you are officially divorced. A judge will need to sign off on the final divorce papers and agreement before you can declare yourself “single.”

Working with a Divorce Attorney

It’s always advised that you consider working with a family law attorney. They will be able to advise you on any number of issues, including: child support, spousal support, marital property division, child visitation, etc… A lawyer from the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA will be able to guide you through the divorce process. The Divorce & Family Law Offices of Divorce Law LA will provide you with the highest level of expertise and professionalism from our skilled attorneys. Our Divorce and Family Law Practice spans a wide spectrum of areas that include: divorce, high net-worth divorce, marital property division, child custody and visitation, and child support.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Ben Affleck, celebrity divorce, Jennifer Garner

Divorce Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce

Stefani Sees Future After Divorce

Post author By Scott
Post date July 5, 2016

In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, singer Gwen Stefani referred to her divorce from Gavin Rossdale, “six, seven, eight months of torture.”

Gwen and Gavin Split

Rossdale and Stefani were married for 11 years, but as she described, “It was so insane because not only did my family break up, but then my kids are taken away like half the time, so that was really like, ‘What?! What did I do?’ My dreams were shattered.” She went on to explain, “All I wanted my whole life was to have babies, be married, like what my parents have.”

As the mother of three recalled, “I remember thinking, ‘There’s gotta be a reason for this.’ Of course you go through the ‘Why me?’ and feel sorry for yourself.” Stefani then explained, in reference to her breakup from No Doubt bass player Tony Kanal, “But then I was like, ‘No, this happened to me already and I made something good out of it.” The “good” she’s referring to is the band’s breakout album, 1995’s “Tragic Kingdom,” which was based largely on Stefani’s relationship with Kanal.

Soon after the band became successful, Stefani began dating Rossdale, the lead singer of Bush, who would go on to be her husband for 11 years. “That was it. [My personal life] was my boyfriend and then my husband,” Stefani said.

Now following her divorce, Stefani has began dating fellow “Voice” judge, Blake Shelton. Shelton split from Miranda Lambert around the time that Stefani and Rossdale were ending their marriage.

Stefani Sees Future After Divorce

When Stefani describes learning of Shelton’s divorce, she said: it “was like being handed this gift of a friend who was going through the exact same thing at the exact same time. And then everything flipped. It went from horrible to, like, hopeful and like, ‘Wow, God, you just don’t know what’s gonna happen next.'”

A Future After Divorce

When you’re in the middle of a divorce, just starting one, or just ending one, it can be hard to see a future. Where will you be in a year’s time? Will you be better off? Will you be worse? When a couple decides to say “I do,” they never, ever dream of saying “I don’t.” Divorce can be debilitating, but when the dust is settled, you will have to pick up the pieces and move forward. It really is possible, sometimes you just need to know the road to you, after divorce.

You, After Divorce

It goes without saying that divorce is a difficult process. Whether or not there are kids involved, a number of thing need to be worked out: child custody arrangements, child support, spousal support, marital property division. A family law attorney will be able to help you with these aspects of ending a marriage. But you’ll also need help working through the tougher parts of ending a marriage: emotionally tiring and stressful aspects of ending a mrriage. It not only changes your entire lifestyle, it changes you. If you can step back, you might just realize how it changes you in a good way. Here are some positive aspects of a divorce that you may want to consider. In the end, you might just be grateful for the little things that you learned from going through one of the hardest processes you could go through.

Maturity
Sure, you have to legally be an adult before you can get married, but that doesn’t make you mature. If you had to take a maturity test before tying the knot, chances are marriage wouldn’t even exist. In truth, we often enter marriage still in a childlike state due to the faith we’ve put into the idea of “soul mates” and the fairy-tale romances we’ve been told that end in happily ever after. We might have been blind to the fact that marriage requires a whole ton of effort, and on your part, not the part of a fairy godmother. There’s also a good chance we never set down the wounds of our childhood. Those patterns that we picked up as children (yeah, those ones we never dealt with) all get taken along with us, becoming patterns that impact our marriages and adulthood.

Divorce is like the evil step-queen, yelling in your tear-streamed face. She’s not going to let you go on being the prince or princess that you thought you were. You’re going to have to create some magic of your own, on your own, perhaps for the very first time in your life.

Confidence After Divorce

Divorce can knock your confidence level down to zilch. You’re probably feeling pretty defeated because you weren’t able to hold your marriage together. And if infidelity played a part, then you’re also wondering where you fell short and why your ex-spouse decided to look elsewhere. All that, plus the idea that the whole dating scene has completely changed and now you have to get back out into, can lower your confidence level to below zilch. It’s terrible. But that’s only the first half of the story. Here’s when you re-write the second half.

When you successfully complete something that in your mind you just knew you could not do, you gain confidence. Having to re-frame your assumptions about your weaknesses and limitations, forces you to find a way to believe in yourself. Facing your fears and surviving gives you strength. And after battling through opposition you can emerge, sure, bruised and battered, but knowing that you didn’t give up.

Perspective
Yup, it’s true, hindsight is 20/20. You have to walk through something, get a far way ahead of it, and only then can you look back and see just how important that process was. At that point you can see the beginning, the middle, and the end, and how that end is so clear and empty of emotional and clutter. Take this new clarity and run with it. That perspective can give you amazing information you need to change your own behaviors and to improve your future relationships.

Gratitude After Divorce

After you lose everything, you take nothing for granted. Divorce can be like losing everything: past memories, your present marriage, and future dreams. Let that be your determination to survive. But this is also a time to lean on friends and family that stepped up and stood by. They will lift you up, even when you can’t lift yourself. Be grateful for them, and try to show them that you are. If not now, then try to later.

Empathy
When you have felt pain, you honor and respect that pain in others. Divorce can make you more empathetic towards people facing any form of loss. You will move towards acceptance and forgiveness of your situation and your ex. And with this movement will come the ability to see things from other people’s viewpoints, making you a better friend, and a better person to be in a relationship with (down the line, when you are ready for one).

Divorce wipes away the ego that believes it’s shameful to ask for help. After you admonish this, you will be able to accept help for yourself, and then be able to offer help to others who are in need.

