• posted: Mar. 30, 2024
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law
• crucial documents,  legal requirements,  family law attorney

When a stepparent decides to adopt their stepchild, it signifies a deeper commitment to the family unit. However, the legal process of stepparent adoption can be complex and daunting. This Read More

• posted: Feb. 29, 2024
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law,  Divorce
• Divorce,  child custody attorney,  birdnesting

Divorce brings a myriad of challenges, especially when children are involved. California parents exploring custody arrangements may come across the innovative concept of birdnesting. In this arrangement, the marital home Read More

• posted: Dec. 30, 2023
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law,  Divorce
• premarital agreement,  prenup,  inheritance rights,  debt division

Prenuptial agreements are sometimes perceived as cold, calculating contracts that undermine the very essence of marriage and commitment. However, these agreements can serve as a valuable tool, not just for Read More

• posted: Nov. 15, 2023
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law,  Divorce
• alimony,  10 years,  standard of living

Alimony consists of monthly payments designed to provide financial support after a divorce for a spouse with an established need. However, alimony is not a lifelong entitlement. In California, judges Read More

• posted: Aug. 15, 2023
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law,  Divorce
• community property,  separate property,  pension plans,  retirement accounts

One of the most important aspects of divorce is property division. Spouses have joint rights to certain assets as well as joint responsibility for certain debts. As such, marital assets Read More

• posted: Jul. 30, 2023
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law
• stepchild adoption,  adoption,  parental rights

In California, as in most states, a stepparent relationship — formed by marrying a child’s biological parent — conveys no legal rights. The stepparent has no authority to make decisions Read More

• posted: Jun. 15, 2023
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law,  Divorce
• child custody,  visitation,  poor parenting

California courts generally favor shared child custody arrangements after a divorce, since children tend to benefit from a continuing relationship with both parents. However, an award of custody must be Read More

• posted: Feb. 15, 2023
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law
• children's preference,  child custody,  visitation

In California, child custody and visitation arrangements are decided by a family court judge. In the decision process, the child’s preference to spend more time with one parent or the Read More

• posted: Nov. 30, 2022
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law
• kinship adoption,  adoption fee

People adopt their relatives for a variety of reasons. A child might have been orphaned. Or the child’s natural parents might be imprisoned, institutionalized or incapable of properly raising the Read More

• posted: Feb. 17, 2022
• Albert Lavezzo
• Family Law,  Divorce
• retirement plans,  divorce,  qualified domestic relations order

Dividing retirement benefits in a California divorce can be complex. Under state law, retirement assets accumulated during the course of the marriage are considered community property and subject to distribution Read More