what to know about california divorce cdm version 100215...what to know about california divorce 2...

WhatToKnowAboutCaliforniaDivorce

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Introduction

Filing for divorce is a traumatic experience. It is a difficult decision that out you through a lot of

physiologicalandmentalstress.Thepaperworkandlegalhasslesinvolvedwiththeprocessonlyaddsto

the distress. Lack of knowledge regarding the divorce laws of your state can complicate thematters

evenfurtherandmayimpactthefeasibilityofthecriticaldecisionsthatareessentiallyanimportantpart

oftheprocess.

AtCaliforniaDivorceMediators,weofferahelpinghandtoallthepeoplegoingthroughthisdevastating

phaseoftheir life.Weprovidesupportnot justthroughourservices,butalsothroughknowledgeand

awarenessthatcanhelpyouunderstandthelegalliabilitiesandlimitations,andprepareyourselfforthe

procedure.

This guide will simplify what you need to know and understand the California divorce laws without

having todecipherall the legal jargonandcomplexitiesof laws. Itwillhelpyougaugeyour situation,

measure your possibilities, and make a more knowledgeable situation. We sincerely hope that our

effortswillhelpyouget throughoneof the toughestphaseof your lifeandexpediteyourprocessof

financialandemotionalrecovery.

FormoreinformationaboutCaliforniadivorceandassistancewithyourdivorcematter,pleasecontact

our firm at (888) 258-8383 and visit our website for further informative articles and resources at

www.cadivorcemediators.com.


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Contents

1. WhatAretheResidencyRequirementsforCaliforniaDivorces&LegalSeparation? ......................... 4

2. WhatAretheRequirementsForFilingforDivorce,aka“MaritalDissolution”inCalifornia? ............. 4

3. Whatisa“LegalSeparation”andShouldIFileforItInsteadofDivorce?WhatAboutAnAnnulment? ................................................................................................................................................. 6

4. HowIsMaritalPropertyDividedInCalifornia?.................................................................................... 6

5. WhatHappensInMyCaseAftertheDivorcePaperworkIsFiledAndMySpouseIsServed?............. 8

6. WhatIsThePurposeofCourtMediationBeforeMyOrderToShowCauseHearingforCustody&Visitation? .................................................................................................................................................... 9

7. WhatDoesLegal&PhysicalCustodyMean?..................................................................................... 11

8. HowDoesDomesticViolenceAffectChildCustody?......................................................................... 13

9. HowDoesTheCourtDetermineChildSupport? ............................................................................... 13

10. WhatIs“Temporary”Versus“Permanent”SpousalSupport? ...................................................... 14

11. IsItAGoodIdeaForMeToKeepTheMaritalHouseOrSellIt? ................................................... 16

12. MySpouseWantsToKeepTheHouseUntiltheChildrenGraduateHighSchool-AGoodIdea? .. 17

13. WhatAreTheTaxImplicationsForSellingTheMaritalResidence?.............................................. 17

14. WhatIfMySpouseAndIAreInAgreementOnSomeOrAllIssuesInOurDivorce? .................... 18

15. WhatIfMySpouseAndICannotResolveSomeIssuesInOurDivorce? ....................................... 18

16. HowSoonAfterIFileforDivorceCanIBeDivorced?.................................................................... 18

17. WhatShouldIDoAfterMyDivorceIsFinal? ................................................................................. 19

18. WhatShouldIDoIfIAmConsideringGettingMarriedAgain? ..................................................... 20


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1. WhatAretheResidencyRequirementsforCaliforniaDivorces&LegalSeparation?

TofilefordivorceinCalifornia,youmusthavebeenaresidentofCaliforniafor6monthsandofthecounty inwhichyouare filing thedivorcepetition for3months immediatelyprior to thefiling.

TherearenoresidencyrequirementsforfilingforLegalSeparationinCalifornia.Therefore,forpersonswhocannotmeettheresidencyrequirements fordivorce, theycanfirst file forLegalSeparationand later amend theirPetition intoadivorceproceedingonce theyhavemet theresidencyrequirements.Insituationswhereitisnecessarytoobtaincustody,supportandotherordersfromthecourtasquicklyaspossible,filingforLegalSeparationfirstandlaterchangingtheproceedingintoonefordivorcemaymakesense.

2. WhatAretheRequirementsforFilingforDivorce,aka“MaritalDissolution”inCalifornia?

InCalifornia,youdonothavetociteareasonforseekingadivorcelikeyoucanberequiredtodoinotherstates,suchasdomesticviolenceoradultery.Thereareonly2basesforobtainingadivorceinCalifornia:“IrreconcilableDifferences”or“IncurableInsanity.”Whileyoumayinfactbelievethatyourspousesuffersfromthelatter,therealityisthattheoverwhelmingmajorityofdivorcecasesendduetoirreconcilabledifferences.