Responsibility
It’s easy to blame your ex, to place the responsibility for the divorce in his or her hands. We also might realize that all too often we have looked to them to provide happiness, or support for making decisions. This interdependency ends with divorce. It’s good to be interdependent, but divorce requires that you learn to be independent. You’re going to be steering this ship on your own. You’re going to have to be responsible for your own things now: happiness, support, etc. Let this empower you though, rather than make you feel lost or scared. You’re completely in control now. You can change. It’s your life now.

Humility

Divorce teaches us that no matter how much we want something to be true, we can’t force it into being. All those choice you made have consequences. And maybe now you are being forced to see them. Sure, you might have said “divorce will never happen to me,” but now it has. You’re going to have to admit that it can happen to anyone. Let this “slap” of reality force you to embrace acceptance while also redefining expectations. You’re not immune to anything.

Fortitude
Divorce can be a longer process with more setbacks than you had ever imagined before you took that first step. Just when you think that the worst is behind you, BAM! It hits you again. Two steps forward, one step back has never been more true. It takes grit to survive.

Awareness
Divorce can be a wake-up call. Often times people realize they were living in a kind of “auto-pilot” mode when they said their “I dos.” The clarity and awareness you have after saying your “I Un-dos” might provide you with a sense of awareness that wasn’t there before. A lot of people turn to meditation and yoga during divorce because it settles the mind to allow for awareness. This mindfulness and consciousness will be helpful moving forward in your new life.

Ingenuity

Divorce is also a way to test your abilities… all of them. Your negotiating skills, your financial skills, your balanced budgeting skills, co-parenting abilities. You are the only problem solver now. You will need to work out how to afford your rent on a portion of the budget you once had. You will also need to learn how to co-parent, potentially with an ex you hate (for now). But the more you are placed in these new positions, the better you will become at those tasks.

Wisdom from Divorce
Divorce can be an opportunity for reflection and analysis. You are now raw and ready to learn new ways of doing things, in addition to just learning new ways to move on and cope.

Working with Professionals During and After Divorce

Therapist

There are so many emotional things that you will need to work through when you decide to end your marriage. You might want to consider reaching out to a therapist or life-coach to help you through the emotional aspects. They can coach you on coping techniques and skills that will help you come to terms with your divorce.

A Family Law Attorney

But when it comes to the actual legal process of a divorce, you’ll want to work with a skilled family law attorney There are a number of things that need to be considered during a divorce: child support, spousal support, marital property division, and other things. Working with a skilled attorney can help ensure you get a fair case. For advice on divorce, child custody determinations, setting up a co-parenting agreement, dividing marital property, and spousal support you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags after divorce, future, Gwen Stefani

Divorce Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce Marital Property Division

Blake Shelton Buys Miranda Lambert’s Boutique Property

Post author By Scott
Post date June 20, 2016

It’s not uncommon for soon-to-be ex-spouses to buy each other out when it comes to dividing marital property during a divorce. So, it makes sense that at the end of May, Miranda Lambert sold the Oklahoma location of her popular Pink Pistol boutique to ex-husband Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton Buys Miranda Lambert’s Boutique Property

While the buy-out was not part of the divorce agreement, Lambert felt it was a good time to close the Oklahoma location of her popular Pink Pistol boutique after three years of operation. And it seems that Shelton already has “a plan brewing.”

“As a resident of Tishomingo I’m very sorry that the Pink Pistol has decided to move its operations out of the area,” Shelton said. “We all, as a community, appreciate everything it has done for our town. As for the actual properties left behind… I was offered the opportunity to buy them, and I have a plan brewing.”

But this is not the end of Lambert’s boutique business. The Pink Pistol will be moving to a new flagship location in the beginning of August.

“It feels full circle to have everything under one ‘roof’ basically where it all began in my hometown of Lindale,” said Lambert. “Sometimes you need to close a chapter to build on a new beginning or go back home.”

Dividing Marital Property

While the sale of the boutique location was not part of the couple’s divorce agreement, it does bring up the idea of what happens when it comes to dividing the marital property. How property is divided is completely dependent on various factors.

What State do you Live in?

State laws govern how the marital property will be divided. You will need to check with an attorney to see if you live in an equitable distribution state or a community property state.

What Counts as Property?

Property is anything that can be bought or sold, or anything that has a financial value. This includes: houses, cars, furniture, clothing, bank accounts, businesses, etc. Within that, there are two forms of property when it comes to a marriage: community property and separate property. Community property is anything earned or acquired during the course of the marriage. Separate property belongs to one spouse. States make their own determinations on what counts as separate property. A family law attorney would be able to help you determine what is “separate property” based on your state’s laws.

Other Considerations

There are four other steps that need to be considered when diving marital property:

Identify the assets owned by you and your spouse
Categorize all assets as marital or non-marital property
A value will need to be assigned to the assets
Devise a plan for the division of assets that is in accordance with state laws

No Fault Divorce Laws

Though most states separate the division of marital property from grounds for divorce due to no fault divorce laws, most states do consider any financial misconduct when it comes to dividing marital property. What this means is if you or your spouse has foolishly spent money then you or your spouse will most likely be penalized when it comes to dividing marital property.

Separate Join Financial Obligations

If you feel the division of marital assets might be a contentious point between you are your spouse, you might want to consider separating financial obligations prior to starting the divorce process. Marital property does not only mean furniture and household items, but also joint credit accounts. Each spouse should have access to a complete set of all financial documents. You’ll also want to close all joint credit card accounts. If you’re not able to fully separate the accounts, draft a formal written agreement outlining the activity on the remaining joint accounts. Freeze any investment assets – this will ensure neither spouse misuses funds until everything has been agreed upon. You might also want to consider changing the title on your home to read “tenants in common” until the final agreement regarding marital property has been decided upon.

In addition to figuring out marital property division, you’ll want to consult with professionals familiar with re-structuring finances after divorces.

