Art by Jesse Link Have you, your spouse, or a dependent received a COVID-19 diagnosis? Are you struggling to cover your costs due to a coronavirus-related furlough, lay off, reduction in work hours, inability to work for want of child care or forced business closure? … [Read More...]
Who will make health care and end of life decisions for you if you’re infected by coronavirus during separation and divorce?
"The moment of death, like that of birth, is our time of greatest need. The beginning and the end of life are characterized by vulnerability, bewilderment, and rich opportunity. In both cases we are stepping into new territory—the world of the living or the world of the dead. … [Read More...]
California Divorce Court Closures and Coronavirus Updates
The California Judicial Council is closely monitoring the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, and has advised the courts to follow the guidance of the Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the virus. As of … [Read More...]
Can you Find Understanding Through Conflict in Divorce? An Interview with California Mediator Gary Friedman
After graduating from the prestigious Brown University in 1969 and working as a litigator for five years, the formidable young trial attorney Gary Friedman felt, in some ways, helpless. Gary had become a lawyer to help people, but found his work was really a form of manipulating … [Read More...]
How to improve the odds of reaching divorce settlements in mediation
M's husband seemed a reasonable man, but hired a formidable family law trial attorney. Nonetheless, M and I, and M and his attorneys met informally to discuss settlement. As is par for the course, the attorneys took turns raising relevant facts and legal issues, making legal … [Read More...]
Asking your spouse to use divorce mediation
Even if you're fighting like cats or your spouse is a narcissist, don't throw away any legitimate opportunities to settle your issues through divorce mediation. Written agreements signed in mediation are enforceable as court judgments under California Code of … [Read More...]
Why rely on divorce laws?
Did you read family (divorce) laws before your wedding and pour over caselaw and codes during your marriage or domestic partnership? If not, … [Read More...]
10 Commitments to Improve your Confidence During Divorce
Commitment is a moment-to-moment process. You need to do it daily, hourly, continually. ~ Michael Toms and Justine Willis Toms Getting … [Read More...]
How blue is too blue? Depression and divorce
Even under the best circumstances, divorce can be quite stressful. Often men and women are faced with practical concerns such as selling a … [Read More...]
Five Steps for a Soul-centered Divorce
Divorce can be one of the worst experiences of your life. Each and every day, you ride waves of fear, doubt, stress, anxiety, insomnia, and … [Read More...]
On Intentional Marriages
Marrying or divorcing a trust fund beneficiary in California?
Lisa and Jean had fairy tale weddings and lived luxury lifestyles throughout their marriages. Both lived in multi-million dollar homes in Napa and San Francisco, drove Porsches, … [Read More...]
3 reasons every woman wants a prenuptial agreement
I'm a divorced woman and a divorce lawyer who believes in love, romance, and lifelong relationships. I also believe there are only four reasons to legally marry, but I know the … [Read More...]
Brave Women, don’t be scared of prenuptial agreements
Ninety nine percent of the people who contact me about prenuptial agreements are men. And over the course of my twenty-five years of practice as an attorney, only two women have … [Read More...]