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Torrance Family Law Blog

Prenups gaining popularity among general population

Valentine's Day was last week, which means there has been a surge in the number of engaged couples in California and the rest of the country. In fact, a survey by American Express estimated that as many as 4 million couples would get engaged over the holiday this year.

Many of these couples will soon begin planning their weddings, but one other thing they may want to consider is a prenuptial agreement, an article from Reuters explained. A prenup not only makes dividing up assets much easier in a divorce, but also forces the couple to talk realistically about finances.

The importance of an accurate financial affidavit in divorce

At the very beginning of a divorce, both parties must fill out paperwork that supplies the court with financial information. In California, this document is known as a financial affidavit, and it can greatly influence the outcome of a divorce, as a recent article from Forbes explained.

The problem is that many people aren't quite sure about all of the questions asked on the financial affidavit, so they guess or leave things blank. This is especially common in marriages where one spouse handled the finances while the other spouse was left in the dark.

Cellphones providing evidence in many family law cases

Years ago, it was hard to gather evidence to be used in a California family law case unless a private investigator was hired. However, today, plenty of evidence can often be found on a device that is carried around by just about everyone: a cellphone.

Whether it's hateful text messages or calling out an ex on a lie, many quarreling couples are using evidence gathered on their cellphones to help sway judges in family law cases. It might just make some people think twice about what they send to their exes.

An underwater home can stall your California divorce

When going through a California divorce, it used to be that a couple's home was their most valuable asset. But as home values have steadily declined over the last year throughout Torrance and the rest of the United States, many couples are now underwater on mortgages and the home has become their biggest liability.

Purchasing or selling a home is already a very emotional event for most, whether because it is the start to a new life or the end of a prior one. When going through a divorce, simply listing a home can reopen wounds related to the split and cause even more trouble for a divorcing couple.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month

Domestic violence comes in a lot of forms, including physical violence, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, threats and stalking. Unfortunately, all of these issues affect the lives of many people in California.

Sadly, domestic violence is most common in intimate relationships. That is why February has been declared the commemorative month for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention. One goal is to take away the belief that domestic violence is a private, family matter.

California judge approves Katy Perry, Russell Brand divorce

This week, a Los Angeles family law judge approved the divorce settlement of pop superstar Katy Perry and British actor Russell Brand. However, the divorce will not be finalized until July 14 because of the six-month waiting period required by California law.

The couple was able to reach a private settlement on all matters to their divorce less than six weeks after the breakup was announced. Brand filed for divorce from Perry on December 30, citing irreconcilable differences.

The universal effects of divorce on children

It's safe to assume that divorce is not really a celebratory event for anyone, but then again every family is different and some traverse through the process more smoothly than others.

However, according to the executive director of Kids' Turn, a nonprofit organization located in California that provides support for children and families going through a divorce, there are universal challenges all parents face, no matter how effortless the transition is seemingly going.

Man sues biological father of girl he raised as his own

In California, the courts have ruled that men are not allowed to sue for past child support if they discover they are not the biological father of a child they have been helping to raise.

This legal precedent is based on the public policy interest of protecting the children involved. The concern is that it is not in the best interest of children, and could potentially place them at risk of harm, if a father is allowed to be compensated for child support expenses for a child that was not actually his.

Insurance matters should be considered during a divorce

When a woman was told by her clinic that she was no longer covered by her medical insurance, she learned the hard way how insurance can be pulled right out from under someone after a divorce. This is because many couples continue to rely on one spouse's insurance benefits, typically provided by an employer.

In some cases, it is possible for families to continue with the same insurance policy after a divorce, with the ex-spouse remaining a dependent on the policy holder's account. However, this may become a trap for the unsuspecting, if, like in this case, the policyholder allows the insurance policy to lapse.

California divorce or legal separation?

When a married couple makes the decision to end their relationship in California, the most common route is through divorce whether contested or not. However, there are some instances where divorce is simply not a viable option due to financial, health or other reasons. What are some of the most common reasons and what is the alternative?

In this lowered economy, finances are a major concern for most. When before, selling the house and going separate ways was an easy decision, now it has become more complicated. Many homes are underwater -- worth less than owed on the mortgage -- and selling is not an option or some couples simply do not have the funds to keep up two separate residences. When this happens, some couples choose to remain living under the same roof, but this could affect alimony in many states.

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