The Rest of Your Financial Picture

As you move forward in your new life there will be a number of things you need to change: weekend schedules if you have children, perhaps addresses, maybe even your employer if you have to go back to work or get a higher paying job. There are going to be a number of unanswered questions. You don’t have to answer them all immediately, but chances are, you’ll need to answer them sooner rather than later. Here are some things to consider when it comes to your finances after divorce.

Figure Out a Budget
You might not have been the spouse in charge of the finances before. Now that you’re on your own, you’re going to have to be. This can be difficult if you’ve never taken care of a checking account. According to certified divorce financial analyst Eva Sachs, the first step toward financial independence is balancing your income with your expenses. So how do you do that? she advises that you sit down and figure out how much money is coming in (this will vary depending on what side of alimony and child support payments you’re on). After you figure this out you’ll need to assess how much of what is coming in is being spent on living expenses.

“Think of it as a spending plan rather than a budget,” says Sachs. “Knowing where your money goes is key, especially after divorce. There will be many new expenses you might not have thought about prior to your divorce; this is a critical time to refrain from spending money you don’t have.”

It might be helpful to write everything down until you have a clear picture. This will give you an up-close look at your financial habits. If you’ve never done this before, this might be a shock. It’s good to know where you can tighten up, or loosen up so that you can budget accordingly.

Rainy Day Fund

Now that you don’t have a spouse to lean on in times of trouble – loss of job, medical emergency, unplanned home expense – you’ll want to create your own rainy day fund. Any unexpected hits to your bank account will need to be covered by you and solely you. Protect yourself, says Sachs. She recommends creating an emergency fund you can continue adding to when you have the chance.

“An emergency fund should equal three to six months of your living expenses,” she says. “If you can swing it, I recommend six months because you’re now single and need an even bigger cushion if you are not able to work or an emergency occurs.”

Make Sure Assets Have Been Transferred

The papers are signed, your divorce is final, you can consider it over. Think again. According to Cheswick, the divorce may be finalized but your work isn’t really complete until you’ve ensured the assets awarded in the settlement have been distributed. Make sure all your t’s are crossed and i’s dotted before you skip along to singledom. Just because things have been agreed to in a settlement, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will automatically happen.

“I can’t tell you the number of people who will contact me months (and unfortunately even years) after their divorce is finalized and there are still outstanding items which have not been resolved,” Cheswick says. “Remember that the agreement is a legally binding contract that you both signed and agreed to uphold. If one party is failing to comply with the terms of the contract then the other party has every right to take steps to ensure their compliance including going back to court to have the agreement enforced.”

Enlist a Professional

It might seem like another financial burden to use a certified divorce financial planner during your divorce. In addition to legal fees it can feel like yet another financial expense. But a financial planner can save you a lot of headaches while also setting you up for a bright financial future, according to McBurney.

“Most financial mistakes that people make during and after divorce could easily have been avoided if they had sought professional assistance,” she says. “Financial planners can help you figure out how to live within your new financial realities post-divorce and develop strategies for building back your financial security. And tax advisors and CPAs can help you avoid making expensive (and very common!) tax mistakes (related to things like asset transfers, retirement, spousal and child support).”

Retirement

Retirement can be a difficult thing to face during divorce. Chances are you imagined yourself and your spouse sitting on an amazing porch, sipping lemonade, and reminiscing about your children. Just because your spouse is no longer in the equation, that doesn’t mean that you need to abandon your dream retirement life. As Sachs advises, now that the divorce process is almost finalized, look to your future and start to maximize your retirement savings.

“Don’t let divorce stop you from planning for your future,” she says, “Investing in your 401K plan will allow you to save for retirement. You can begin by saving a small amount each week and then let it build slowly or make payroll contributions that match your employer contributions. Don’t stop thinking of the future!”

Just because your future plans have changed, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a bright one. Be smart about your finances and you’ll find the financial freedom you need to help you move on and start a new life.

Working with a Family Law Attorney

As with anything regarding your divorce: child support, spousal support, marital property division, child visitation, etc… you should consult a family law attorney. A lawyer from the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA will be able to guide you through the divorce process. The Divorce & Family Law Offices of Divorce Law LA will provide you with the highest level of expertise and professionalism from our skilled attorneys. Our Divorce and Family Law Practice spans a wide spectrum of areas that include: divorce, high net-worth divorce, marital property division, child custody and visitation, and child support.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Blake Shelton, ex-spouses, marital property, Miranda Lambert, property division

Divorce Domestic Violence Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce Marital Property Division Spousal Support

Is Amber Heard Just Seeking Spousal Support?

Post author By Scott
Post date June 13, 2016

Since Amber Heard’s filing for divorce from Johnny Depp at the end of May Heard has charged the Pirates of the Caribbean star with a temporary restraining order. But is the order just one way for the actress to secure a solid financial footing for her future?

Is Amber Heard Just Seeking Spousal Support?

While Amber Heard,30, might have obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Depp, 52, Depp’s attorneys aren’t buying it. In fact, Depp’s attorney feels Heard is “attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse,” that the two actors and the court have no “financial information upon which to grant such relief” and that “as a successful actress with significant income of her own, there is no question Amber can support herself” until both Depp and Heard “have had a reasonable amount of time to assess their finances” with their attorneys and potentially negotiate a “mutually agreeable resolution.”

While the two did not sign a prenuptial agreement, Heard is seeking $50,000 a month in spousal support, an amount that is reportedly based on their “marital lifestyle.” Depp requested that amount be denied in his response papers to her divorce filing.

High Net-Worth Divorces

It’s not uncommon for us to hear about high net-worth divorces coming out of Hollywood. Defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, a “High Net-Worth Divorce” is “One in which a natural person who has individual net worth, or joint worth with the person’s spouse, that exceeds $1 million dollars at the time of purchase, excluding the value of the primary residence of such person; or a natural person with an income exceeding $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with a spouse exceeding $300,000 for those years and a reasonable expectation of the same income level in the current year.”

For individuals who carry a significant net worth, such as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, protecting themselves in the case of divorce is essential in order to properly secure their assets. Statistically speaking, individuals across a wide spectrum can find themselves facing the reality of divorce, no matter their socioeconomic status, ethnicity or religion, but the more assets involved and the higher the net worth, the greater the stakes when it comes to separation of finances and property.

