Divorce Attorney in Westlake Village Blog

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 28-Mar-2019

What Is the Effect of Divorce on Spousal Privileges?

Marriage is a legally recognized relationship that is regulated by state law. That is because marriage affords individuals certain benefits and privileges that aren’t available otherwise. Married couples qualify for certain tax and welfare ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 19-Mar-2019

What Happens to My Pet in a Divorce?

For many people, their relationship with their pet can be comparable to that of a human child. It is often the case that a family dog or cat is essentially a member of the family. When a couple decides to get divorced, what is the law governing ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 20-Feb-2019

Getting to Work: Vocational Examinations and Spousal Support

Sometimes when spouses get a divorce, one spouse is at stark financial disadvantage compared to the other spouse. In particular, divorce cases where marriages that lasted for more than 10 years during which one spouse was unemployed the entire time ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 22-Jan-2019

California's Rules on Awarding Attorney's Fees

Litigating a divorce can be expensive, depending on the circumstances involved in a specific case. The relative wealth of the parties and the involvement of minor children can make divorce litigation a financially burdensome endeavor. In some cases, ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 14-Jan-2019

Gathering Evidence for Post-Divorce Litigation

When a couple receives a final judgment from the court regarding their divorce, that doesn’t mean they won’t find themselves before the divorce court in the future. A spouse’s obligations regarding spousal or child support may ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 26-Dec-2018

How Do California Courts Award Attorney's Fees Pending a Divorce?

In a divorce, sometimes one spouse makes substantially more money than the other spouse. Thus, when the couple gets divorced one party might have enough resources to hire a divorce attorney, while the other party does not. In these situations, a ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 18-Dec-2018

What Are Temporary Orders?

When a couple gets a divorce, the ensuing court proceedings can take anywhere between a few months to several years, depending on the complexity of the issues before the court. In particular, the court will hold a trial on issues such as property ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 29-Nov-2018

Cultural Considerations in Family Law Cases

person’s culture is part of their identity. We tend to share a system of values with other members who belong to the same culture. According to anthropologist E.B. Taylor, culture refers to “that complex whole which includes knowledge, ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 20-Nov-2018

Characterizing and Dividing Personal Injury Damages in California

Community property principals govern property division in a divorce proceeding under California law. Therefore, both spouses are presumably entitled to an equal share of all community property assets and liabilities. However, the marital community is ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 30-Oct-2018

Ethical Issues Involving Private Judges in Divorces

What Are Private Judges? The number of family law cases filed in California has become more than our courts can handle on their own. Unlike other court proceedings, divorce litigation doesn’t necessarily end after the court renders judgment. ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 22-Oct-2018

Enforcing Child Support Orders Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act

Each state has its own family law rules. For a while, these differences did not create a lot of problems; that is, until interstate travel became more available. Today, most Americans have the ability to relocate to another state within a few days. ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 24-Sep-2018

Surviving Life After Divorce, Year 1

Getting a divorce can be an emotionally and mentally exhausting process. Divorce proceedings can last anywhere from six months to several years, depending on the circumstances. In many cases, the process doesn’t end at getting a judicial decree ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 12-Sep-2018

How Do Your Student Loans Affect Your Divorce?

Money can be a touchy subject for married couples. In fact, financial issues can be a contributing factor in many divorces. Moreover, as the number of students incurring significant debt for their college education grows, so will the impact student ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 20-Aug-2018

Common Divorce Mistakes

Divorce can be one of the most emotionally overwhelming experiences of your life. However, there are several things you and your spouse can—and should—do to make the process easier. Unfortunately, couples often commit several common ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 11-Jul-2018

What You Need to Know About Divorce & Dual Citizenship

A divorce with children or a number of properties can complicate the process, but if one party is a dual citizen, things can get extremely complex. As international marriages climb in the United States, it is important to know about the rules that ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 26-Jun-2018

How Does Domestic Violence Affect the Divorce Process?

