Child custody remains a family affair for Josh Lucas and ex-wife
Living in the Hollywood spotlight, it can be hard to hold a marriage together. When one actor and his ex-wife split in 2014, they chose to adopt a co-parenting arrangement known as “bird’s nesting” after their divorce and child custody hearings. In California, more parents are opting for unconventional ways to parent their children after a divorce. […]
During the divorce process, how should income taxes be filed?
During the process of ending a marriage, is it best to separate finances or file taxes together as a married couple? According to the IRS, couples in the process of divorce but have not yet finalized are still eligible to file taxes together as a married couple. If filing separately, both must either take the standard deductions […]
Child custody rights terminated because of addiction
Drug addiction is a severe epidemic, and children are usually the casualties. More and more children are removed from their parent’s custody because of substance abuse. Experts say heroin is the most common drug of choice, making it the most difficult to treat, and the pain from withdrawal often has serious complications. In California, child custody rights […]
New laws may affect alimony and divorce outcome
Ending a marriage is rarely a pleasant experience. With new changes coming in the form of scrapping the current alimony tax laws, negotiations could get even more ugly. In California, the change in tax incentives for alimony payments could have lasting consequences for other payments such as child support that is often calculated together during […]
Preparing for divorce after age 50
The dissolution of marriage at any age can be unnerving and ultimately affect one’s thought process. Divorce is never easy and often causes increased stress and can take an emotional toll on a person. Being well organized and researching the state laws as they apply to divorce can help prepare for the often-tumultuous times ahead. In California, […]
Domestic violence is a growing medical concern
Reports show that one in four women will be the victim of some type of physical violence caused by a partner. Victims sustain injuries severe enough to warrant medical attention, but rarely do they volunteer the reason behind their injuries. Patients often miss out on the help they may need because of the lack of […]
Domestic violence is often unreported and under recognized
Violence among intimate partners is a common problem that often goes unrecognized and unreported across the country. A study revealed that in addition to routine screening procedures, radiologists could assist in identifying those who suffer from domestic violence. In California, hospital staff can play a significant role in uncovering abuse. Doctors assume an essential role looking […]
Spousal benefits from Social Security after a divorce
A substantial part of income for retirees comes from Social Security benefits. After years of paying into the program, there is no reason to settle for less than the highest amount one can get. Sometimes, one spouse may receive a higher benefit than the other. In California and other states, ex-wives or husbands may be […]
Advanced financial planning is essential before divorce
January has been deemed the most popular month for married couples to split up. Records show that divorce filings are one third higher in January than in other months because couples do not want to ruin holiday celebrations. In California and other states, the first week in January usually sees a substantial uptake in divorce inquiries. Most couples […]
New parenting bill may add a twist to child custody
When couples decide to end their relationship, it often involves children and a parenting agreement. For years, American culture dictated that mothers were naturally awarded primary custody and fathers were the every-other-weekend parents. In California and many other states, new shared-parenting bills could change child custody and visitation agreements. This new trend of co-parenting will encourage shared-parenting […]