In the State of California, there are only two legal reasons for ending a marriage: [1]“Irreconcilable Differences” or [2] incurable insanity. Irreconcilable differencesmean that noamount ofmarital counselingwill save themarriage. California is a “no-fault” divorce state,meaningthatyoudonothavetogivethecourtanyotherreasonforendingyourmarriage,asopposedtootherstateswhichrequireproofofadultery,etc.

TofileforaCaliforniadivorce,youmusthavelivedinCaliforniafor6monthsandfor3monthsin the countywhere you intend to file the divorce paperwork. A “Petition” is filedwith thecountyclerk’soffice,alongwithaSummons.


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The importance of personally serving the Summons and Petition on your spouse is that theSummons includes automatic, built-in family law restraining orders preventing either spousefromsellingor givingawayanyproperty, changingany insurancepoliciesorbeneficiaries, ortakinganychildrenof themarriageoutof theStateofCaliforniawithout theexpresswrittenconsentoftheotherspouse.Theseautomaticrestrainingordersstateasfollows:

“Startingimmediately,youandyourspouseordomesticpartnerisrestrainedfrom:

• removingtheminorchildorchildrenoftheparties,ifany,fromthestatewithoutthepriorwrittenconsentoftheotherpartyoranorderofthecourt;

• cashing,borrowingagainst,canceling,transferring,disposingof,orchangingthebeneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health,automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minorchildorchildren;

• transferring,encumbering,hypothecating,concealing,orinanywaydisposingofany property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, orseparate,withoutthewrittenconsentoftheotherpartyoranorderofthecourt,exceptintheusualcourseofbusinessorforthenecessitiesoflife;and

• creating a non-probate transfer or modifying a non-probate transfer ormodifying a non-probate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition ofpropertysubjecttothetransfer,withoutthewrittenconsentoftheotherpartyoranorderofthecourt.Beforerevocationofanon-probatetransfercantakeeffector a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the changemustbefiledandservedontheotherparty.

• Youmustnotifyeachotherofanyproposedextraordinaryexpendituresat leastfive business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures andaccount to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after theserestraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property,quasi-communityproperty,oryourownseparatepropertytopayanyattorneytohelpyouortopaycourtcosts.”

PersonalserviceoftheSummonsandPetitioncanonlybeaccomplishedbysomeonewhois18years or older who is not a party to the divorce, and alternate means of service may benecessaryiftheotherspousecannotbelocated.


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3. Whatisa“LegalSeparation”andShouldIFileforItInsteadofDivorce?WhataboutanAnnulment?

In situationswhere apartywants toobtainorders for child custody, visitation, and/orotherissuesbuthasnotlivedinthesamecountyforthepast3monthsorinCaliforniaforthepast6months to meet the time requirements for filing for divorce, that party can file for LegalSeparationandamendhisorherPetitiontoadivorceafter6monthshavepassed.

Legal Separation is alsoappropriate for someparties for religiousand/or insurance coverageissues. Medical insurance companies who had previously insured a spouse under the otherspouse’s medical insurance during the marriage generally terminate such coverage optionswhenadivorceisfinalized.Therefore,forspouseswhowouldhavedifficultyinobtainingtheirownmedicalinsurancecoverageafterterminationoftheirmarriageduetopre-existingmedicalconditions, a legal separation can make sense because it enables such medical insurancecoveragetocontinue.TheCourtcanmakeordersrelatingtochildcustody,visitation,childandspousalsupportanddividepropertyinalegalseparationcase,butthepartiesotherwiseremainmarriedtoeachother.

Unlessyourcircumstances fitoneof thosecircumstancesabove,youshouldconsiderdivorceinsteadoflegalseparationbecauseyouwillstillbemarriedattheendofalegalseparationcaseandifyoulaterdecidetodivorce,youwillhavetofileanewcasefordivorce.

What About An Annulment? In order to qualify for an annulment instead of obtaining adivorce,thepartyseekinganannulmentmustbeabletoprovethattheparties’marriagewas“void” (i.e. an incestuous marriage or where one of the parties was still legally married toanother individual at the same time) or “voidable (where the party seeking annulment wasunder18yearsofageatthetimeofmarriageorthatthemarriagewasenteredintobaseduponfraudulent representations, force, or mental and/or physical incapacity). It is generallysubstantiallymoredifficulttoobtainanannulmentthanadivorce.

4. HowIsMaritalPropertyDividedInCalifornia?

UnderCalifornialaw,mostpropertyanddebtsofthemarriagewillgenerallybecharacterizedaseithercommunitypropertyorseparateproperty.


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“CommunityProperty” isall realproperty(i.e.realestate)orpersonalpropertythatyouandyourspouseacquiredthroughlabororskillduringthemarriage(i.e.fromdateofmarriagetodateof separation). CommunityPropertymeans thateach spousehasaone-half interest insuchproperty,regardlessofwhetherpropertyisinonlyoneofthespouses’namesorwhetheronlyoneofthepartiesworkedduringthemarriage.

