Sunday, June 7, 2015

A Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer

A family lawyer differs from others in that the attorney deals only with cases involving marriage, divorce, child support issues and custody. If this is the type you need, here are three ways to narrow down your search.

1. Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations
Chances are a friend, family member or even a trusted co-worker either is or knows someone who has hired a lawyer for a similar reason to yours. If you have a lawyer for other purposes, you can also ask him or her for a reference. If those resources fail, you can check with your local American Bar Association.

2. Do Some Research
Websites, social media profiles and news stories can all give you a better picture of the person you are looking to hire. You can check if the lawyer has experience and other qualifications for your specific case. Read online reviews to see how other clients felt about the service provided.

3. Contact Your Top Choices
Next, you’ll want to know which person seems to have your best interest in mind. Make an appointment to meet with the lawyer. Do you feel like he or she understands your case? Will he or she be willing to fight for you? If the answer is no, move on to the next one.

You need to be able to trust the attorney you hire, so take the time to determine if this will be someone you feel comfortable with. To learn more about a family lawyer in La Quinta, please visit this website.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

The Healing Power of a Hug

Feeling sad, burnt-out or overwhelmed? Maybe all you need is a hug to feel better. Hugs have been proven to elevate moods and decrease stress.

Four Things You Need to Do to Prepare for a Divorce

When you make the decision that a divorce is right for your situation, there are a few things you need to do before you should proceed with filing the papers. These four suggestions will help you get the best result from a terrible situation

1. Gather Necessary Paperwork
There are many different types of paperwork you will need for your divorce. Having copies on-hand when you are ready to file can be incredible beneficial. Some of the required paperwork includes:
• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Tax returns from the last 3-5 years
• Mortgage information
• W-2s

2. Understand Financial Situation
When you file for divorce, you will need at least a basic understanding of the financial situation for your household. You need to know how much money you have, how much money you and your spouse make and how much debt you have. This will create a clear picture of how much more money you will need to pay for a divorce.

3. Inventory Assets
Making a list of the things you independently own is very important in a divorce. This will help prevent your spouse from taking something that belongs to you. If something belonged to you before you were married, it is important to take note of that.

4. Hire a Lawyer
This is a very important step. The right lawyer can get you everything you want out of a divorce, while the wrong one can leave you with nothing. Hire a trusted divorce lawyer to ensure your divorce goes according to plan.

Divorcing your spouse is one of the hardest decision people ever have to make. Be sure you are prepared if it ever happens to you. For more information on a divorce attorney in San Diego, visit this website.

The Facts About Spousal Support

Spousal support is the financial payments made from one spouse to the other after a divorce. The purpose of spousal support is to allow the former spouse the ability to maintain the same standard of living while the marriage was intact after the divorce. 

Alimony means the same as spousal support. Spousal support laws prevent a divorced spouse from undergoing a decrease in their standard of living. When discussing post-divorce support, both terms, alimony and spousal support, can be interchangeable.

Many times after the divorce, because one spouse has been away from the workforce for a significant amount of time or is untrained, it is difficult to quickly find a job that will allow that person to keep their same standard of living. In California, spousal support bridges the gap between the length of time it will take for that spouse to find employment or resources that will pay for their living costs. 

All divorces do not require that alimony be part of a separation or divorce. The divorces that characteristically require spousal support are those that are typically litigated. Spousal support will most likely be the biggest financial obligation you will suffer as part of a divorce. Paying spousal support can costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and last decades. If you want to pay less, you have to negotiate to reduce the amount requested by the spouse. 

California is a no-fault jurisdiction state. That means that the court will not consider whether or not the spouse had an affair when it determines the amount of spousal support. If, however, the spouse is living with another person, the court might presume that the need for support is decreased. 

In the state of California, marriages lasting 10 years or more are considered long-duration marriages, and the court cannot set a termination date for alimony at the time of the trial. If you reach retirement age and cannot work, you will not be required to continue paying spousal support. Additionally, if you are due for a raise, the court is not allowed to increase your support based on earnings received post separation. If you own your own business and earnings have been low since the divorce, you can probably get your obligations lowered. 

