Divorce and Pets — Who gets Fido?
In a divorce or domestic partnership dissolution, if the parties cannot come to agreement themselves on who gets ownership of a pet animal, the judge will now determine who gets custody – and they can...
Kids & Pets
Get the tools you need to understand legal and physical custody (of kids and pets), develop an effective parenting plan, understand child support and add-ons (like childcare and medical expenses) and prepare for child custody mediation.
We are all amateurs at parenting which is a good reminder that nothing we do is going to be perfect (especially when there’s so many needs and interests that have to be balanced). Kids are resilient and we’ve seen loads of them survive (and thrive) post-divorce.
Our Favorites:
Tips for Court Ordered Child Custody Mediation (CA)
What is child custody mediation? If you and your former partner are unable to agree on child custody and/or visitation issues, you both will be required to participate in mandatory child custody mediation. The objective...
10 Tips for the Self Represented in Family Court
For the uninitiated, the idea of representing yourself in family court seems outrageous. Why wouldn’t you hire a professional? Well, there are a number of reasons self-representation might be right for your subjective situation. Whether...
What is a Legal Coach and Should I Get One?
How will my bonus income affect child or spousal support?
Many employers give an annual or quarterly bonus to their employees when certain company or individual goals are met. A common theme throughout our practice are questions like will I have to pay support based...
Can a Special Master help in my child custody matter?
WHAT IS A SPECIAL MASTER? Special masters are often used in divorce and paternity actions when parents are having serious child custody issues related to custodial exchange disputes, visitation schedule changes, transportation disputes, religious training,...
Our Favorite Divorce and Co-parenting Books
You’ve separated from your child’s other parent. Life is tough, and litigation is messy. You are looking for good resources anywhere you can find it. • Do try a support group. • Do consult a...
Child Custody Recommending Counseling and Mediation: What’s the Difference? (CA)
In a case involving children where the parties have not agreed on a parenting plan, the Family Law Court mandates that parents “mediate” prior to a hearing on the matter. Mediators have experience in counseling...
Parenting Resource for Divorcing Parents
I stumbled upon the “Parenting Plan Handbook” today from the San Diego Superior Court. I strongly encourage separating parents to take a look, particularly parents with small children. It’s very introductory and would not be...
Is a donor agreement enough to protect my same-sex partner from a challenge to her parental rights?
Is a donor agreement enough to protect your same sex partner from a challenge of parental right? Usually not. In California, maybe. In short, we recommend a second parent adoption or a ‘Paternity’ action to...
My Kid is 18 Years Old, Why Am I Still Paying Child Support?
You’ve been paying child support for years and years. You’re child has now turned 18 and you run down to the courthouse to request a termination of support — only to find it’s not as...
Will Child Support Change When I Get Remarried?
While we find that many of California’s family laws are common sensical, this issue is not. Unfortunately, the legal answer often ends up causing one parent serious frustration and a feeling of injustice. For purposes...
10 Facts You Should Know About CA Child Support Modification
California child support modifications got your head all turned around? Need help wading through the intricacies to come out the other side prepared and comfortable with everything you need to know about divorce and child...
Counting the Dollars and Cents: Keys to Child Support Add-Ons
If you are a single parent, you are probably familiar with the concept of child support. Child support is calculated using statewide guidelines, and while the court has discretion to deviate from the guideline calculation,...
Vacation Planning With Your Ex Driving You Crazy? Co Parenting Tips That Get The Job Done
Scheduling vacations, holidays and special days are time-consuming and exhausting. Who’s hosting Thanksgiving? Do you need to make travel arrangements? Do you really have to invite that pesky Uncle who falls asleep during dinner? Do...
Are Three Parents a Crowd? Understanding California’s 3rd Parent Law
Most children have two parents, a mother and a father, two moms or two dads. But what about a child that has three (or more!) parents? A three – or more – parent family might...
Nesting: It’s Not Just for Birds
What is nesting? “Nesting” is a non-traditional custody arrangement where the children stay in the family home and the parents trade off living in the house with the children, much like birds taking turns in...
