You have probably heard through advertising or news stories that California is a "no-fault" state when it comes to divorce. It is for this very reason why so many that we here at Butler, Thiessen & Metzinger, Inc. work with in Stockton express surprise when asked what...
Firm News
Your spouse opened a bank account for your child. Is it suspect?
When you and your spouse decided to file papers in a California court to obtain a divorce, you likely agreed that both of you would try to keep your children's best interests in mind. That may be why you thought nothing of it when your spouse opened a bank account for...
Domestic violence and custody matters
There are many different issues that can affect a family law case, but domestic violence is an area of particular concern. Whether a parent is wrongly accused of family violence or a child is subjected to abuse, these allegations can be extremely concerning and there...
Social media and your custody case
There are all sorts of different factors that can have an impact on a case involving child custody, such as a parent’s income, the child’s own preferences and domestic violence. In the digital age, additional considerations have arisen when it comes to...
How child support is calculated in California
According to California Family Code, section 4503, both mother and father or former partners are mutually responsible for the support of their shared children. Furthermore, both parents must pay for the support of the child per each's ability. To ensure that parents...
False accusations of domestic violence in divorce
Accusations of domestic violence in any California divorce can have a detrimental impact on the outcome for the accused. For this reason, California courts treat allegations extremely seriously and investigate each claim in depth before making any final...
When joint custody is not always what is best
California takes the best interests of a child into consideration first and foremost when determining custody. Though best interest standards typically dictate that equal and active involvement on both parent's parts is in the child's best interests, a legal or...
Collaboration: the way to stronger custody agreements
Divorce is a complex and difficult process, and it can often cause disruption in the lives of the kids. Many California parents work diligently to protect their children from undue harm by drafting parenting plans and custody arrangements that will work for their...
What can I do to increase my odds of a better custody agreement?
If you want to increase your odds of obtaining a better custody agreement in California, you must prove to the judge that living with you for a majority of the time is in your child's best interests. Though there is no standard definition of "best interests," each...
Dividing real estate in the divorce
If you and your spouse have acquired a significant amount of real estate during your marriage, your divorce may be a high-asset one and subject to stricter property division guidelines. At Butler, Thiessen & Metzinger, Inc., we represent clients in high-asset divorce...
