Introduction Did you know that in California family law, you can sometimes get a judge to make a ruling without the other side present? This is called an ex parte hearing. It’s a powerful legal tool – but it’s also one that courts only grant under specific and urgent circumstances. Ex parte hearings are reserved…
Continue reading ›Divorce or separation is never easy, especially when children are involved. One of the most important steps parents face is creating a parenting plan – a detailed agreement that explains how you and the other parent will share time, responsibilities, and decision-making for your children. Courts often require parents to submit a parenting plan as…
Continue reading ›Introduction to Child Custody A child custody schedule is a crucial part of a parenting plan, outlining how parents will share time with their children and helping to manage children’s routines and well-being. The 5 5 2 2 custody schedule is one of many custody schedules designed to provide equal parenting time, splitting time equally…
Continue reading ›Introduction: Guidance for Families in Transition When families face divorce, child custody, or child support disputes, the stress can be overwhelming. That’s why having an experienced family lawyer on your side is essential. Family law attorneys provide not just legal services, but peace of mind during some of life’s most difficult transitions. Unfortunately, many families…
Continue reading ›Introduction Many couples in long-term relationships wonder whether they have the same rights as married spouses, even without a marriage license. This question often leads to confusion around California and common law marriage. While some states recognize common law marriage, California does not — but there are important exceptions, legal protections, and strategies unmarried couples…
Continue reading ›Intro: When Minutes Matter Imagine this: your child’s safety is on the line, and waiting weeks for a court date just isn’t an option. This is known as a child custody emergency, where immediate legal action is needed to protect a child’s safety or well-being. In California, you can ask the court for an emergency…
Continue reading ›Intro: When Visits Come With Supervision Custody cases can get complicated, and sometimes, the court decides a parent’s time with their child must be supervised. There are many reasons why a court might order supervised visitation, depending on the specific circumstances of each case. If you’ve heard terms like “supervised visitation,” “monitored visitation,” or “supervised…
Continue reading ›Intro: Custody Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing Custody battles in California can feel like you’re studying for the bar exam without ever signing up for law school. Don’t stress — this guide breaks down California custody law in plain English. We’ll cover legal custody, physical custody, parenting plans, and what the court actually looks at…
Continue reading ›Divorce and child custody cases can be some of the most challenging times in a person’s life. Navigating divorce and custody is often a difficult process that can deeply affect the lives and relationships of all parties involved, especially when the child’s best interests are at stake. In California, the outcome of family law matters…
Continue reading ›This plain-English guide explains California’s civil harassment restraining orders from A–Z: who qualifies, how to file a temporary restraining order (TRO), what happens at the hearing, how “permanent” orders work, and how these cases interact with family law, employment, and criminal matters. California’s civil harassment restraining orders are governed by specific civil procedure rules, which…
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