In addition, debts incurred during the marriage are generally considered communityobligations,evenifthedebtisinonlyoneofthespouse’snames.Therearesomeexceptionstothisrule,suchasstudentloans,whichareconsideredtheseparatepropertydebtofthespousewhoincurredsuchstudentloansbecausetheyalsogetthebenefitoftheeducationobtainedasaresultofsuchstudentloans.

PursuanttoCalifornialaw,communitypropertyassetsanddebtsaregenerallydividedequallybetweentheparties.However,thepartiescanagreetoadivisionofpropertythatfavorsonespouseovertheother.

Itishighlyadvisedthatanymaritaldebtsbepaidofffromtheproceedsofthepropertydivisionsothatbothpartiescanstartoverwitha“cleanslate”andalsosothatthereisnoriskthattheotherpartymaydefaultinpayingadebtthattheyagreedtodointhedivorce.However,thisisnotalwaysanoption insituationswherethepartieshavemoremaritaldebtsandobligationsthanassets.

“SeparateProperty” ispropertyanddebtacquiredprior tomarriage,propertyacquiredandincomeearnedafterdateofseparation,andanygiftsorinheritancesreceivedbefore,duringoraftermarriage. Such property is not divided in the divorce because separate property is notmaritalproperty.

In addition, Family Code Section 2640 entitles the reimbursement of a spouse’s separateproperty contribution of the down paymentmade on a community property home and anyimprovementsmadetosuchcommunitypropertyhome,ifyoucanprovesuchpaymentswithsufficientdocumentation.

Unfortunately, property division can become complicated in situations where separateproperty has become commingled (i.e. mixed) with community property, such as bankaccounts.Moreover,therecanbesituationswhereonespousecontendsthatanassetistheirseparate property asset while the other claims that there was a “transmutation” of thecharacterofthepropertyfromseparateintocommunityproperty.Suchdeterminationscanbecomplicatedandyouarebestadvisedtoseeklegaladvicetodealwiththoseissues.


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5. WhatHappensInMyCaseAftertheDivorcePaperworkIsFiledAndMySpouseIsServed?

• TemporaryOrders

Afterthe initialdivorcepaperworkhasbeenfiledwiththecourt,eitherspousemayfile fora“Request for Order” (RFO) hearingwith the court requesting a hearing to decide temporaryordersforchildcustody,visitation,childsupport,spousalsupport,andotherorderswhilethedivorce is pending. Other orders can involve temporary use of marital property, restrainingordersandordersthatonepartypaytheotherparty’sattorneyfeesandcosts.

WheneveraRequestforOrder(RFO)hearingaddressingtemporarychildcustodyandvisitationissuesarefiled,theCourtwillorderthatthepartiesattendmediationatnocostthroughthecourt’smediationdepartmentprior to theRequest forOrderhearingdate.Although the lawrequiresthattheparentsparticipateinmediation,thereisnorequirementthattheyreachanagreement.

• DisclosureofTheSpouses’FinancialAssets,Debts,IncomesandExpenses

The next step after service of the Summons and Petition for Marital Dissolution and theResponse thereto is for both parties to complete and exchange their own “PreliminaryDeclarationofDisclosure.”

Bothparties inaCaliforniadivorceare required todisclosedetailed, accurate information tothe other about their respective incomes, expenses, property (both marital and separateproperty), and all debts and obligations. These mutual disclosures are called the parties“Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure. These formal disclosures are signed under penalty ofperjury.AFinalDeclarationofDisclosurecanbecompletedatapproximatelythetimeoftrialorsettlement in the case, unless the parties mutually agree in writing to waive such finaldisclosure.

TheseDeclarationsofDisclosureconsistofspecialformsrequiredbythecourt,andexceptforproofthatthepartiesservedeachotherwithsuchforms,theseformsareotherwisenotfiledwiththecourt.The4formsthatgenerallycomprisetheDeclarationofDisclosureare:


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1.DeclarationofDisclosure(Form#FL-140)

2.Income&ExpenseDeclaration(Form#Fl-150)

3.ScheduleofAssets&Debts(Form#FL-142)

4.DeclarationRegardingServiceofDeclarationofDisclosure(Form#FL-141)

Thepurposeofsuchfinancialdisclosuresistomakesettlementnegotiationseasiertoproceedbecauseof the generally clear pictureof theparties’ financial situation givenby such formaldisclosure.Moreover,itprotectsthepartiesintheeventthateitherspousefailedtodiscloseallassets.

Californialawrequiresthatthedisclosuredocumentsbecompletedandservedtwice,onceatthebeginningofthedivorce(i.e.PreliminaryDeclarationofDisclosure)andthenagainneartheend of the case immediately prior to trial or Judgment (i.e. Final Declaration of Disclosure).However,thepartiescanagreetowaiveserviceoftheFinalDeclarationofDisclosure,aslongassuchwaiverisinwritingontheappropriatelegalpaperwork.