You, Your Spouse, and…. (3rd Parties Joined to Divorce Actions)
Most people are aware that in Divorce or Domestic Partnership Dissolution, certain employee benefit plans can be joined to the action to ensure that retirement accounts are divided prior to the completion of the case....
Will Spousal Support Increase When Child Support Terminates?
Child support ordinarily terminates when a child turns 18 years old unless the child remains a full time high student, in which case, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19 (whichever comes first)....
Divorce Court 101
Most people who end up in a family law courtroom have never been to court before. Perhaps they’ve served on a jury or appeared for a traffic infraction – but rarely has a divorce litigant...
How Social Media Can Undermine your Divorce Action
More than ever, litigants and lawyers are using social media to collect information that they can use as ‘evidence’ in a Family Law Case. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and various dating websites are all popular...
How Can I Enforce a Court Order for Child Visitation or Custody?
If your spouse isn’t complying with visitation schedules and child support rulings, you might just be pulling your hair out in desperate need of some stability, wondering where to go next. First, try speaking to...
What’s the Difference between “Legal” and “Physical” Custody?
Legal custody is the right to make the major decisions concerning a child’s health, welfare and education, like where a child goes to school, and whether a child should receive medical care (or even who...
Can I Compel Payment of Child Support if Years Have Passed? FAQ
My ex stopped paying me the court-ordered child support years ago, but I never really went after him/her. Our son is now in college and I am having trouble helping him make ends meet. Can...
How Can I Get Parentage Rights if We’re Not Married?
"My ex-girlfriend is pregnant with our child, but she refuses to speak to me right now, and I’m worried I won’t be able to see our child when he’s born. What can I do?" In...
Who Gets Custody of the Children?
How do courts decide who gets physical and legal custody of the children? What if my child has already told me who she wants to live it? “Best interest of the child”—the phrase that pays....
Complete List of CA, CO, UT Divorce Forms – with Links
Our exhaustive list of California divorce forms with links to download them.
Glossary of Terms
Legalese made easy. This document has all of the terms you’re likely to hear and their definitions in plain English. Join us and download this free glossary of legal terms.
Ten Important Laws You Need to Know About (if You’re Getting a Divorce in California)
1. Spousal Support (Family Code Section 4320): While pre judgment spousal support is generally calculated using a formula, long term spousal support is determined by review of various factors. Some of the factors the court...
Calculating Timeshare Kids Spend with Each Parent in California
You’ve determined the schedule your kids will spend with each parent. Now, you want to calculate child support but can’t do so without determining the percentage timeshare your children spend with you and your ex....
California Child Support Calculator
Use our convenient child support calculator to determine an estimate of California child support. Enter in all of the requested information below, and the results will help inform your position for mediation and/or negotiation with...
The Hello Divorce Worksheet
This worksheet breaks down all of the things you need to think through and resolve before you can finalize your divorce.
Best Practices for Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities in a Split Household
Even ‘happily’ married couples have difficulty effectively supporting their children. In some cases, especially when the parents have a child or children with a disability, the parents need to be even more united and consistent...
Changing a Child’s Last Name in California
What’s in a name? Well, for some people, a lot. At divorce, one parent may want to change their child’s last name. Usually this involves creating a hyphenated last name, so that the child’s surname...
10 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Family Law Declaration (to Attach to Your Request for Orders in California)
A declaration is a written statement made under the penalty of perjury. If you are filing a “Request for Order” (or responding to a “Request for Order”) asking that the Judge enter orders providing you...
10+ (non legal) Essential Apps to Rely on While Uncoupling
Getting unmarried can sometimes be as expensive, insanely time consuming and detail driven as planning your wedding. When we tie the knot in the first place, we use wedding planners, online worksheets, and various other...
How to Keep Your Divorce Conversations Productive
First things first. If you want to negotiate an agreement with your spouse, you have to remember (and accept) the following principles: • Be mindful that your purpose is to avoid arguing and to be...
