Blog Posts in April, 2013

Federal Child Support Enforcement Tools

If you are the custodial parent of one or more minor children, you may be wondering how child support will be handled after your Pasadena divorce . The federal government has created several sophisticated databases in order to help parents receive the support they need, even when they are receiving support from one or more non-custodial parents who live in a different state. The Uniform Interstate ...

Obtaining a Child Custody Evaluation

If you and your ex can't agree on a child custody arrangement, a child custody evaluation may be required for you to get a divorce in Pasadena . The evaluator assigned to your case will be an independent expert. He will not represent you or your ex. The evaluator's job is to be a neutral observer who can determine what is in the best interests of the children. Your lawyer will brief you on what to ...

Emancipation and Child Support

Pasadena child support payments will normally end when a child either turns 18, graduates from high school, or turns 19. In some circumstances, however, support payments may end earlier. An emancipated minor is a child under the age of 18 who has petitioned the court to have the same basic legal rights as an adult. The court can allow a child to become legally emancipated if he or she meets the ...

What Is Split Custody?

After a Pasadena divorce , a couple may decide that split custody is the best way for the family to move forward. Split custody arrangements are those in which a couple has multiple children and the children each live with a different parent. For example, you may retain custody of your daughter and your ex-spouse may retain custody of your son. Typically, judges prefer to keep siblings together ...

How to Avoid Being Overcharged by Your Divorce Lawyer

When going through a Pasadena divorce, the last thing you want to discover is that your attorney is over billing for his services. Sometimes, if your case turns out to be more complicated than what was first expected, your attorney fees may be higher because of the added work that is involved. However, your attorney should always be able to explain the additional charges. If you are seeing charges ...

Signs of Attorney Misconduct

For many people, going through a Pasadena divorce is the first time they've ever required an attorney's services. Since they are unfamiliar with the practice of law, they often have trouble recognizing the signs of attorney misconduct. Sexual relations between an attorney and his client are a serious ethical breach that is expressly prohibited by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in its ...

Negotiating a House Buyout After Your Divorce

If you feel strongly about keeping the marital home after filing for divorce in Pasadena and you have the financial means to do so, negotiating a house buyout with your former spouse could be an option to consider. A buyout occurs when one spouse purchases the other's interest in the property. A buyout can occur as one lump sum payment or as payments made over time. To finance a buyout, it is ...

Reasons to Consider Firing Your Divorce Attorney

Hiring a great Pasadena divorce attorney is the best thing you can do for yourself when you're in the process of ending your marriage. A skilled attorney will help you obtain a fair settlement as quickly as possible. If you're in the middle of a divorce and you're starting to feel like things aren't working out between you and your attorney, remember that you're ultimately the one in control. Even ...