Since Depp has made a considerable amount of money – but Heard has as well in her own acting career. Additionally, the fact that the two were only married for 15 months will no doubt be considered when the judge reviews Heard’s request for spousal support.

Spousal Support Determinations

If you are getting divorced, and are seeking spousal support, or are expected to pay spousal support payments, there are some important things you’ll want to understand. A family law attorney will be able to walk you through the specifics of your case, but here we’ll provide you with a general overview of aspects of spousal support including: the awarding of spousal support, tax laws, and what can happen if spousal support payments are not made.

Defining Spousal Support

Spousal support (also known as alimony) is financial assistance that is only available to those who were legally married. It recognizes a partner’s contribution to the marriage and its goal is to help the recipient achieve financial independence. Rules regarding alimony vary state by state.

Calculating Spousal Support

When a court presides over a spousal support hearing, it weighs a number of factors including: the length of the marriage, the needs of each spouse, the standard of living that was created and maintained during the marriage, any assets, the age of the spouses, numerous other factors, and state specific laws. Your divorce attorney will build your case for spousal support based on your own specific circumstances.

Length of Spousal Support

The duration of spousal support payments is set by the court after it weighs the arguments that have been made. Typically, the length of payments lasts for half the length of a less than 10 years long marriage. For example: a marriage of six years means the spousal support payments will need to be paid for three years.

In longer marriages, a court might not set an a duration for the alimony payments. In that case, it is up to your divorce attorney to prove your side of the case and the duration. You should work with your divorce attorney to establish your side, regardless of if you are paying or receiving payments, and also determine the amount of time you seek. The court will then listen to both arguments, and using common law, decide upon the duration.

Permanent or Lifetime Spousal Support

“Permanent” or “Lifetime” spousal support means support will be paid to the recipient until the death of the one paying, or sometimes until the recipient remarries. While remarriage has been a reason for the end of spousal support payments, that is not always the case, and sometimes a court will rule that a remarriage does not mean the end of the support payments.

As women became a stronger component of the workforce, permanent support began to be rewarded less and less. And now courts rarely award permanent support. One appellate court stated:

“As recognized by our Supreme Court, the public policy of this state has progressed from one which entitled some women to lifelong alimony as a condition of the marital contract of support, to one that entitles either spouse to post-dissolution support for only so long as is necessary to become self-supporting.”

A court will usually require the higher earner, regardless of if they are husband or wife, to assist the lower earner with maintaining the standard of living, at least for a period of time.

“Standard of Living”

Heard is seeking $50,000 a month in spousal support, an amount that is reportedly based on their “marital lifestyle.” This “marital lifestyle” will be based on what is called a “standard of living,” which is often used as a sort of guidebook for how much money a spouse will receive.

Spousal support’s main purpose is to assist a supported spouse in maintaining a standard of living that was close to that which was attained during the marriage. But the goal is for the spouse receiving the payments to eventually become self-supporting to the greatest extent possible. A court will take the following into account:

marketable skills of the supported spouse,
job market for those skills,
any time or expense the supported spouse will need to acquire education or training for employment or enhanced employability, and
the extent to which periods of unemployment (due to domestic duties) during the marriage have impaired the supported spouse’s present or future earning capacity.

The court will also consider any other factors, including:

extent to which the supported spouse contributed to the other spouse’s attainment of education, training, professional licensing or career advancement (this can also mean the extent to which the supported spouse provided and maintained home life while the other spouse was advancing his or her career)
ability of the supporting spouse to pay support. A court will take into account earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, and standard of living,
needs of each party based on what the marital standard of living was,
each spouse’s obligations and assets, including separate property,
duration of the marriage,
ability of a spouse who is also a custodial parent to engage in employment without interfering with the interests of dependent children,
each spouse’s age and health,
documented history of domestic violence by either spouse*,
immediate and specific tax consequences to each spouse (often times tax agreements are figured out during the awarding of spousal support and child support agreements),
balance of the hardships to each spouse, and
the goal that the supported spouse will be self-supporting within a reasonable period of time. This follows a general rule of thumb presumed to be one-half the length of a marriage (unless the marriage was longer than 10 years).

*California courts do not ordinarily consider conduct when making spousal support determinations. But often times, a court will not award support to a spouse that has a proven history of violence toward the other spouse.

While a history of violence might factor into Depp and Heard’s case, it will be up to a judge to determine if that is a factor in the two’s divorce case, or if, as Depp’s lawyer’s allege that Heard is just using the restraining order as a means to secure her future financial footing.

A Family Law Attorney

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Amber Heard, Domestic Violence, Johnny Depp, restraining order, Spousal Support

Divorce Family Law Spousal Support

Italian Court Rules Man Can Pay Alimony with Pizza

Post author By Scott
Post date June 7, 2016

A judge in Italy has ruled that it’s not a crime that a man paid his alimony in pizza.

Italian Court Rules Man Can Pay Alimony with Pizza

It was recently decided that Padua, Italy based chef Nicola Toso was not in violation of his alimony payments when he paid them “in pizza.” Toso and his wife Nicoletta Zuin divorced in 2002. At that time, it was decided that Toso would pay $335 in monthly support payments. But six years later, following Italy’s financial crisis, Toso was unable to make those payments. Instead, it was agreed that Toso would provide Zuin with food from his restaurant – including pizza, calzones, and other menu items – instead of the agreed-upon amount of their divorce agreement.

But then in 2010, Zuin decided to take Toso to court, claiming that he had failed to provide alimony. Toso’s attorney argued that since her client had fallen on hard times, he did all he could do – offer to pay in pizza.

And it appears that a judge agrees with Toso’s side.

“In lieu of money, the defendant offered his ex-wife the same amount of compensation in the form of take-away pizzas from his workplace, an offer promptly rejected as “beggar’s change,” wrote judge Chiara Bitozzi, the judge presiding over the current court case.

Zuin wasn’t satiated with this cheesy arrangement and took her ex-husband to court in 2010, citing his failure to provide alimony.