Presenting Evidence in Family Court
Most people (even some lawyers) don’t expect the Evidence Code to apply in family law in the same way that we see it used in Criminal or Civil Law. The fact is that it most...
Tips for Getting Your Spouse On Board with Mediation in California
Mediation, whether through Hello Divorce, with a trained mediation counselor or a divorce financial planner, can be a great option for resolving the issues pertaining to your divorce. At Hello Divorce, we not only guide...
My spouse can earn more but refuses to. How is this handled for purposes of Child Support?
When we calculate child support, we generally use the actual incomes of both spouses. But what happens when your spouse is under earning? That is, s/he is working less than full time and/or is not...
What to Wear to Court
As a general rule, you should think of the courtroom as a formal environment. Dress as you would when going for an important job interview or to church. You can be barred from the courtroom...
What Are the Different Types of Court Hearings I Might Have to Attend? (CA)
The most common type of hearings in Family Court are related to child support, spousal support and/or child custody. These hearings are scheduled after one spouse files a “Request for Order.” Depending on the complexity...
What is Contempt?
In the course of your divorce, the family court may issue a range of orders, including visitation and custody determinations, orders to pay attorney’s fees, and divisions of property. When an ex-spouse (or soon to...
California Family Court Custody Mediation vs. Private Mediation: Which Should I Choose?
The goal of mediation is to help you and your spouse come to agreements regarding your children. Assuming you and your spouse are in agreement, you can choose to opt out of working with a...
Special Considerations for Your Same Sex Divorce in California
We have all heard the good news. California no longer recognizes a distinction between same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. Any couple can now obtain a marriage license and wed, regardless of that couple’s sexual orientation. In...
Illness, Kids & Co-Parenting: How to Cope
One Friday afternoon when I was 34, I was having some follow-up testing done after a “funny” breast MRI, and ended up with a breast cancer diagnosis. My six year-old daughter was on her way...
3 Ways Your Kid(s) Will Thrive in a Co-Parenting Relationship
Guess what? There’s a lot of good news when it comes to what the research says about children and divorce. In a nutshell, your kids are going to be just fine as long as you...
Worksheet: Create a Thoughtful Divorce Co-Parenting Plan
Our worksheet is designed to help you think through co-parenting details big and small, in advance. Completing this worksheet ahead of parenting plan discussions with your mediator or attorney can give you the space and...
Checklist: Shared Custody & Visitation
There's a lot to think about when you start your co-parenting journey. We're here to help take the stress out of this transition with a checklist that will help you think about and plan items...
I’m a Divorced Dad, and This is My Best Advice for Co-Parenting Your Kids
You’ll find yourself doing a lot of things you didn’t ever expect to be doing on your own as a newly divorced dad. I did. Along the way, there were a few things I learned...
How to Tell Your Ex You Want a Divorce (in the Most Amicable Way Possible)
Your relationship is over but you’ve waited to have the “Dear John” talk. Here’s how to do it (nicely). It may seem insensitive or trivial. Who do I think I am – writing your “Dear...
Divorced Dads: Do These 5 Things
For some of us divorced dads, the approach of any holiday, from Mother’s Day to Valentine’s Day, is enough to bring on the cold sweats. Relax. Survival, even redemption, is attainable — and it’s not...
Worksheet: Dating After Divorce – Introducing (or Meeting) a New Partner when Kids are in the Picture
Whether you're introducing a new partner, meeting a new partner, or *are* the new partner, our worksheet will help you prepare for this meeting, while considering the potential concerns and points of view from everyone...
Colorado (Required) Parenting Classes by County
When divorcing with minor children in Colorado, some counties will require you to attend parenting classes. Click on your county’s class link in the list below to see what is required. County Approved Parenting Classes...
Utah Divorce Education & Orientation Courses (Mandatory for Parents of Minors)
These classes are mandatory for divorcing parents of children under the age of 18. The Petitioner spouse must attend these courses within 60 days of filing the Petition for Divorce, and the Respondent spouse must...