Your requirement to pay spousal support terminates upon the remarriage of the spouse being supported. For additional information on spousal support in San Diego, please visit this website.

Out With the Old

When a relationship ends, things that were once important just aren’t anymore. Throwing out old items can actually be cathartic in getting over a connection that has soured. While love may not last, your dreams still can and should.

How to Tell if Your Partner is Cheating

One of the worst things that can happen in a relationship is a cheating partner. No matter what, it always hurts. This is why it is so important to find out as soon as possible. Here are three ways to tell if your partner is cheating on you.

1. Changing Language
If your partner suddenly starts using phrases you haven’t heard them use before, they may be picking up someone else’s speech patterns. Many people use phrases over and over, whether they realize it or not. It is common for friends or partners to pick up certain phrases from one another. If your partner starts using previously unheard phrases, they could be spending a lot of time with someone else.

2. Youthful, Impulsive Behavior
The danger and risk of an affair makes people feel young and reckless. If your partner starts to act like a kid again, there may be a very upsetting reason. Suggesting that the two of you or a group of friends partake it a wild night when that is something out of the ordinary could be a sign that they are cheating.

3. Accusing You of Cheating
This is a big one. If your partner accuses you of cheating, it may indicate that they are having an affair. If they jump to that conclusion at even the slightest suggestion that you might be unfaithful, it could indicate that they have a guilty conscious from an affair of their own.

Much like cancer, affairs should be found early before they can do more damage. Knowing the signs of an affair can save you some heartbreak down the road. Check out this website for more information on a marriage annulment attorney in San Diego.

I've FIRED MY ATTORNEY But She Won't Release My FILES - What Should I do?

I want to fire my divorce attorney. She claims I owe her money for legal services, but I don't feel I owe her because I was double billed for some items... read more

How the Internet can Affect a Marriage

In the age of the internet, there are many things which can go awry. This includes causing problems in a marriage. There are many issues which can be both brought to light and hidden through use of the internet. Here are a few ways in which the internet can have an effect on a marriage.

1. Spying and Controlling
One of the main issues with being married on the internet is spying. When people put everything on their Facebook and Twitter, it’s very easy to know exactly what they are up to. However, it can leading to one partner spying on another in order to keep tabs on them. This is a controlling behavior which can lead to something worse.

2. Dating Websites for Married People
There are certain websites which are dedicated to helping people cheat on their spouse. Signing up for these sites is incredibly easy from any internet-enabled device. Your partner could be a member and you would never even know.

3. Anonymity can be Dangerous
Anything can happen on the internet. In an age where being anonymous happens at the click of a mouse, hiding things has never been easier. You can do whatever you want and, if you don’t use your real name, very few people can trace it back to you. It makes lying and cheating easier to do. This can have huge effects on a marriage.

There are many ways that the internet can affect a marriage. It can be a way to create a very damaging situation which can lead to divorce.

For more information on divorce mediation in San Diego, visit this website.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Breaking the Cycle of Violence and Abuse

Domestic violence is a cruel and viscous cycle. Rarely does this type of abuse simply come to an end. When a relationship turns violent, the afflicted person should seek help from an outside source. Only then can the cycle be broken.

Pointers for STEP-PARENTS (and Other "Non" Parents) Seeking Visitation With Their (Step) Children!

Current statistics declare that more than half of all Americans today have been, presently are, or will one day be members of one or more step-families during the course of their lifetimes… read more

Divorce Differences Around The World

There are numerous differences in divorce law across the world. Divorce in some countries requires more red tape than in others. In some nations, cultural conservatism inhibits divorce even when there are laws on the books allowing it. Below are a few of the major variances.

Rates of divorce

Not surprisingly, the frequency of divorce varies considerably from one country to the next. Divorce rates are generally highest in the West, with Belgium having the world’s highest divorce rate at 70 percent (with several other European countries hovering over 60 percent). Meanwhile, in the U.S., approximately 53 percent of marriages end in divorce. Japan, Sri Lanka, Chile and India have the world’s lowest rates of divorce. In some countries, such as the Philippines, divorce is actually legally prohibited. In Ireland, divorce is legal but greatly restricted. Irish couples can only end their marriage if they have already been separated for considerable time.

