Date of Separation California: How Family Code 70 Defines It and Why It Matters
In California, the date of separation is the date a complete and final break in the marital relationship occurred. Under Family Code section 70, that break requires two things: one spouse told the other spouse they intended to end the marriage, and that spouse’s conduct was consistent with that intent. For Orange County spouses and […]
March 20, 2026
What to Know Before You Hire a Family Law Attorney If you're looking for a family law attorney, here's what you need to know right away: The 5 most important things before hiring a family law attorney: Scope of services - Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, paternity, adoptions, and domestic violence protection orders.
March 20, 2026
What Is an Application for Divorce and Where Do You Get One Online? The application for divorce you need depends on where you live.
March 19, 2026
What Are the Contested Divorce Steps? A Quick Answer First If you're facing a contested divorce, here are the core steps you'll go through: Filing - One spouse files a petition for divorce with the court Service - The other spouse is formally served with divorce papers and has 30 days to respond Financial Disclosures - Both spouses exchange mandatory financial documents Discovery - Each side gathers evidence through interrogatories, depositions, and document requests Temporary Orders - A judge may set interim rules on custody, support, and use of assets Mediation - Spouses attempt to reach a settlement with a neutral third party Trial - If no settlement is reached, a judge hears evidence and makes final rulings Final Judgment - The court issues a decree that legally ends the marriage Most cases settle before ever reaching trial — but the process can still take anywhere from 6 months to well over a year.
March 17, 2026
Why Finding the Best Lawyers for Family Law Can Change Everything The best lawyers for family law are board-certified specialists with proven trial skills, strong peer recognition, and deep experience in divorce, child custody, support, and property division.
March 16, 2026
What You Need to Know About California Divorce Forms California divorce forms are the official Judicial Council documents required to legally end a marriage or domestic partnership in the state.
March 14, 2026
What Is the California Legal Separation Process? The california legal separation process is a formal court procedure that lets married couples live apart, divide property, and set support and custody terms — all while staying legally married.
March 13, 2026
What You Need to Know About Alimony in Divorce (Before Anything Else) Alimony in divorce is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to the other after — or sometimes during — a separation or divorce.
March 12, 2026
What Is Legal Separation in the State of California? Legal separation in the state of California is a court-recognized process that lets married couples live apart, divide property, and set support arrangements — while remaining legally married.
March 11, 2026
Divorce Document Filing: What You Need to Know Before You Start Divorce document filing is the process of submitting the legal paperwork that officially starts your divorce case with the court.
March 10, 2026
When Life Changes, Your Child Support Order Can Too A child support modification lawyer can help you legally change an existing support order when your financial situation — or your child's needs — have shifted significantly since the original order was made.
March 09, 2026
