Throughout the course of a high net worth divorce, the finances, assets and property of each spouse will be examined and evaluated in the process as the parties move toward determination of a settlement and possibly alimony and/or child support payment amounts. Among...
Results-Oriented Family Law Representation
Month: December 2014
No Contact Orders
When the termination of parental rights is at issue, and in some extreme instances of parental discord that can revolve around a divorce, it may become necessary for a parent (or the Court) to obtain what is known as a No Contact Civil Restraining Order. (When...
International adoptions and California law
When families welcome a child through adoption, all the legal, financial and emotional ordeals, so to speak, are rewarded by the end result: a new family member being the outcome. The process can be long and difficult for adoptions within the United States; when...
Social media and divorce
Social media has, for many of us, become a significant a part of our daily lives. Many people refer to, and depend upon, social media several times each day to keep them informed about other people, those close to them such as family and friends, and others with whom...
Uncovering hidden assets
In previous blog posts we have addressed prenups, postnups, and the legally recognized fiduciary duty between spouses in a marriage. For high net worth couples that decide to divorce, the process of reaching a mutually agreed-upon settlement can be complex, even when...
Grandparents’ rights and DNA testing
Suppose a young man and woman who do not have an ongoing relationship conceive a child. The mother and her family are raising the child. The father has refused to begin a relationship or to even legally acknowledge the baby. However, his father, the child’s...
Why “gray divorce” is booming
“Gray divorce” is a term that came into use n the early 21st century. It refers to divorce among people aged 50 and over. Books and studies on the subject have been published, and according to the AARP, the rate of 50+ divorces appears to be increasing. Is grey...
Children, divorce, and court appearances
California law recognizes that in some instances, a child or children must appear in court during divorce proceedings. Sometimes they must even testify. However, state statutes describe in detail the rules and limitations regarding the treatment of child witnesses...
Planning your estate plan
A recent Forbes article alerted readers to the professionals known as “estate planning aggregators” and how they offer a plethora of services to people interested in managing their assets with an eye to estate planning. Many people fortunate enough to own substantial...
When is a $1 Billion divorce settlement not enough?
Recently Harold Hamm, an oil company executive considered the wealthiest man in Oklahoma, was ordered by an Oklahoma judge to pay his ex-spouse, Sue Ann Hamm, nearly one billion dollars in cash and assets. This divorce settlement ranks among the largest in U.S....