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California Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for California on
Q: Does a grandparent who has been accused have a right to due process in family law?

Parents are the ones under investigation. However, Grandparent has been accused of failure to protect. Doesn't grandparent have a right to due process, especially if they could be potential guardians? Grandparent has been silenced and the accusers word has become fact even though it is false.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

Yes, as a grandparent, you do have a right to due process in family law matters, especially when accused of something like failure to protect. Due process means you should have the opportunity to be heard, to present your side of the story, and to defend yourself against the accusations. It is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: Mom is keeping the kids from calling dad between visitation after they had agreed in court, they can call.

Dad provided a cell phone so children can call dad and mom took it away. He continues to document daily and turned in 2 months worth text to clerk for his next Aug custody date his current Lawyer is missing in action.

Mom came to door pounding on the door creating drama when their a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

It's really tough when you're trying to maintain contact with your kids and obstacles keep popping up. Since there's already a court order allowing the children to call you, document every instance where this is being blocked. Keep detailed records, as these will be crucial for your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Employment Law and Family Law for California on
Q: Am I being discriminated against if my Registered Domestic Partners job health plan makes him change his plan if I join?

I reside in California and my domestic partner would like to add me to his job of 30 years health insurance plan. We were told he would have to change his plan to an HMO he has a PPO now. I am pretty sure if we were married he would not have to change his plan. As he had been married before, and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

Under California law, health insurance plans provided by employers must treat registered domestic partners the same as spouses. If your partner's employer is requiring a change from a PPO to an HMO plan for adding you, it might be worth checking the terms of the insurance policy and the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Can an attorney place a lien on contested property in California?

What if that lien, after a court order to be removed immediately, stands for an additional five months no matter the excuse [in this case simple refusal]?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

In California, an attorney can place a lien on contested property through a mechanism called an attorney's lien. This lien allows the attorney to secure payment for legal services rendered. However, the lien must be validly placed, and the attorney must follow proper procedures.

If a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: How to expedite divorce process while spouse and her attorney delaying the responses and not very communicative ?

My spouse filed for dvro, divorce in Aug 2023. Dvro is granted after completing the trial in Mar 2024. Wife is having child custody and i am doing remote supervised visitations.

But after that, spouse and her attorney are not responding much on the divorce case. after multiple requests,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

To expedite the divorce process in California, you need to take a proactive approach. First, document every instance where your spouse and her attorney have been unresponsive. This includes keeping copies of emails, letters, and any other communication attempts. Having a clear record will be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for California on
Q: Are non payments of court ordered child support arrears payments contemptible?

When I file contempt for 3 years of child support in CA (36 counts), am I allowed to also file 36 counts on non payment of court ordered arrears also? There is a 3 month acceleration clause in paperwork.

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answered on Jul 22, 2024

Yes, you can file for contempt for non-payment of court-ordered child support arrears in California. Each missed payment can be treated as a separate count of contempt, similar to missed child support payments. Therefore, if there are 36 counts of missed child support payments, you can also include... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for California on
Q: Filing contempt in California question.

When I file contempt in CA for non payments of court ordered child and spousal support, should I include the proof in my filing also (NCP 1099's) ?

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answered on Jul 22, 2024

When filing for contempt in California for non-payment of court-ordered child and spousal support, you should include proof of the non-payments in your filing. This proof can consist of documents such as 1099 forms, payment records, or any other financial statements showing the non-compliance.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for California on
Q: Is refiling contempt allowed?

If I filed contempt for non-payments of child support in California, and then asked the judge to take it off of the calendar because an agreement had been made. Am I allowed to refile since NCP failed to adhere to the agreement?

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answered on Jul 21, 2024

Yes, you are allowed to refile for contempt in California if the non-custodial parent (NCP) failed to adhere to the agreement. California law permits you to take action again if the other party did not follow through on their obligations.

When you previously asked the judge to take the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for California on
Q: I have no legal/physical custody. 1hr/wk visitation that I can't get. 6yrs+ 0Contact due to other party. Served chldsprt

I've had no job for close to 8 years now and even though I'm looking for work and applying regularly for postings I have yet to be given work apart from once where I was quickly let go due to negative background check info. I've been married now for 8 years and have 2 other children... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

Under California law, you may be able to modify or even suspend your child support payments due to your current financial situation. To begin, you should file a motion with the court to request a modification of your child support order. In your motion, explain your lack of employment, the length... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: I’ve been married 38 yrs. My husband has all assets in his name including bank. What do I do? Where do I start.