Who files?

In the United States, women initiate more than 70 percent of all divorces. However, this is not the case across the globe. In France, over 60 percent of all divorces are brought by both parties. Meanwhile, in some Middle Eastern countries, divorce is more often initiated by the husband; this is helped by laws that allow men to initiate no-fault divorces while requiring women to prove specific grounds for ending the marriage.

Other idiosyncrasies

Legal separation can be required before a divorce is granted, while in certain countries, such as Canada, separation doesn’t exist as a legal concept. There are also different domestic laws governing whether and in what circumstances citizens can get divorced while out of the country.

For more information on a divorce lawyer in Irvine, visit this website.

Options to End Marriage or Domestic Partnership

A divorce (also called “dissolution of marriage” or “dissolution of domestic partnership”) ends your marriage or domestic partnership (or both if you are both married and in a domestic partnership with your spouse)... read more

Parenting Plan and Mediation Library

This outlines the stages that our mediations typically follow for mediating divorce, RDP dissolutions, and other family law matters including custody... read more

Domestic Violence in Every Country

Most people understand that domestic violence is a serious problem, and it leads to the deaths of thousands of people every year. While women and children are usually the victims, there are rare cases of men being abused and put in danger by their intimate partners. The United States is certainly not the only country to be affected by this unspeakable tragedy. Every country in the world has reports of women being abused and even killed by their intimate partners. It may shock people to know that a high percentage of the women who are murdered every year, are murdered by their intimate partner.

Domestic Violence Laws

Unfortunately, there are currently around 40 countries worldwide that do not have any sort of laws prohibiting domestic violence. That is why there are currently organizations that are fighting very hard to protect the rights of women and children who reside in these countries. In the United States there are definitely laws prohibiting domestic violence, but unfortunately the only way that many cases can be resolved is if the victim will come forward. This can be an incredibly difficult thing to do for many victims because their abuser keeps them in a constant state of fear. It is important for people to know that there are resources that can be utilized that can enable someone to escape from these horrendous situations.

Family Law Attorney

Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence should contact a family law attorney immediately. These attorneys will be able to help the victims file for divorce, and get a restraining order if that is necessary.

For more information on a domestic violence lawyer in Newport Beach, check out this website today.

How to Recover From Domestic Violence

Each year thousands of people suffer at the hands of domestic violence. Even those in the grimmest of circumstances should not lose hope. There are resources to help victims escape violent relationships and seek recovery. Speak up and take action if you have suffered due to domestic abuse.

Top 3 Most Devastating Child Custody Cases

Child custody cases are often far from easy, but some are more difficult than most. Below are the three most devastating child custody cases in modern memory.

1. Woody Allen and Mia Farrow
Child custody cases between celebrities are often contentious and well publicized. However, the dispute between famed director Woody Allen and his former muse, actress Mia Farrow, is more tragic than most. In the early 1990s, during their battle over their three children, Farrow accused Allen of sexually abusing their young daughter Dylan. Though formal charges were never filed, this case continues to haunt Allen. This controversy recently made headlines again recently when the now-grown Dylan penned an op-ed discussing the alleged abuse. Her editorial drew considerable media attention as she publicly took aim at several celebrities who continued to work with Allen on his films.

2. Elian Gonzalez
A heartbreaking story, the child custody battle over young Elian Gonzalez garnered international headlines and increased political tension between the U.S. and Cuba. After his mother died at sea while fleeing Cuba for Florida, Elian was taken in by his uncle in Miami. However, his father in Cuba wanted him back. After months of controversy, the U.S. Attorney General ordered Elian returned to his father in Cuba, where he remains today.

3. Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
It wasn’t surprising when the pop princess announced her divorce from former backup dancer Kevin Federline in 2006. However, what followed afterward couldn’t help but inspire sympathy for their two young sons. Because of various mental issues and odd behavior, Spears lost custody of her sons in 2007 to Federline before finally gaining visitation rights after regaining her health.

To learn more about a child custody lawyer in Newport Beach, please visit this website.