• LegalDiscovery

Indivorcesthatrequiredeterminationsofthefairmarketvalueofmaritalassets,communitybusinesses, debts, and self-employment incomes for support purposes, “discovery” requestsserved on one or both spouses may be necessary. Such discovery requests can requireresponses togeneralandspecificquestions,productionofdocumentationandother tangibleitems,anddepositionsofthepartiesorthirdparties.

Completionofthediscoveryprocessisgenerallynecessarybeforeadivorcecasecanbesetfortrialandcanslowdownthedivorceprocess.However,suchdiscovery isnecessarytoprotecttheparties’rightsandensureafairandreasonabledivisionoftheparties’assetsanddebts.

6. WhatIsThePurposeofCourt-MandatedMediationBeforeMy“RequestforOrder”HearingforCustody&Visitation?

Mediationisintendedtoreduceconflictbetweenthepartiesbyencouragingcooperationandassistingparentsincreatingtheirownparentingplanthatmeettheneedsoftheirchildrenwiththeirbestinterestsinmind.


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Thecourtmediatorsaregenerally trainedprofessionalswhohaveat leastaMaster’sDegreeandhaveextensiveexperienceinpsychologyandmarital/familycounseling,andaretrainedinconflictresolution.

Inmediation,themediatormeetswiththepartieseithertogetherand/orindividually.Iftherehas been domestic violence between the parties, the mediation is usually held in separatesessionswitheachparentforsafetyreasonsandtoavoidanyappearanceofintimidation.

Themediatorworkstoassistthepartiesinfocusingonparentingarrangementsthatareinthebest interests of their children and can put together a partial or full parenting agreementschedule (including legal custody, parenting plans, holiday and vacation schedules,transportation or other issues) depending on what the parties are able to agree upon inmediation.

Parents can sometimes resolve all of their parenting issues in mediation, sometimes only apartial agreement can be reached, and otherwise no agreement is reached.Mediators onlydraft agreements that are acceptable to both parties. If the mediation agreement is stillagreeabletobothpartiesat thetimeof theOrdertoShowCausehearing, itcanbeadoptedandincorporatedintoacourtorder.

Only the parties attend mediation, with no attorneys, spouses or other family memberspresent, although a second session can sometimes be requested so that the mediator canspeakwiththeparties’children,ifitisbelievedthatsuchfeedbackwouldbehelpfulinassistingthepartiestodevelopparentingplans.

InOrangeCounty,mediationsaremerelyefforts for theparties tomeet face-to-facewithouttheir attorneys to attempt to resolve such issues.Mediators inOrange County do notmakerecommendationstotheCourtonparentingplans.

However, inRiversideCountyandother InlandEmpire FamilyCourts, the courtmediator canmake recommendations regarding child custody and visitation that the Court judgewill verylikelygivesubstantialconsiderationtoinmakingcourtorders.

MediatorsareallowedunderthelawtomakerecommendationstotheCourtwherethereareallegations of domestic violence, drug, and/or alcohol abuse, and other concerns of themediatoraffectingthewelfareandbest interestsof thechildren.Suchrecommendationscanincludeanemergencychildcustodyevaluation,adomesticviolenceinvestigation,afull


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psychological child custody evaluation, or the appointment of a “minor’s counsel,” who is aprivateattorneyappointedtorepresentandprotectthebestinterestsoftheminorchildren.

7. WhatDoesLegal&PhysicalCustodyMean?

• LegalCustody

LegalCustodyreferstowhogetstomakethedecisionsconcerningthehealth,educationandwelfareofyourchild(ren).

• “Sole Legal Custody”means thatoneparent shall have the right and responsibility tomake the decisions related to the health, education, andwelfare of the child (FamilyCodeSection3006).

• “Joint Legal Custody” means that both parents share the right and responsibility tomake thedecisionsconcerning thehealth,education,andwelfareof thechild (FamilyCodeSection3003).Inmakinganorderforcustodyconcerningbothparents,thecourtmay grant joint legal custody without granting joint physical custody (Family CodeSection3085).Generally,mostparentsagreeto,andthecourtsotherwiseorder, jointlegalcustody,unlessthecourtmakesafindingthatjointlegalcustodyisnotinthebestinterestsofthechild(ren).

FamilyCodeSection3003doesnotspelloutanydetailsofexactlywhat“JointLegalCustody”entails, and so it is highly advisable that any court orders reached in your case include adetailedlistingofthespecificrightsandresponsibilitiesofbothpartiesastheypertaintojointlegal custody. These specified joint rights and responsibilities should include at least thefollowing:

• Enrollmentinorleavingaparticularprivateorpublicschoolordaycarecenter.• Participationinparticularreligiousactivitiesorinstitutions.• Beginningorendingofpsychiatric,psychological,orothermentalhealthcounselingor

therapy.• Selection of a doctor, dentist, or other health professional (except in emergency

situations).• Participationinextracurricularactivities.• Out-of-countryorout-of-statetravel.


