Challenges of Identifying and Valuing Marital Assets in a Divorce
- posted: Aug. 15, 2023
- Family Law,  Divorce
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
How Do You Go About Adopting a Stepchild in California?
- posted: Jul. 30, 2023
- Family Law
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
How the Historic California Rains Affect Home Sales
- posted: Jul. 15, 2023
- Real Estate
Since the beginning of 2023, California has experienced rainfall levels so high that large areas of the state have been deluged. The central coastal region has not seen this much Read More
What Property Can You Keep When Applying for Medicaid?
- posted: Jun. 30, 2023
- Estate Planning
Medicaid is a federally funded insurance program that pays for medical services, including long-term nursing care, for individuals and families and families in financial need. In California, Medicaid is administered Read More
5 Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Chances for Child Custody
- posted: Jun. 15, 2023
- Family Law,  Divorce
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
How Does the State Helmet Law Affect a Motorcycle Rider's Injury Claim?
- posted: May 30, 2023
- Motorcycle Accidents
California law requires everyone riding a motorcycle, scooter or motorized bike to wear a helmet. In an accident, bikers are much more likely to suffer bodily injuries than occupants of Read More
Understanding California’s “Just Cause” Protections Against Eviction
- posted: May 15, 2023
- Landlord-Tenant
California law restricts a landlord’s ability to terminate a residential lease, evict the tenant and retake possession of the property. When a tenant has lawfully occupied the residential property for Read More
Perils of Relying on POD and TOD Account Designations in Estate Planning
- posted: Apr. 30, 2023
- Estate Planning
Customers of banks and other financial institutions can opt to have their accounts include “pay on death” (POD) or “transfer on death” (TOD) provisions, which direct that money or securities Read More
Identifying Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident
- posted: Apr. 15, 2023
- Personal Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is severe harm resulting from a heavy blow or forceful jolt to the head, with or without a piercing of the skull. Although some symptoms Read More
Tips for Negotiating a California Residential Real Estate Contract
- posted: Mar. 30, 2023
- Real Estate
In a purchase and sale of residential real estate, both buyers and sellers must be diligent in making sure that their respective interests are protected. Real estate agents typically use Read More
Proving Fault in a California Automobile Negligence Lawsuit
- posted: Mar. 15, 2023
- Personal Injury
California law provides for determining liability in automobile accidents based on a pure comparative negligence system. That is, a party who is at fault for the collision is responsible for Read More
How a Living Trust Can Simplify or Avoid Probate
- posted: Feb. 28, 2023
- Estate Planning
One of the goals of estate planning is to pass on property to one’s intended beneficiaries without legal complications. Many estates must go through probate in a local or regional Read More
How Children’s Preferences Affect California Child Custody Cases
- posted: Feb. 15, 2023
- Family Law
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
What Are the Rules for Adopting a Relative in California?
- posted: Nov. 30, 2022
- Family Law
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
Common Real Property Disputes and Solutions
- posted: Nov. 15, 2022
- Real Estate
Real estate purchase and sale arrangements are typically complex and involve large amounts of money changing hands, which together can provide fertile ground for disputes. When conflicts arise, creative solutions Read More
California Eliminating Asset Test for Medicaid Eligibility
- posted: Oct. 30, 2022
- Estate Planning
Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California) is a publicly funded healthcare program that provides medical services to the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and certain low-income individuals and families. Until recently, Read More