Finding a joint bank account empty before divorce can leave you worried about paying bills and recovering your share of the money. In California, most property gained during marriage is community property. However, the source of the money and other facts can affect...
Property Division
Preventing the forced sale: Strategies to keep generational real estate intact
When a marriage ends, few scenarios are more devastating than being forced to sell a family vineyard, estate or business built over generations simply to satisfy a divorce settlement. For high-net-worth individuals, protecting irreplaceable assets requires strategic...
4 key facts about dividing a business in a California divorce
A business is rarely just an asset; it represents years of effort, sacrifice and shared goals. Divorce can place that investment under strain, introducing emotional stress alongside financial uncertainty. Many owners assume they will simply “keep” the company they...
How to manage multiple real estate assets in a divorce
Handling multiple real estate assets during a divorce can feel overwhelming, and this challenge grows when you own more than your primary home. In addition, vacation homes, rental properties and commercial real estate can vastly complicate the asset division process...
Know the importance of full financial disclosure in a divorce
In a California divorce, people will need to be prepared for the future. A fundamental part of that includes being attentive about the past. Notably, that involves finances. While there might be a perception that a married couple will be aware of the financial...
Must a personal injury settlement be divided in divorce?
Let's say you were injured in an accident, you took legal action and you received a substantial out-of-court settlement. Now you're going through a divorce. Do you have to divide your settlement with your soon-to-be ex-spouse? The simple answer to this question is no,...
What if your community property includes your business?
California's community property law holds that all assets and debts acquired by either spouse during their marriage is owned jointly by both spouses. This means that if the marriage ends in divorce, each spouse has an equal claim to everything in the community...
Division of retirement assets in California divorces
Divorce is one of the most challenging times in any person's life. It often takes an enormous toll on the parties, and it is a difficult experience in every way, including financially. In addition to the emotional difficulties the couple is going through, many other...
How will divorce impact my private practice?
Physicians who choose to own a private practice are taking on more than just patients. They are taking on the need to delegate administrative and business duties and navigate the legalities of running a medical business. This is all in addition to managing patient...
Common denominators in property division
California has plenty of high-profile family law cases due to the number of rich and famous people who live in the state. And, when there's a lot of property at stake, divorces can get complicated. Still, while the details can be very different from one divorce to the...