Divorce is often a time of upheaval and high emotion. As your marriage comes to an end, you have many decisions to make, and you want to be certain that your choices allow you to move into your post-divorce life with as little stress as possible.For many California...
Firm News
What makes a premarital agreement unenforceable
A prenuptial agreement can serve as a great tool for mitigating common divorce issues, such as the division of property and alimony. Unfortunately, in our experience, there are flaws in the vast majority of California premarital agreements. Such flaws often render...
Should you consider legal separation instead of divorce?
The decision to divorce is a tough one to make, as once a couple makes the decision there is no going back. Many California couples are not ready for that kind of finality. If you and your spouse have decided that you need a time-out but are not quite sure if divorce...
Custody modification requests should not be made lightly
You probably want to avoid creating more upheaval and stress for your child. After all, the divorce was stressful enough, and you are only beginning to adjust to your new reality. Perhaps the biggest adjustment was the parenting plan the court ordered. It may have...
Are there rules for how I can spend child support?
It is a common misconception that parents can only use child support to pay for a child's most basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. The truth is that you, as a recipient parent in California, can use child support for any and all costs associated with...
Should same-sex partners get married?
Since the landmark Supreme Court ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case in 2015, same-sex couples throughout the country, including California, are now afforded the same legal rights and privileges that opposite-sex couples enjoy in regard to marriage. However, no...
Seeking a just division of property
When you and your spouse choose to dissolve your marriage, a California judge will attempt to divide your shared property as equitably as possible. A 50-50 split between the two of you may seem like the most fair arrangement, but what is fair is not necessarily...
Why you need to know about the different types of child custody
California parents understand how difficult it is to deal with matters pertaining to child custody during divorce. Even two parents who resolve to work amicably and respectfully together on a joint custody plan may find these issues complex and sensitive. It is...
Child custody mediation benefits and tips
In California, child custody mediation is a precursor to going before the judge to receive the final custody order. Mediation has many benefits, and one of the main ones is the positive effect it has on children. According to the American Bar Association, parents...
Tips for estate planning in domestic partnerships
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. However, just because it is legal, doesn’t mean that all long-time couples in California get married. At Butler, Thiessen & Metzinger, Inc., we know this makes...