What is Alimony / Spousal Support?

Alimony, often called “spousal support” is when one spouse pays the other in order to help that spouse maintain the same financial standing as was experienced during the marriage. A court will require the higher earning spouse to assist the lower in maintaining that standard of lifestyle that was achieved during the marriage.

Awarding Spousal Support

In California a judge can award temporary (“pendente lite”) support either during the divorce proceedings, or when the divorce is declared final. Typically these payments are made from one spouse to the other in a specified amount for a predetermined period of time. But support can also be paid in a single lump-sum payment. In collaborative process divorce agreements, spouses often come to agreement on the terms and conditions of support payments. As long as this agreement meets legal requirements, a court will uphold an agreement. This is the case even if the agreement provides for a complete waiver of support to the lower-earning spouse.

Duration of Spousal Support

In California, the duration of spousal support agreements are often tied to the length of the marriage. A general rule of thumb is that for a marriage of less than 10 years, a court will not order support payments be made for longer than half the length of the marriage. But if a marriage has lasted 10 years or longer, a court typically will not set a definite termination date for support. Both spouses are able to request modifications to the spousal support agreement indefinitely, unless a termination date has specifically been agreed, or if the court expressly terminates the support at a later hearing.

Awarding Permanent Support

Sometimes support is labeled “permanent” support, but the actual awarding of permanent support lasting for the remainder of a lifetime is increasingly rare, even for marriages that last over 10 years. Family law courts in California tend to require a spouse seeking support to make an effort to become self-supporting. A spouse that makes claims that they are unable to work, or unable to become fully employed, is required to support the claim with evidence. Often times this means having a vocational evaluation. And for long term support orders, the support often gradually reduces over time by a nominal amount. Permanent support is usually only awarded to spouses that are unable to become self-supporting due to age or disability.

Calculation of Spousal Support

California law rules that the purpose of awarding temporary spousal support is for preserving the financial status quo, or “standard of living during the marriage” to the greatest extent possible. After a court evaluates and considers the needs of the spouse requesting the support, as well as the ability of the other spouses ability to pay, it can order the temporary spousal support in any amount. Typically, a court will use a common formula for calculating temporary support. One example of this formula is the Santa Clara County formula. This formula comes up with a figure through subtracting 50% of the lower-earner’s net income from 40% of the higher earner’s, and then makes adjustments for tax consequences and child support payments. The California Department of Child Support provides a support calculator for parents of dependent children looking to get a rough estimate of what temporary spousal support payments might look like along with child support payments. A family law attorney will also be able to provide you with a rough idea of what your payments will look like.

Standard of Living

marketable skills of the supported spouse,
job market for those skills,
any time or expense the supported spouse will need to acquire education or training for employment or enhanced employability, and
the extent to which periods of unemployment (due to domestic duties) during the marriage have impaired the supported spouse’s present or future earning capacity.

The court will also consider any other factors, including:

extent to which the supported spouse contributed to the other spouse’s attainment of education, training, professional licensing or career advancement (this can also mean the extent to which the supported spouse provided and maintained home life while the other spouse was advancing his or her career)
ability of the supporting spouse to pay support. A court will take into account earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, and standard of living,
needs of each party based on what the marital standard of living was,
each spouse’s obligations and assets, including separate property,
duration of the marriage,
ability of a spouse who is also a custodial parent to engage in employment without interfering with the interests of dependent children,
each spouse’s age and health,
documented history of domestic violence by either spouse*,
immediate and specific tax consequences to each spouse (often times tax agreements are figured out during the awarding of spousal support and child support agreements),
balance of the hardships to each spouse, and
the goal that the supported spouse will be self-supporting within a reasonable period of time. This follows a general rule of thumb presumed to be one-half the length of a marriage (unless the marriage was longer than 10 years).

Modification or Termination of Spousal Support

Either spouse can request modification or termination of periodic payments due to a material change in circumstances, unless it has been specified in the spousal support agreement. Absent a written agreement stating otherwise, spousal support terminates on the death of either spouse, or on the remarriage of the recipient.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation is an arrangement where two people who are not married live together in an emotionally and/or sexually intimate relationship on a long-term or permanent basis. Typically, this term refers to unmarried couples who live together without formally registering their relation as a marriage. This type of arrangement can affect a spousal support agreement, as it is often deemed that a person living with a new partner has a reduced need for support.

Depending on your state:

• Your spousal support can be reduced or terminated upon cohabitation only if the cohabitation significantly decreases a recipient’s need for support.

• Your spousal support will be terminated regardless of whether the recipient’s economic need is diminished by cohabiting.

• Your spousal support will not be affected should the recipient of the support begin living with someone else.

You’ll want to work with a family law attorney in your state to ensure you understand the rules about cohabitation and spousal support payments.

Tax Effects

Periodic spousal support payments are typically taxable for the recipient and tax-deductible by the payer. During a divorce agreement couples often create their own settlement agreements to take advantage of this situation. Payments are structured to create the best possible tax scenario for both spouses. If there are children involved in the divorce, child support payments and their tax exemptions are also considered to ensure that both spouses receive the best tax benefits possible. There are usually no tax consequences for single lump-sum support payments.

Spousal Support Help

Working with a family law attorney can help you understand the process of awarding and receiving spousal support. Many of the laws are specific to the state you will be divorcing in, so it’s important you work with a lawyer that is knowledgeable about your state’s laws.

A Family Law Attorney

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags pizza

Divorce Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce

Khloe Continues Divorce Proceedings

Post author By Scott
Post date May 31, 2016

For a while it seemed like Khloe and Lamar’s divorce was on hold. After the basketball star was found unconscious in a brothel, his would-be ex-wife rushed to his side, and seemingly put their pending divorce on hold. But now it appears Kardashian is moving forward with her divorce.

Khloe Continues Divorce Proceedings

Just hours after Kardashian, 31, reinitiated legal steps to finalize the split from Odom, she attended Scott Disick’s birthday party.

“She was really in a great mood. Very bubbly and happy,” said a source at the party. “She played with her nieces and nephews. She is the best aunt.”

