Introduction Every day, thousands of Californian litigants walk into a family court hearing or trial without an attorney. Some do it by choice. Most do it because of the expense associated with hiring an attorney. Whatever the reason, if you’re considering representing yourself, you will definitely not be alone. I spent more than seven years…
What Is Discovery? Discovery is the formal legal process by which parties in a lawsuit obtain information from each other and from third parties before trial. In California family law cases, discovery is governed by the Family Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the California Rules of Court. It is one of the most…
The Move-Away Issue One of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues in California family law is when a custodial parent wants to relocate with the children to a different city, state, or country. These cases, known as move-away cases, pit the relocating parent’s right to move against the other parent’s right to maintain a…
The Statewide Uniform Guideline California uses a mathematical formula to calculate child support, known as the statewide uniform guideline. Established under Family Code section 4055, the guideline is designed to ensure that children receive a level of support consistent with both parents’ incomes and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. The…
Traditional Full Service Representation When most people think about hiring a lawyer for a family law matter, they picture what is known as full-service representation. Under this approach, an attorney handles all aspects of the case. The lawyer prepares every document, makes every court appearance, conducts all negotiations, and is responsible for all case-related correspondence…