Court-Ordered Mediation: What To Expect (UT)
In Utah, mediation is only made mandatory by the court when a divorce is filed with contested issues, meaning issues you and your spouse are not in agreement upon. In such cases, the Court mandates...
The Main Issue When Divorcing with Children in Colorado: What Does Parental Responsibility Mean? How is it Decided?
Colorado does not use terms like “joint custody” and “sole custody.” Instead, the term is “parental responsibility,” and the Court’s default approach is that it should be equal between the two parents. However, the Court’s...
Shared, Split, or Sole Care for Your Child in Colorado? What You Need to Know.
Getting divorced with children can be a much harder, emotional experience. While needing to do what is best for you and your partner to move forward, you also have to plan for your children so...
How to Survive Living With Your Ex During Covid
I have seen at least 5 articles lately about how “quarantining with my ex changed my life for the better” and while I am thrilled for them, I have had a very different experience. After...
Colorado: What is Child Custody Mediation?
Depending upon which county you reside in, or if you and your former partner are unable to agree on child custody and/or visitation issues, you will likely be required to participate in child custody mediation. ...
10 (New) Terms to Include in Your Co-Parenting Agreement as a Result of COVID-19 (+ Checklist!)
Since March 2020, parents across the country have been navigating co-parenting during COVID-19, as parenting challenges unseen in the modern era have forced thousands of co-parents to court on an emergency basis. What happens when...
Tips for Navigating Divorce When Your Child Has Special Needs
Even in a two-parent household, the challenges of raising a special needs child bring both joy and hardship. Add in the complexity of divorce, and it can feel really overwhelming. My hope is that this...
How to Modify Child Support or Alimony During COVID-19 in Utah?
Losing your job or small business is devastating, especially if you’re also paying child support and/or alimony. While it is stressful, you shouldn’t be down on yourself; so many people are suffering the effects of...
How is Child Support Determined in Utah?
Child support can be granted during divorce, temporary separation, or as separate maintenance. Generally speaking, there is a legal duty for parents to support their children under the age of 18 but there are exceptions,...
Breaking Down Common Parenting Time Schedules: Which Plan is Right for You?
When it comes to parenting time schedules, the options are as wide as your imagination. From month on/month off, to every other weekend schedule, there are as many schedules as there are days in the...
6 Mistakes Men, Especially Dads, Make During the Divorce Process
Divorce can be a tricky process for many men to navigate, particularly fathers. Men and dads get divorced, of course, but some divorces are more successful than others. If you are a man and or...
Divorce 101: California Divorce Law Video Tutorial
You may have already heard me say it before: Divorce is both Procedure & Substance. Procedure = forms, processing with the court, “service of process” (delivery of documents to your spouse). Substance = the issues...
How to file an agreed divorce with minor children in Texas & what to expect
Filing for divorce seems scary and difficult, right? We’re here to make it easier and less stressful. Below, we’ll walk you through the process of an agreed divorce with minor children in Texas, from start...
How is spousal maintenance decided and calculated in Texas?
Spousal maintenance, also called spousal support or alimony, is either something agreed upon by both parties or is ordered by the court, depending on the circumstances of the marriage and consideration of various factors. It...
What Texas military members should know when divorcing
If you or your spouse are active or past members of the military, getting a divorce can be more complicated. Below, you’ll find information to help you through the specifics of your process. How do...
Should I file an answer or counter-petition to my spouse’s petition for divorce in Texas?
If you are served with an Original Petition for Divorce in Texas, you are considered the Respondent spouse. The Petition is the document your spouse has filed with the court to initiate divorce proceedings. The...
How do I serve my spouse with divorce papers in Texas?
I keep hearing that I have to ‘serve’ my spouse for a divorce. What does this mean? First things first – a divorce is actually a type of lawsuit. And before you can sue someone,...
How is child support calculated in Texas?
Child support in Texas is the money a parent pays to help with the cost of raising a child, including but not limited to food, housing, clothing, daycare, school supplies and extracurricular activities. Both parents...