The source added, “Everyone in her family is happy that she is moving on. She has all the support possible.”

While it had seemed for a while that Kardashian and Odom might discontinue their divorce proceedings, according to a source, it “was always the plan” to go through with the divorce, and “The divorce has never been officially off.” Rather “Khloé was waiting for the timing to be right.”

Now it appears the timing is right and the divorce is amicable. It also appears as if Kardashian is ready for the split. “She took care of Lamar out of love, but she is ready to move on now,” said the source, then adding that Kardashian “doesn’t agree” with recent reports that Odom has been drinking.

The Second Time Filing

Kardashian ran into a number of problems the first time she tried to file for divorce from Odom – namely the fact that she could not locate him in order to serve divorce papers.

The divorce between the reality TV star and the former professional basketball player has been in the tabloids for years now. While it seemed as if the two were leading a charmed life in front of the cameras on their hit TV show, Khloe and Lamar, the relationship crumbled when the basketball player relapsed into his substance abuse problem.

Kardahsian filed for divorce on September 13, 2013. Odom could not be located to sign the papers.

In Life&Style magazine’s September issue it was reported that the couple had received notice from The Superior Court of California County “alerting both Lamar and Khloe that their divorce is not complete — and once again, she didn’t respond.”

As of April of this year, it was still unclear what was happening between the two. It seemed as if Odom could not be located and Kardashian had still not moved to get a default divorce judgement, despite the fact that she was able to.

A default divorce judgement can be granted if the respondent does not file his or her response within 30 days of receiving the divorce petition. The petitioner can obtain a “default” divorce by filing court forms for judgment, child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. No trial is necessary.

Still it seems that Kardashian did not want to move forward.

Divorce by Publication

When a spouse cannot be found, you are able to pursue a divorce by publication. To do so, you will need to prove to the court that you have searched for your missing or hiding spouse through a number of means. You will have to file a signed Affidavit of Diligent Search that proves you have exhausted your search, and the spouse can absolutely not be found.

Publication of Summons

After submitting the Affidavit of Diligent Search you will file an Ex Parte (Without Notice) Application for Publication of Summons; Declaration of Petitioner in Support Thereof; Memorandum of Points and Authorities. Once a court approves these it will issue an Order of Publication. This allows the summons to be published once a week for four successive weeks, with at least 5 days between successive publications.

Failure to Respond

The missing spouse has 30 days to file his or her response response, but if they fail to a Petitioner then files a Request to Enter Default Dissolution of Marriage. There is no final hearing and the divorce will proceed and be finalized six months after the first publication of the summons. While the court can grant the divorce, it is not able to legally make decisions regarding child custody, child support, or division of property.

It has been no small trial for Kardashian this time around in helping Odom after he was discovered unconscious in a brother. Kardashian provided not only emotional, but also financial support for the fallen basketball star during his months in recovery. “She was loyal for a long time and taking care of him,” said a source, “but she’s not a babysitter and needs to move on with her life.”

According to source, Kardashian was at his side day and night, ensuring that he received the best medical care possible. Following his release from the hospital, she helped him move into a leased home that sits in the same gated community as her home while he recovered.

“She never wanted to file for divorce in the first place, and it’s not easy the the second time around either. But she knows it’s the right thing for her,” said the source.

At least now for the second time she is divorcing him, she is in contact with Odom. As a result there seems to be a little more closure that can happen for her.

“She wants to remove herself from the situation a bit,” the source added. “She wants to focus on her own happiness now.”

Moving On

Moving forward after divorce means that every day you will need to actively work to progress and improve . As Professor Harold Hill once said: “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays.” It’s time to take your life back into your own hands.

Big changes can be accomplished with small steps, like these:

Wake up
Get in the zone
Get moving
Eat well
Get inspired
Gain some perspective
Do something that will propel you forward

Get Some Sleep and Wake Up in the AM

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders. Additionally, 60 percent of adults and 69 percent of children have one or more sleep problems at least a few nights during a week.

Getting the right amount of sleep can help you have a longer life, increased creativity, memory, attention, and focus. It can help to lower stress and your risk for depression.

Bottom line: you need your beauty sleep.

Find Clarity

Focus on the positive things in your life. What you set your focus on expands. After waking up from a restful night’s sleep, prayer and meditation can help orient you toward the positive.

Focus on what you are grateful for: being out of a marriage that did not serve you. There are limitless opportunities and possibilities for you every day, so start the morning off by getting yourself into a space of gratitude and clarity.

Physical Activity

By now we all know we need exercise. Still, according to the Center for Disease Control’s National Health Interview Survey, only one-third of American men and women between the ages of 25 to 64 engage in regular physical activity.

Regular exercise has shown to decrease your chance of depression, anxiety, and stress. It’s also been linked to higher success in people’s careers. Any form of exercise works: the gym, yard work, cleaning. Just get your body moving and every aspect of your life will thrive.

Take a Step Forward

Do the important things first. As you work through the day you’ll find your ability to make high quality decisions becomes fatigued. So if you don’t do the important things first, they simply will not get done. That means if you have to contact your ex-spouse for any reason – to discuss an issue with your children, or to ask if they can switch a day of child care next week, get it done first.

When it comes to personal things, the same is true. There will always be a million reasons to put something off til tomorrow. And tomorrow means never.

Consider this mantra: The worst comes first. Do what you’ve been needing to do first. And then do it again the next day.

Every day you need to take a step towards your goals. With every new step, you’ll realize that your goals aren’t that far away.

Moving Forward

A divorce can shatter your life if you let it. So don’t let it.

Every day you can move forward with these steps. Put a plan in place to succeed. Every step on that plan brings you closer to your dreams. Maybe that means finally having a day where you don’t feel guilty or sad about your divorce. Maybe it’s a day of less resentment. Maybe it’s a day where you focus on getting healthy by preparing a good meal for yourself.

Making small steps every day like the ones outlined above will change your life.

