In California, child custody decisions are based on one standard: the best interests of the child. Courts divide custody into two types — legal custody, which covers decision-making, and physical custody, which covers where the
California child support is calculated using a statewide formula set by law. The formula is based primarily on each parent’s income and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. The result is
A conservatorship is a court-ordered legal arrangement in which a person — called a conservator — is appointed to manage the personal care, finances, or both for an adult who can no longer make those
Guardianship is a court-ordered legal relationship in which an adult who is not the child’s parent is given the legal authority to care for a minor child. In California, guardianship is established through the probate
Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets and paying their debts after they die. In California, probate is required for most estates that include assets titled solely in the deceased person’s
A DVRO — Domestic Violence Restraining Order — is a court order that protects a person from abuse, harassment, stalking, or threats by someone they have a close relationship with. In California, DVROs are issued
Yes. Representing yourself in a California divorce or family law proceeding is common and legally permitted. California courts see self-represented litigants every day. An entire industry of legal document assistants and self-help professionals exists to