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• Theparentwhohas thephysicalcareof thechildrenatanygiven timeshallhave the

routine decision-making rights and responsibilities during those periods of time;however,allmajordecisionspertainingtohealth,educationanddaycareshallbemadejointlybytheparents.Nopriorconsultationisrequiredbetweentheparentsregardingemergencymedical ordental treatment, routine checkups,orminor illness.However,theotherparentshallbenotifiedimmediatelyinthecaseofanemergency.Asharingofroutinehealthinformationisencouraged.

• In theevent thatcontroversyarises regardingmajordecisions,bothparentsshall firstconsulttogetherandifnoresolution,meetandconferwithanexpertinthefieldrelatedtothedispute,e.g. thechild’sdoctor, teacher,counselor,etc. If theconsultationdoesnot resolve the dispute, the parents shall return together to Mediation at thecourthouse in an attempt to reach an agreement. Finally, if the dispute continues, itshallbesubmittedtotheCourtforadecision,anduntil then,theexistingordersshallremainineffect.

• Neitherparentshallenrollthechildreninactivitiesthatrequireacommitmentfromtheother parent or interfere with a previously agreed upon or Court-ordered schedulewithoutmutual approval. Parents are encouraged to attend their children’s activities.Parentsareresponsibleforkeepingthemselvesadvisedandforadvisingeachotherofallschool,athletic,andsocialeventsinwhichthechildrenparticipate.

• Both parents shall have the same access to psychological,medical, dental and schoolrecords pertaining to their children and shall be permitted independently to consultwithanyandallconcernedprofessionals.Thenamesofbothparentsshallbelistedonschoolandextracurricularcardstobecontactedincaseofemergency.

• Eachparentshallnotifytheotherofthename,address,andtelephonenumberofeachhealthpractitionerwhoexaminesor treats thechildren; suchnotification tobemadewithinone(1)dayofthecommencementofthefirstsuchtreatmentorexamination.

• Neither parent shall submit the children to any psychological /psychiatric testing orevaluation or to any extended course of medical, dental, orthodontic, psychiatric orpsychological treatment/counseling without first obtaining the consent of the otherparent.

• Bothparentsarerequiredtoadministeranyprescribedmedicationsforthechildren.• Eachparentshallbeentitledtoreasonabletelephonecommunicationwiththechildren

atreasonablehours.Eachparentshallnotinterferewiththechildren’srighttoprivacyduringsuchtelephoneconversations.


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• Neither party shall change the surname of the children or cause the surnames to bechangedonmedical,dental,school,DMVrecordsorotherlegaldocumentswithouttheconsentoftheotherparentororderoftheCourt.

PhysicalCustody

• “JointPhysicalCustody”meansthateachoftheparentsshallhavesignificantperiodsofphysicalcustody.Jointphysicalcustodyshallbesharedinsuchawaysoastoassureachild of “frequent and continuing contact” with both parents (Family Code Section3004).Inmakinganorderforjointphysicalcustody,thecourtmayspecifyoneparentastheprimarycaretakerofthechildandonehomeastheprimaryhomeofthechildforthepurposeofdeterminingeligibilityforpublicassistance(FamilyCodeSection3086).

• “Sole Physical Custody” means that a child shall reside with and be under thesupervisionofoneparent,subjecttothepowerofthecourttoordervisitationwiththeotherparent(FamilyCodeSection3007).

• ”JointCustody”meansjointphysicalandjointlegalcustody(FamilyCodeSection3002).

8. HowDoesDomesticViolenceAffectChildCustody?

The Courtwill consider your case to be a “domestic violence case” if the Court finds that aparentcommittedorwasconvictedofdomesticviolenceagainsttheotherparentinthelast5years.

Pursuant to Family Code Section 3044, if the Court makes such a finding, there is a legalpresumption that the partywhoperpetuated the domestic violence should not have sole orjoint custody of the parties’ children. Such legal presumption can be overcome and custodyawardedtotheparentwhocommittedthedomesticviolenceifitisinthebestinterestsofthechild,theperpetratorhascompleteda52-weekbatterer’sprogram,notcommittedanyotherdomesticviolence,andhascompliedwithanyotherordersoftheCourt.

9. HowDoesTheCourtDetermineChildSupport?

Californiahasachildsupportguidelineformulathatisusedinallcasestodeterminetheproperamountofchildsupport.Generally,thecourtsandallattorneysinCaliforniauseoneof2


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recognized computer programs based on the child support guideline formula called“Dissomaster”and“X-spouse.”

The factors considered inmaking child support orders are primarily the gross incomeof theparties and the amount of time each parent spends with the minor child. However, otherfactorsthatcanbeconsidered includeany itemizeddeductionsthepartiescanclaimontheirtaxes,medicalinsurancepremiumspaideachmonth,andanymandatoryretirementpaymentsandunionduesforindividualswhoseemploymentrequiresthemtobepartofaunionandtocontributetoadeferredcompensationretirementplan(i.e.apension).

