In California divorce cases, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal order used to divide certain types of retirement or pension benefits between spouses. A QDRO is specifically used for dividing retirement plans that are governed by the…
In a California divorce, the classification of property determines whether an asset is considered community property or separate property, which affects how it will be divided between the spouses. California follows a community property system, meaning that any property acquired…
In California, separate property refers to assets and property that one spouse owns individually, rather than jointly with the other spouse. Separate property generally includes property acquired before the marriage, property received as a gift or inheritance during the marriage,…
In California, community property is generally divided equally between spouses in a divorce. California follows the principle of “community property,” which means that any property or assets acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned by both spouses, regardless of…
In California divorce cases, imputation of income refers to the legal process where a court assigns an income level to a spouse who is intentionally underemployed or unemployed in order to avoid paying child or spousal support. If a spouse…
In California divorce cases, joint custody refers to an arrangement where both parents share the responsibility and decision-making authority regarding their child’s upbringing. This can include both legal and physical custody. Legal custody involves the right to make important decisions…
In California, the grounds for divorce are relatively straightforward, as the state operates under a “no-fault” divorce system. This means that neither party needs to prove that the other spouse did something wrong or caused the breakdown of the marriage.…
The California Family Code governs various aspects of family law in the state, covering issues such as marriage, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic partnerships. It provides the legal framework for resolving family-related disputes, ensuring the protection…
In California civil cases, punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages when the defendant’s conduct is deemed particularly egregious, malicious, fraudulent, or reckless. The purpose of punitive damages is not to compensate the plaintiff but to punish the…
In California civil cases, damages are a monetary award given to a plaintiff as compensation for harm or loss suffered due to the defendant’s actions. The primary goal of damages is to make the plaintiff “whole” by compensating for actual…