Discreet California DIVORCE ANALYSIS Consults for Mediators and Out-of-State Attorneys

I have for a number of years made myself available to provide detailed second legal opinions involving a wide range of California family law and divorce topics... read more

Navigating the Minefields of Divorce From a Narcissist - One Path Out of the Swath of Destruction!

Help! I think I am married to a narcissist! He (she) is destroying my life, and the litigation and lawyer's fees seem endless... read more

Top 5 Most Influential Lawyers of All Times

For centuries, certain Americans have had an outsized role in shaping our legal system. Here is a look at the most influential lawyers throughout history.

1. Abraham Lincoln
Talk about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. Well before our country’s most storied president entered the White House, he opened his own shop as a self-taught country lawyer.

2. Thurgood Marshall
Arguably the most influential attorney of the past century, Thurgood Marshall played a formative role in transforming the nation’s law to fight racial injustice. A lawyer in the trenches of the NAACP, his biggest victory was Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which ended racial segregation in U.S. schools.

3. William Jennings Bryan
Thrice-defeated presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan never failed to captivate a nation throughout his career. Even though he was one of the most influential populists of his time, Bryan is perhaps best known for his anti-evolutionary stance during the 1920s Scopes monkey trial, as depicted in the film Inherit the Wind.

4. John Marshall
While chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Marshall established the precedent of judicial review, which allowed the federal courts to strike down laws enacted by Congress or actions implemented by the executive branch.

5. Johnnie Cochran
Who doesn’t know Johnnie Cochran? Perhaps more famous than influential, Cochran is best known for his larger-than-life representation of O.J. Simpson but also successfully represented well-known clients such as Michael Jackson and Sean “Puffy” Combs.

To learn more about a lawyer in Irvine, please visit this website.

Ending an Abusive Relationship

There are so many women who suffer due to domestic violence. Some of them report the abuse, but many choose to remain silent. If you are in an abusive relationship, speak up, take action, and bring the violence to an end.

The Top 3 Marriage Pitfalls

At the outset, every marriage is expected to be union for a lifetime, unconquerable thanks to the love shared by the two persons entering into it. Unfortunately, many partnerships suffer or ultimately fail for any number of reasons, including poor communication, intimacy issues, and financial disagreements. Analyze your relationship to ensure that your marriage isn’t headed down a perilous path due to these common pitfalls.

It may sound cliche, but communication truly is a two-way street. Without a fair exchange, there is bound to be conflict in any relationship. Communication relates to every type of exchange, from planning the family vacation together to simply asking how your spouse’s day was. In either case, failing to solicit input from your partner can result in an icy relationship over time.

Maintaining a healthy dialogue with your partner ensures that problems are addressed before they have time to evolve. It helps each individual feel that their opinions are valued, which is important whether you’re discussing your child’s education or just trying to figure out what to watch on television that night. Marriage is a vow of equality, which begins with equal-footing in terms of communication.

On the matter of finances, it’s important to state that money should not represent the be-all end-all of any relationship. However, it is inarguably a vital factor in any couple’s lifestyle and general priorities. Failing to discuss short- and long-term financial plans or ambitions is a recipe for disaster, often resulting in similar feelings to those partners who aren’t communicating properly: disregard, disrespect, and disinterest.

You and your spouse should be candid when it comes to income, savings, and future expenses in order to avoid being blindsided by unexpected financial obligations. When money gets tight, don’t play the blame game—marriage is about supporting one another and striving for a better tomorrow.

Last but not least is the discussion of intimacy. Maintaining a healthy sex life is not just good for individuals, it’s a part of the essential glue that holds any happy marriage together. While each couple will have varying needs, the important thing is to be sure that you’re making yourself available to your partner. Not every evening has to result in romantic fireworks, but the potential should be there.

Small things also go a long way when it comes to intimate behavior. Give your partner a sensuous backrub, a foot massage, or just an affectionate kiss or some kind of gesture in passing once in a while. The effects will strength your physical bond whether your sex schedule is nightly, weekly, monthly, or none of the above. For more information on a divorce lawyer in Irvine, please visit this website for more information.