In addition to the basic monthly child support, the court will generally also order that theparentsequallysharethecostsofchildcareexpensesnecessaryforthecustodialparentorbothparents towork, aswell as anymedical, dental, and vision expenses for theminor child notcoveredorreimbursedbymedical/dental/visioninsurance.

Childsupportcanalsoincludeexpensesforthespecialneedsofachild,suchastutorsorotherservices,aswellasthetransportationcostsforvisitationofaparent.

Finally, the Court generally orders that both parents keep their childmedically insuredwithmedicalinsuranceifitisavailableatnocostoratreasonablecosttobothparents.

ChildSupportisgenerallypaiduntiltheminorchildreachestheageof18,orage19iftheyarestill a full-time high school student at age 18, unless the minor child dies or becomesemancipatedpriortobecominganadult.

ChildSupportorderscanbemodifiedifthereis:

• Asignificantincreaseordecreaseineitherparent’sincome;• Achangeincustodyortheamountoftimethechildspendswitheachparent;or• Anyotherchangethatwouldaffectthechildsupportguidelinecalculations.

10. WhatIs“Temporary”Versus“Permanent”SpousalSupport?

California law makes a distinction between “short-term” and “long-term” marriages indetermining the duration of spousal support payments and the jurisdiction of the court toawardspousalsupport.Formarriageslessthan10yearsinduration,Californialawandcaselaw


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precedentmaintainsthatthespouseobligatedtopayspousalsupportisobligatedtodosoforone-halfthelengthoftheactualmarriage.

However,formarriages10yearsormore,thecourtgenerallyhascontinuing jurisdictionovertheissueofspousalsupportandthelongerthemarriage,generallytheprospectofcontinuingspousalsupportformanyyearstocome.

Temporaryspousalsupport,alsoknownas“penditelite”spousalsupport,isgenerallyanawardofsupportwhilethedivorceisstillpendinginthecourt.Itiscalculatedusingthesameformulaandcomputerprogramsnotedabove.

Permanentspousalsupport,which isdeterminedbythecourtattimeoftrialoragreedtobytheparties,doesnotinvolveaformulaorcomputerprogram.Instead,itisafactualanalysisofthefactorsofthemarriage,includingthemaritalstandardoflivingandthefollowingfactors:

• The extent to which each party’s earning capacity is sufficient to maintain thestandardoflivingestablishedduringthemarriage;

• Thecontributionsofthesupportedpartytothepayingparty’seducation,training,careerposition,orprofessionallicense;

• Theabilityofthesupportingpartytopayspousalsupport;• The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the

marriage;• Theobligationsandasset,includingseparateproperty,ofeachparty;• Thedurationofthemarriage;• The ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without

interferingwiththeinterestsofdependentchildren;• Theageandhealthoftheparties;• Anyhistoryofdomesticviolencebetweentheparties;• Theimmediateandspecifictaxconsequencestoeachparty;• Thebalanceofthehardshipstoeachparty;• The goal that the supported party become self-supporting within a reasonable

periodoftime(usuallyone-halfthelengthofthemarriage);• Anycriminalconvictionofanabusivespouse;and• Anyotherfactorsthecourtdeemsjustandequitable.

Insituationswhereneitherpartyneedsspousalsupportatthemoment,theCourtcanreservejurisdictiontoorderspousalsupport inthefuture if therewereanychangeofcircumstances,suchasseriousillness,disability,orlossofemployment.


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11. IsItAGoodIdeaForMeToKeepTheMaritalHouseOrSellIt?

Toanswerthatquestion,youmustfirsttakearealisticassessmentofwhetheryoucanaffordthe costs to maintain the expenses associated with the home on your own, including themortgage, property taxes, utilities, and maintenance costs. You will have to make suchpaymentsononeincomeinsteadoftwo,andifyouarethespousethatwillberesponsibletopaychildand/orspousalsupport,yourpost-maritalexpenseswillbeevenhigher.

Inaddition,yourspouseislikelyentitledtoone-halfoftheequityinthemaritalhomeaspartofhiscommunitypropertyshare.Ifyouwishtokeepthehouse,thenthepropertywillneedtobeprofessionally appraised to determine the fair market value of the property, minus themortgageandanyhomeequityloansontheproperty.Inaddition,ifeitherspousecontributedany separate property funds (i.e. generally, money that the spouse had prior to marriage)towards thedownpaymentsor for improvements to theproperty,FamilyCodesection2640statesthatsuchspouseisentitledtoreimbursementforsuchdownpaymentorimprovementsfirstpriortoanycommunitypropertydivisionoftheremainingequity.