A Family Law Attorney

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Divorce, divorce proceedings, Khloe Kardashian, Lamar Odom

Divorce Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce Spousal Support

Depp’s Marriage Ends After One Year of Marriage

Post author By Scott
Post date May 23, 2016

After just one year of marriage, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have filed for divorce.

Depp’s Marriage Ends After One Year of Marriage

Amber Heard, 30, has filed for divorce from Johnny Depp, 52, and is seeking spousal support, according to court documents.

The two met on the set of The Rum Diary in 2009 and married in February 2015 in two ceremonies – one on Depp’s private island in the Bahamas, and one at Depp’s West Hollywood, California home.

Depp thanked Heard during an acceptance speech for an achievement award at the annual Palm Springs Film Festival gala, saying, “I also have to thank my wife Amber for putting up with me, for living with all these characters, which can’t be easy. It’s hard for me—it’s got to be hard for her.”

Heard cited “irreconcilable differences” in the court papers and is seeking spousal support.

Spousal Support

Calculating Spousal Support

Length of Spousal Support

Permanent or Lifetime Spousal Support

As women became a stronger component of the workforce, permanent support began to be rewarded less and less. And now courts rarely award permanent support. One appellate court stated:

A court will usually require the higher earner, regardless of if they are husband or wife, to assist the lower earner with maintaining the standard of living, at least for a period of time.

Changes in Financial Situation

The duration of spousal support payments can also be dependent on if the spouse receiving the support has a change in their financial standing (as the result of beginning a new job or higher pay). The purpose of spousal support is to ensure financial safeguards for the person receiving them. Therefore, if they no longer need to receive money to help them maintain financial footing, then a court can rule that they are able to support themselves and no longer need the support they have been receiving.

Tax Strategy During Divorce Decisions

If you’re paying or receiving spousal support there are some basic tax laws you need to know and remember both during your divorce proceedings and after.

Bottom line: If you receive spousal support, you must declare it as taxable income . If you’re paying spousal support, you can deduct it. This differs from child support, as child support is not taxable and not deductible.

During the Ruling

You’ll want to remember this rule while you and your spouse are working out alimony agreements, as it does impact your bottom line when it comes to your finances. The final ruling and decision should reflect the intentions you have going into tax time. You might decide to have the paying spouse agree to pay the recipient spouse’s tax liability. A family law attorney should advise you on this during your alimony hearing.

A Helpful Tip

If you’re able to negotiate with your spouse, it might be helpful to try and work out the best tax deal that works for both of you. If you’re in the middle of a litigious divorce and alimony decision, this type of negotiation may be difficult, but it might save you a lot of time and headaches around tax season.

If you receive alimony: plan for the potential tax impact. Your former spouse is not be able to withhold taxes from the support check you receive. That means you will need to account for that when you calculate how much you’ll be paying in taxes. For this reason you might want to consider paying quarterly taxes. That will save you from getting hit at one time come April 15th.

If you are paying alimony: remember you are able to deduct the support payments on your income tax return, but not child support or distribution of property. The IRS often scrutinizes payments made during the first three years you make payments to ensure that you have not disguised your alimony payments as property distribution or other post divorce

Family Law Attorney

Working with a lawyer that understands the ins and outs of the tax repercussions of divorce can help mitigate the confusion both during the agreement hearings and after (once you are actually making the payments).

Falling Behind on Alimony

It’s not an uncommon story: a man or woman falls behind on their alimony payments. This can happen for a number of reasons: loss of job, inability to get a job, or negligence. If you’re the one not receiving the payments, it can have a damaging effect on your entire life. Here’s some information on if your ex fails to make alimony payments.

What’s the Reason?

If you are not receiving court-ordered alimony payments try to find out why. Did your ex recently lose his or her job? Were they injured and are no unable to work? If this is the case, you might want to consider working out a plan to make up lost payments or to make future payments. Working with an attorney on something like this is a great idea as they will be able to provide an unbiased opinion on the situation. You will also have legal proof should you need to take the un-paying spouse to court.

Avoiding Alimony Payment

If your spouse is able to make the payments, and has not suffered a loss or job, or an injury that is keeping them from work, and rather just avoiding their court-ordered obligation, you’ll need to seek legal help. You will need to file a motion with the court asking a judge to order your spouse to pay any past-due past payments. This motion will also include an agreement to keep up with the future payments. You’ll want to work with an experienced family law attorney to draft a persuasive legal motion for this. An attorney will also being able to serve as your representative in court.

Consequences of Not Paying Alimony

Courts have a number punishments or fines for delinquent spouses. While the laws governing the consequences vary from state to state, generally a court will allow the following:

Holding a spouse in contempt. This can lead to fines and possible jail time.
Withholding income from the spouse. During this the delinquent spouse’s employer is required to withhold the spousal support amount from the delinquent spouse’s paycheck. That money is then sent directly to the spouse that is supposed to be receiving spousal support.
Writ of Execution = when a judge awards a portion of the delinquent spouse’s bank accounts and other assets to the receiver spouse.
If the amount owed is substantial, you are able to ask the court to issue a money judgment for the total amount owed along with interest.

Contact a family law attorney that can help you file a legal action to enforce alimony. A lawyer will be able to ensure you receive the money that is owed to you.

Working with a Family Law Attorney

There are a number of things that need to be considered during a divorce and during a spousal support decision. Working with a skilled attorney can help ensure you get a fair case. For advice on divorce and spousal support you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Amber Heard, celeb divorce, Johnny Depp, Spousal Support

Child Custody Child Visitation Family Law

Madonna Battles Guy Ritchie for Child Custody

Post author By Scott
Post date May 16, 2016

Madonna and Guy Ritchie are currently locked in a child custody battle over 15-year-old son, Rocco.

Madonna Battles Guy Ritchie for Child Custody

Madonna’s child custody issues began at the end of last year when son Rocco decided to leave his mother’s Rebel Heart world tour to visit his father in London and remain in London rather than return to the US. Madonna applied for legal action under the Hague Convention – which deals with the abduction of children – for the return of Rocco, but has since terminated that action.

