Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) When I first meet someone trying to handle their case without a lawyer, I often hear the same thing: “I’m overwhelmed and I don’t know where to start.” The good news is, you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Shasta County…
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Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) When parents ask me about “fifty–fifty,” what they really want is simple: a fair schedule that keeps both parents meaningfully involved and keeps the child steady and safe. In California, equal time is possible, but it works best when you understand how judges…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) I spend a lot of time helping people who are trying to navigate family court without a private attorney. In Contra Costa County, the Family Law Facilitator’s Office at the Spinetta Family Law Center is one of the most useful resources you can…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) As a California paralegal with an LL.M., I walk clients through domestic violence restraining orders every week. The forms, the deadlines, the hearing itself, it can all feel intimidating when you are just trying to get safe or respond to serious allegations. This…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) As a California paralegal with an LL.M., I spend a lot of time translating family law into real life. Divorce is a legal process, but it is also a human process. My goal here is to give you the same clear, practical roadmap…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) When I talk to parents going through custody disputes, one of the first things I clarify is what joint custody actually means, and what it doesn’t. In California, joint custody isn’t a one-size-fits-all arrangement. It’s a flexible structure that lets both parents share…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Family law isn’t just about statutes or court dates – it’s about real people facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. As someone who has worked with families across California, I’ve seen what it takes to move through divorce, custody disputes,…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) I’ll be the first to say it – few topics make engaged couples squirm more than prenuptial agreements. But as someone who has spent years helping California couples navigate family law, I can tell you this: a prenup isn’t about distrust. It’s about…
Continue reading ›Authored by Izzat H. Riaz – Californian Paralegal, U.K. Certified Lawyer (LL.M.) Why this matters (and why I love this job) When someone asks you to officiate, they’re handing you the keys to one of the biggest moments of their lives. It’s beautiful, and it’s also paperwork. My job is making sure the romance and…
Continue reading ›I spend a lot of time inside California family law, reading files, sitting in courtrooms, and helping clients make sense of what’s next. One thing I remind folks right away: our divorce story in California isn’t what most people think. Yes, divorces happen every day from Los Angeles to San Francisco to San Diego. But…
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