So,ifyouchosetokeeptheproperty,youroptionisgenerallytorefinancethemortgageinyourown name to pull out one-half of the equity in the property to pay off the other spouse’sinterestintheproperty.Itisprudenttogetpre-qualifiedforanewmortgagethatis,inreality,50%largerbecauseofthebuyoutoftheotherspouse’sinterest,toseeifyouqualifyandalsoifyoucanhandlethenewmortgagewithoutlosingsleepatnight.Thisiswherechildsupportandspousalsupportcancomeintoplay,becauseiftherearecourtordersinplaceforsuchsupport,a lender will generally view such monetary “income” streams in qualifying you for a newmortgage,ifitislikelytocontinueforatleast3years.

If youare the spouse leaving thehome, youwant tohavewrittenassurances that theotherspousewill remain currenton themortgageuntil theproperty is refinanced in that spouse’snamealone, atwhichpoint youwouldquit-claim the title to theproperty to that spouse astheirown.Incertainsituationswheretheotherspousemaynotbeabletoreadilyrefinancetheproperty in their own name, you can contact your mortgage lender and request to do a“QualifyingNameDeleteAssumption,”whereinyournamewouldbedeletedfromtheexistingmortgageobligation.

Rememberthatsellingyourhomeisalwaysthelastresortiftheseoptionsarenotavailable.


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12. MySpouseWantsToKeepTheHouseUntiltheChildrenGraduateHighSchool-AGoodIdea?

Trying to keep the marital house for the sake of the children is admirable and generallyintended to be in their best interests, particularly during the instability of divorce and theadjustmentoftheirlifethereafter.

However,therearerealconsiderationsthathavetobeweighedinordertodeterminewhetherit iswise toenter into suchagreement. First, youmayhavedifficulty inqualifying foranewproperty you wish to purchase since you will be listed as a borrower under the existingmortgage for the marital property, thereby affecting your debt ratio that lenders use inqualifyingborrowers.

Second,ifthespouseremaininginthehousemakeslatepaymentsonthemortgageordefaultson payments, your own credit will also be detrimentally affected and seriously affect yourcreditscorewhichinturnwillaffectyourabilitytoborroworleaseanythinginthefuture.

Finally,youwillneedtohaveaclearwrittenunderstandingofwhateachspousewillbeentitledtoyearsfromnowafterJuniorhasgraduatedfromHighSchoolandnowthetimehascometosellthehouse.Afterall,shouldthespousethatdidnotkeepthehousestillbeentitledtoone-halfof theequity in thepropertyat thetimeofsale,orat thetimeof thedivorce?Havingaclear agreement is vital to avoiding future, costly problems in how to divide a property soldyearsafterthedivorcewasover.

13. WhatAreTheTaxImplicationsForSellingTheMaritalResidence?

UndercurrentFederaltaxlaw,ifyouhavelivedinthesamehousefortwoofthelast5yearsasyourprincipalresidence, individualsareexemptfromcapitalgainstaxesofupto$250,000 intaxableprofitsonthesaleofyourhouse,and$500,000intaxableprofitsformarriedcouples.For any profits above these amounts, capital gains taxes are assessed of 20% would beassessed,whichmarriedcoupleswouldbeequallyliablefor.


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Thereareoccasionswhereoneofthespousesinvolvedinadivorcewishesto“bifurcatemaritalstatus”whiletheirdivorceispending,meaningthattheCourtcanrestorethepartiestosinglepersonswhiletherestofthedissolutioncaseisstillpending.Forexample,oneofthespousesmay wish to remarry, and they cannot legally do so without first terminating their maritalstatus.However,thepartiesmustfirstdeterminetheapproximateamountthattheirresidencehasappreciatedinvaluesincetheyboughtit,becauseifonespousedecidestokeepthemaritalresidenceandmaritalstatushaspreviouslybeendetermined,thatspousewouldbeconsideredasinglepersonforpurposesofstateandFederaltaxlawsandtherebyonlybeentitledtothe$250,000 tax exemption instead of the $500,000 tax exemption. The tax implications are besubstantialandshouldbeconsideredinanysettlementnegotiations.

You should always consult with your tax professional before making any decisions in yourdivorcecase.

14. WhatIfMySpouseAndIAreInAgreementOnSomeOrAllIssuesInOurDivorce?

Whenpartiesareabletoworktogether inreachingagreementsfortemporaryordersorfinalsettlementoftheirentiremaritaldissolutioncase,a“Stipulation&Order”fortemporaryordersora“MaritalSettlementAgreement”aspartofaStipulatedFinalJudgmentcanbedraftedbythe attorney outlining the terms of such agreement which the parties and their respectivecounselwillsignandwhenfiledwiththeCourt,theybecomeofficialordersoftheCourt.

15. WhatIfMySpouseAndICannotResolveSomeIssuesInOurDivorce?

If thespousesultimatelyareunable to reachamore“permanent”agreementonall custody,visitationandrelatedissues,thepartieswillneedtorequestthatatrialdatebesettohavethejudgeassigned to thecasedecide the issues.Thereareno juries in family lawcourt, sosuchissuesaregenerallydecidedbytheJudgeoraCommissioneroftheFamilyLawCourt.

