Family Law Blog

You’ve poured everything into building your business. Long nights, personal savings, calculated risks. Now you’re planning to get married, and the last thing on your mind is what happens if things don’t work out. But here’s what most entrepreneurs don’t realize: California’s community property laws can put your company at serious risk during a divorce. […]

Most couples entering collaborative divorce focus on keeping things civil and avoiding courtroom drama. That’s understandable. But there’s another aspect of your settlement that deserves just as much attention: taxes. The financial decisions you make during your collaborative divorce won’t just affect you this year. They’ll follow you for decades. Understanding these tax implications now […]

You’ve made the decision to end your marriage. You filed the papers. Now your spouse is refusing to sign anything, and you’re sitting there thinking you’re stuck. Fortunately, California divorce law doesn’t work that way. California Doesn’t Require Both Spouses To Agree This is one of the most important things to understand about divorce in […]

If you receive stock options as part of your compensation package, they’re likely one of your most valuable assets. When your marriage ends, these options don’t just disappear, they get divided. California treats stock options acquired during marriage as community property, which means both spouses have a claim to them. It doesn’t matter whose name […]

California family courts don’t take domestic violence allegations lightly. If there’s evidence of domestic violence, courts operate under what’s called a rebuttable presumption. That means the law assumes it’s harmful to give custody to an abusive parent. It’s not impossible to overcome, but the burden falls squarely on the accused parent to prove otherwise. This […]

California’s community property laws treat businesses differently than you might expect. Any business interest you acquired or grew during your marriage typically becomes marital property. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a sole proprietorship, holding partnership interests, or managing corporate shares. Courts won’t just split your business down the middle. They’ll determine what portion belongs […]

For most couples, retirement accounts represent the largest asset they own besides their home. When your marriage ends, these accounts don’t just disappear from the property division conversation, they’re right in the middle of it. Understanding how California treats retirement savings matters. Community Property Rules In California Here’s how it works. California follows community property […]

Spousal support in California isn’t a one-size-fits-all arrangement. You’re actually dealing with two completely different types, and knowing which one applies to you can change everything about your divorce strategy and financial planning. Working with a Stanislaus County family lawyer ensures that you are best equipped to handle these situations. Understanding Temporary Spousal Support When […]

California law considers inheritance separate property. It belongs only to the spouse who received it, whether that’s cash, real estate, investment accounts, or your grandmother’s jewelry collection. Unlike most assets you acquire during marriage, inheritance doesn’t automatically fall under community property rules. The catch is that what you do with that inheritance after you receive […]

When you’re facing divorce, one of the first questions you’ll encounter is whether yours will be contested or uncontested. These terms determine everything from how long your divorce takes to how much it costs. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve handled both types in Stanislaus County, and understanding the difference helps you know what you’re walking into. […]