Dear Clients and Friends, The next-door neighbors convinced your aunt to sign over the deed to her house. Your stepfather’s long-lost son came to visit and walked away with a quitclaim deed to the family cottage. What do you do when you suspect someone did something “fishy” to … [Read more...] about Challenging a quitclaim deed
Family Law
Transfer assets to trusts with extreme caution (if at all)
Dear Clients and Friends, If there’s one thing family courts hate, it’s a spouse who plays dirty by trying to hide assets in the hopes of avoiding having to split them as part of the marital estate. Doing so can bring stiff consequences, such as having to cede a bigger … [Read more...] about Transfer assets to trusts with extreme caution (if at all)
Naming a guardian for your children
Dear Clients and Friends, Resist the urge to avoid naming a guardian as part of your estate plan simply because it’s not easy to imagine someone else raising your children. If you don’t, you leave the guardianship of your children up to the courts if you pass away. Think about … [Read more...] about Naming a guardian for your children
“Do-it-yourself” divorce apps – pros and cons
Dear Clients and Friends, “Do-it-yourself” divorce apps and programs for preparing and processing forms have become more popular. While DIY divorce may turn out fine in some cases, it’s full of risk. If your divorce is simple (because it doesn’t involve kids, neither side … [Read more...] about “Do-it-yourself” divorce apps – pros and cons
Spousal Support (aka Alimony) and our new Federal tax laws
Dear clients and Friends, The comprehensive tax law titled: TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT OF 20 17 (TCJA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in January of 2018. In the world of Family Law, spousal support - aka alimony - is the new provision of highest … [Read more...] about Spousal Support (aka Alimony) and our new Federal tax laws
Minors and their legal CA marriages
Dear Clients and Friends, California Family Code Sections 300-303 make California one of a handful of states without an official minimum age for marriage. This privilege does not come without control factors for these young persons (under the age of 18) which are that they … [Read more...] about Minors and their legal CA marriages
