What is a One Lawyer Divorce?
By Matthew Moore, CFLS In The War of the Roses, Danny de Vito plays the attorney trying to help Barbara Rose (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) sort out their divorce. While it did not go so well for…
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What is the Difference Between Family Law Mediation and Litigation? In a Word: Control
By Matthew Moore, CFLS Practically every family law matter ends the same way: with a judge signing a judgment or final order. But there are many ways to get to that final signature. Our family law system is very good,…
Does My Name Change Automatically When I Get Divorced?
By Matthew Moore, CFLS More and more people are keeping their name when they get married, but it is still common practice for one spouse to take the other spouse’s last name. What happens with our respective legal names upon…
Is Legal Separation a Kinder, Gentler Option to Divorce?
By Matthew Moore, CFLS Is legal separation a kinder, gentler option to divorce? In a word: No. But this is such a common misperception that it’s worth a fuller explanation. Life is full of uncertainties. And the decision to divorce a spouse…
Date of Separation – It’s a big deal. But it’s also a little subjective.
By Matthew Moore, CFLS California is a community property state. That means, generally, that everything acquired during marriage is community property, and such property (and debt) is divided 50/50 at divorce. Simple enough. And we’re all pretty clear on when the marriage…