Judges on both sides of the pond have urged the couple to come to a decision. During the handing down of his ruling, Judge MacDonald said: “At the root of these proceedings… is a temporary breakdown in trust. For all the media coverage, comment and analysis, this is a case born out of circumstances that arise for countless separated parents the world over.

“I renew, one final time, my pleas for the parents to seek, and to find, an amicable resolution to the dispute between them.”

Judge MacDonald’s sentiments echo those of New York judge Deborah Kaplan, who told both parties: “No one is disrupting his household other than the inability of the parents to reach a resolution.”

Forms of Child Custody

There are different forms of child custody: legal custody, physical custody, sole custody, and joint custody.

Physical Custody

Sole Custody

There are two forms of sole custody a parent can have: sole legal custody or sole physical custody. Courts seem to be moving away from awarding sole custody to one parent as more information is coming out about the importance of having both parents in a child’s life. In cases where a parent has been deemed unfit due to a history of neglect or abuse, a known dependency on drugs or alcohol, or a new parent that has been deemed unfit, a court will usually award sole physical custody to one parent. It’s advised that unless a parent has demonstrated the above issues, that you do not seek sole custody, due to the importance of having both parents in a child’s life.

Legal Custody

Legal custody allows a parent to make decisions regarding various aspects of a child’s life, including: education, religion, and medical care or legal issues.

Joint Custody

Preparing for Your Child Custody Case Hearing

One you have filed your petition to be granted sole child custody you will receive a date for either a mediation session or a court hearing. You’ll want to be prepared going into this meeting. Here are some steps to prepare.

Work with Your Family Law Attorney

Your family law attorney will help you prepare for the mediation or court hearing. If you have been working with a family law attorney up to this point, chances are you have already built your case for why the other parent is unfit to raise the child or children you share. If you have not been working with a family law attorney, you will need to gather evidence of this on your own. We’ll discuss this more in depth further below.

Serve the Other Parent

After the petition has been filed, you’ll need to let the other parent know that you have done so, and that you are requesting that a change be made to the current custody agreement. You can either work with your family law attorney to have the notification served, or work with a service company or the courthouse to have this done. Once the notification is served, the person who served the papers will need to provide you with proof that the other parent has been made aware. This is called “Proof of Service.” You’ll need to provide this to the court.

Preparing Evidence

Family law courts prefer to award joint custody to both parents. Because of this, you will need to prove that the other parent is unfit and unable to handle custody of your child. This may be proven a number of ways. Here are a few examples:

A history of abuse or neglect. Are there any police reports that have been filed against the other parent? Are there other pieces of evidence? Are there witnesses that can corroborate your story?
Lifestyle. Does the other parent have a job? Is it a steady job that can ensure the other parent is able to financially take care of the child? Where does the other parent live? Is it a safe environment?
Emotional and physical health. Is the other parent physically and mentally able to care for the child?

Once you have prepared all your evidence, either on your own, or with the help of a family law attorney, you will be ready for the mediation or court hearing. If during the mediation session you are unable to come to an agreement, then the case will need to go before a judge. Hopefully, either through mediation or the court hearing, you will then be granted with sole child custody.

It should be noted that if a parent strongly disagrees with how the court has decided on the custody case, there is always an option to appeal.

Appealing Child Custody Decisions

Child custody cases are difficult due to the nature of the subject. A family law court will always rule in the best interest of the child. It’s important to note that an appeals court will not review a case just because one party disagrees with what the judge decided. If you feel your child custody agreement was arrived at because the court made a substantive error (either procedural or legal) you are able to appeal the court’s decision. Here’s how to appeal a child custody ruling.

Work with a Family Law Attorney

Working with a family law attorney will help you prove your case. In the case of appealing an already decided agreement, the family law attorney will need to prove that the previous decision was arrived at inaccurately due to a legal error or a procedural error.

Rules of Your Jurisdiction

Every state has different rules that given child custody cases and appeals. A family law attorney will be familiar with the rules of your specific jurisdiction and will be able to help guide you through the process. If you are not working with a family law attorney, you will need to research the rules on your own. These jurisdiction rules govern what your timeline is for filing an appeal to your child custody case, as well as exact guidelines for what should be contained in the petition to appeal. You can find these rules online or at your local courthouse.

Prepare an Appellate Petition

Next, you will need to prepare an appellate petition. This petition outlines why you are appealing the current child custody decision, as well as lists the errors that the lower court made when deciding on your child custody decision. If you are not working with a family law attorney, you might want to have the petition you fill out reviewed by one, just to ensure it has been done correctly. Next, you will file this petition with the court, as well as have a notification of the filing served to your opposing party.

Review of Appellate Petition

The court will then review the appellate petition and decide whether or not to hear your child custody appeal. If the court decides to hear your case, you will need to prepare a brief that explains your reasons for appealing the initial child custody agreement. This brief should include the lower court’s rules, case law, and all the facts that were presented in the initial custody hearing. A judge will review this and offer a final decision.

When parents live in different locations, either different states, countries, or even towns, the issue of child custody can become very difficult. It’s not uncommon for parents to request move away court orders.

Move Away Court Orders

If you are facing a case such as this one, the first thing you need to identify is if you are able to move away and relocate your child. Most courts will not allow a parent to relocate the child unless he or she has received written consent from the other parent or a court.

During a question of relocating a child the court takes the “best interest of the child” into account, considering these factors:

Is the current child custody arrangement stable?
Where is the new location? How far away is it from the household of the remaining parent?
What will be the financial impact (for both parents)?
Age of the child
What is the current relationship between the parents and the child?
Are the parents able to co-parent?
What are the child’s wishes (this is often dependent on the child’s age)?
Does the child require special accommodations? If so, are these accommodations available in the new location?
Reason for the move
Any additional factors

Working with A Family Law Attorney

When it comes to child custody decisions, you’ll want to work with a skilled family law attorney. There are a number of things that need to be considered, namely the best interests of the child, but also what type of custody you are hoping to acheive. Working with a skilled attorney can help ensure you get a fair case. For advice on divorce, child custody determinations, setting up a co-parenting agreement, dividing marital property, and spousal support you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Tags Child Custody, custody battle, guy ritchie, madonna