16. HowSoonAfterIFileforDivorceCanIBeDivorced?


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California has a six-month “cooling-off” period prior to entry of Judgment in a maritaldissolutioncase,meaningthataJudgmentterminatingthemarriagecannotbeentereduntilatleast6monthsafterthedatetheotherspousewasservedwiththePetitionformarital

dissolution has passed. However, nothing happens automatically when the 6 month timeperiodisreached,andtheCourtdoesnotautomaticallyterminatethemarriageafter6months.Entryof Judgmentrequireseithera formalMaritalSettlementAgreementbeentered intobytheparties aspartof a Judgmentpackage filedwith the court, orotherwiseby courtordersmadeattrial.

Inotherwords,adivorcejudgmentcanonlyhappenwitheitheranagreed-uponjudgmentorgoingtotrial.Untilthattime,neitherpartycanlegallyremarry.

Insituationswhere thepartieshavenot resolvedall issuesoroneorbothpartiesseek tobedivorced in order to remarry, a party can seek a “bifurcation”ofmarital status,wherein thecourtterminatesyourstatusasamarriedcouplebutreservesjurisdictionoverallotherissuesofthemarriageuntilfurtheragreementcanbereachedorthecasegoestotrial.

17. WhatShouldIDoAfterMyDivorceIsFinal?

Reviewandreviseyourestateplan,includingyourwill.Ifyouhadarevocablelivingtrustwithyour ex-spouse, you should obtain one for yourself and revoke the prior one with your ex-spouse.

Changethebeneficiariesonanylifeinsuranceandretirementpoliciestoyourchildrenorothersinplaceofyourex-spouse.

Consultwithataxconsultantconcerningyournewfinancialcircumstances.Ifyouhavephysicalcustodyofyourminorchildrenformorethan50%ofthetime,yougenerallygettoclaimthechildrenastaxexemptionsonyourtaxreturns(unlessyouandyourspousereachedadifferentagreement in the judgment). If you are receiving child and spousal support from your ex-spouse, remember that child support is not tax-deductible so youdonothave to claim suchsupportonyourtaxreturns.However,spousalsupportIStax-deductible,andisconsideredascompensationbytheIRSwhichyoumustclaimonyourtaxreturns.


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18. WhatShouldIDoIfIAmConsideringGettingMarriedAgain?

SeriouslyconsideraPrenuptialAgreementifyouhavesignificantassets,oryouareinvolvedinfamilybusiness.Thefirsttimearoundinmarriage,mostpeoplemarryyoung,havenomoneyorassets,andhaveabsolutelynoideawhatthelawsareconcerningmarriage.Thedivorcerateisover50%overall,butisevenhigherforsubsequentmarriages.

Therefore,aPrenuptialAgreement iswiseandprudentwith thoseodds.Moreover, this timearound,whynothave the financial aspectsofmarriagedealtwithupfront, so thathopefullyyou and your new spouse can concentrate on the romance of yourmarriage and hopefullyavoid theproblemsandpitfallsof your firstmarriage in theprocess. Marriageand romanceovertheyearsischallengingenoughwithoutfinancialstress,sowhynotmakeeffortstoreduceor eliminate the potential to argue over money issues when both parties can agree andunderstandthefinancialagreementfromthestart.


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About California Divorce Mediators

California Divorce Mediators is a team of trained mediators who are also divorce and

family attorneys dedicated to the cause of helping individuals retain control over their

lives by mutually and voluntarily negotiating a separation, divorce, property division, or

child custody agreement. Because when couples work together with the support and

assistance of one of our mediators, they are usually able to reach decisions that

ultimately result in sustainable agreements that benefit everyone involved in the matter,

including children.

Our founder, Gerry Maggio, is dedicated to the mediation process to help families

resolve their conflicts peacefully in the hopes of preserving family assets, integrity and

respect, in the real world. Mr. Maggio is a trained divorce mediator and an experienced

and respected family law and divorce attorney who has handled many litigated cases as

well as amicably-resolved cases settled out of court.

Divorce can rank among the most difficult times in a person’s life, both emotionally and

financially. At California Divorce Mediators, we compassionately understand the multi-

layered challenges you are facing. We let both parties tell their own story, goals, and

feelings in their own words, which goes a long way towards allowing everyone to move

forward with their lives. We know that it is easier to reach an agreement once both

parties feel that someone has heard them and understands their position.


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To schedule a consultation with California Divorce Mediators regarding mediation as an

option in your divorce or custody matter, contact us by phone at (888) 258-8383 or visit

us at www.cadivorcemediators.com.


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Disclaimer: The download or distribution of this booklet does not create an attorney-client

relationship.Thisbookletissimplyofferedtoprovidegeneralinformation.

From division of assets to determination of child’s future, there are a lot of aspects that require in-depthunderstanding. Our expert divorce attorneys and mediators are always prepared to answer your queries andconcernsat1.949.553.0304

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