I have little to no money. I do not receive much social security. $400 month. My name is on our property along with his but that is all. Our property is paid off and we have no debt. My husband collects money from the V.A. Monthly plus extra because we are married. He recently had our Federal taxes... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Under California law, you are entitled to a fair share of the marital assets, even if they are in your husband's name. Community property laws dictate that assets acquired during the marriage are generally considered joint property, meaning you have rights to a portion of them. This includes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: Can I move out of state if I have sole custody

My child father have supervise visit and have to do other tasks in order to visit our son for more than an hour. Since all he does is pay child support and does not visit can I move out of state without it being an issue with the court system?

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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Under California law, if you have sole custody, you generally have the right to move out of state with your child. However, you must notify the other parent and the court of your intention to relocate. The other parent has the right to contest the move if they believe it will negatively affect... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: If I am renting and a judge orders the house I rent to be sold after a divorce in california, can they make me move out

Can they make me move out immediately if I have already paid the rent?

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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Under California law, if a judge orders the house you rent to be sold after a divorce, you do not have to move out immediately, even if you have already paid the rent. As a tenant, you have rights that protect you from sudden eviction.

The new owner of the property must honor your existing...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for California on
Q: Is there a legal way to find out if a domestic partner of 13+ years working undercover ?

I heard comments from the community.

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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Finding out if your domestic partner of 13+ years is working undercover can be a delicate matter. You might consider discussing your concerns directly with your partner, as open communication can often resolve uncertainties. If your partner is indeed working undercover, they may be limited in what... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for California on
Q: What do I do when my 14 year old won’t get on the plane to go back to his father? California case.

Today he found out that, even though his father promised him, he could live here and go to school and will not be with his sister anymore. His father sought to take him back and the judge ruled in his favor on case las (burgess , California “detriment”) As soon as he found out, he destroyed the... View More

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answered on Jul 19, 2024

Under California law, when a child refuses to return to a parent as ordered by the court, it's essential to address the situation calmly and legally. Since the court has ruled in favor of the father, you are legally obligated to comply with the court's decision. If your son is refusing to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Regarding "client trust accounts" set up in divorce situation by one attorney representing the other.

I'm in middle of divorce. Mediation fell through. My spouse has an attorney now advising her but not officially representing with substitution of attorney with the courts. I am not represented. The attorney representing her proposed moving the funds from the sale of our family home from escrow... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 19, 2024

Under California law, the proposal to move the funds from the sale of your family home into a "client trust account" managed by your spouse's attorney raises concerns about impartiality and security. Client trust accounts are typically used to hold funds on behalf of a client, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: Let's say someone was hit with a temporary domestic violence restraining order by false accusations but the restrained..

person discovered why the protected person actually filed the TRO. The discovery is that the protected person realized they would be in hot water if they did not have an excuse for not showing up to work on time or at all the particular day they filed and went ahead and called into work claiming... View More

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answered on Jul 19, 2024

Under California law, you can potentially gather information from the employer of the person who filed the TRO to understand if they called in with claims related to domestic violence. One way to do this is through a subpoena, which is a legal document that can compel the employer to provide... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Filing for divorce after living in another country for over a year.

Wanted to file for divorce. Originally a California Resident, but lived in Mexico for over a year. She is in a mental health facility, and had taken the children and CPS had to remove the children from her. She tried to get me arrested with false accusations. I want to get divorced as soon as... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 12, 2024

You will need to meet the residency requirements in order to file for divorce (i.e. six months.) False accusations, CPS involvement and mental health issues don't change that requirement. There may be options depending on all the facts.

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: I will be filing for divorce in a couple of weeks. When should we separate our finances?

Our separation date on form is March 2024

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 8, 2024

Unfortunately, it is impossible to provide you any guidance. You have determine your separation date was in March and you will be filing for divorce next week. That's not much to go on. You both have an obligation to protect your property and disclose its whereabouts until everything is final.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: What is rule 65 in divorce?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 3, 2024

Rule 65 typically refers to a federal rule of civil procedure related to injunctions and restraining orders. However, in the context of divorce in California, there isn't a specific "Rule 65" that's commonly referenced.

In California divorce proceedings, there are some...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Education Law and Civil Rights for California on
Q: Hi, Im trying to hire an attorney for a Cross Complaint Case that is made against me and my family

My son was in an altercation at school with a student that was calling my son racial slurs. My son lost his temper and him and the boy got into a fight. The boy family is taking the school and me and family to court claiming my son attacked the boy. The boy continued to call my son racial slurs... View More

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answered on Jul 2, 2024

Based on the situation you've described, here are some steps you might consider taking:

1. Seek legal representation: It's crucial to find an attorney who specializes in both family law and civil litigation, preferably with experience in cases involving minors and school-related...
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