Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) A practical, parent-focused guide grounded in California family law Custody mediation can feel intimidating, especially when it is court ordered. Many parents walk into mediation thinking it is a disguised courtroom battle or that the mediator will secretly “pick a winner.” In reality,…
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Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) California-focused guidance from a family law perspective When parents separate or divorce, uncertainty around child custody is often the most stressful part. I see this repeatedly in practice. Parents are not just worried about schedules. They are worried about their child’s stability, daily…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Introduction to California Online Divorce Reaching an agreement on property division, child custody, and support helps streamline the process and is essential for an uncontested divorce. Understanding California Divorce Forms Filing for Divorce in California Divorce Petition and Case Number Online Divorce Platforms…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Written from a California family law perspective Divorce is never just a legal event. It is a financial reset, a parenting re-structure, and often an emotional turning point. In San Francisco, where cost of living, property values, and complex family structures frequently intersect,…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Why Custody Definitions Matter Custody disputes are some of the most emotionally charged moments in family law. Parents are not just asking who gets which days. They are asking who makes decisions, where the child lives, and how the child’s life will be…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Introduction Legal separation in a military marriage is one of the most misunderstood areas of family law. I see this confusion often, especially among service members and spouses who assume that living apart or signing a private agreement means they are “legally separated.”…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Understanding the Six-Month Waiting Period and What Really Affects Your Timeline One of the first questions I hear from people considering divorce is simple but loaded: How long is this going to take? The short answer is that California law imposes a mandatory…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) The Big Picture of Child Custody in California Child custody in California is not about winning weekends or scoring points against the other parent. At its core, custody law is about one thing: protecting the child’s health, safety, and overall well-being. Every rule,…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Going through a custody dispute is stressful on its own. When court-ordered mediation enters the picture, many parents assume the worst. In practice, custody mediation is not designed to punish or trap parents. It is designed to reduce conflict, center the child, and…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Introduction to Divorce in California One of the biggest sources of stress I see in California divorces is not the law itself, but the paperwork. California family law is form-driven. If the forms are incomplete, incorrect, or missing, your case can stall for…
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