Domestic violence affects millions of American families each year, and it can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and even economic abuse. Over the past several decades, every state has enacted laws to protect abuse victims, and many of ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 11-Jun-2018

What Happens to My 401K During a Divorce?

Money is always a major consideration during the divorce process, and that includes a 401(k) retirement account. Aside from your home, a 401(k) could be your most significant financial asset, thus making it a contentious part of the divorce process. ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 11-Apr-2018

How to Find Hidden Assets

Finances are a central issue in any divorce, but what happens when your spouse decides to hide assets to avoid giving you your share? According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, spouses hide assets in 2 out of 3 marriages, which is ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 6-Mar-2018

5 Tips For Protecting Your Credit During Divorce

During divorce things can fall through the cracks, especially when your mind is busy thinking about your how often you’ll get to see your children and where you’ll be living for the meanwhile. Unfortunately, one of the concerns that many ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 22-Feb-2018

What Is the Divorce Process Like in California?

Procedures, laws, rules, forms, documents, and deadlines can complicate a divorce and push you past your emotional threshold. Direction, and understanding the seemingly endless process of separation, can not only give you peace of mind but also ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 31-Jan-2018

How to Protect Your Property and Assets in a Divorce

Property division is one of the most notoriously contentious, complex, and frustrating parts of divorce—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Sure, there’s bound to be a squabble or two over who gets what, but there are a few things ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 26-Dec-2017

What You Need to Know About Moving After a Divorce

In many divorce cases, a parent decides to move away with the kids to start a new job or a new life. Whatever the reason may be, when a parent wants to move, difficult decisions need to be made regarding where the children will live and how the other ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 20-Nov-2017

When Divorcing an Abusive Spouse, Take Precautions to Stay Safe

Spouses who are victims of domestic violence – including physical violence and emotional abuse – need to consider filing for divorce as soon as possible to get out of the dangerous living situation. However, the mere act of considering a ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 6-Nov-2017

When is Your Divorce Finalized & Over?

Most people who want to divorce want to do so with as little delay as possible. Understandably, the urge to leave an unhappy relationship can be quite strong and there can be a feeling of wanting to rush things. In other situations, divorcing without ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 27-Sep-2017

Why You Should Stay Off Social Media During Your Divorce

Social media is no longer the rarity it once was back when it first hit the internet. Nowadays, nearly everyone is connected through one or more social media platforms, sharing pictures, thoughts, and details of their everyday activities or travels. ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 20-Sep-2017

Dating During a Divorce - Is It A Good Idea?

If you and your spouse have decided to move forward with a divorce, it might feel like the right time to begin your new life and find a new companion by re-entering the dating pool. This is often a big mistake, however, and can have a negative impact ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 12-Sep-2017

Six Common Reasons People Get Divorced

Even the best marriage takes work and requires sacrifice, but not every marriage is destined for a happily ever after, even when both spouses do their best to field their way through each problem with an earnest effort. While there are a myriad of ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 28-Aug-2017

Common Divorce Myths

We have all likely heard secondhand accounts of divorce, or read news stories of celebrity divorces in magazines, or even watched dramatic depictions of it on television and on the silver screen. However, these often just perpetuate myths rather than ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 21-Aug-2017

Will Remarriage Affect My Divorce?

Your marriage is effectively over when the judge signs the divorce decree, but that does not mean your arrangement is set in stone. Just as life is ever-changing, so is your divorce. If you are receiving or paying spousal support or child support, ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 14-Aug-2017

Mistakes to Avoid in High Asset Divorce

Divorce is not only an emotionally taxing experience, but can be financially complicated as well. Given the intense feelings you might be experiencing during this time, one can easily make any number of financial mishaps, especially if you are in the ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 7-Aug-2017

Who Gets Pet Custody?

Pets are a major part of our lives and we tend to think of our animal companions as family members. Unfortunately, in a divorce, deciding who gets the pet can be tricky since the law has not yet caught up with society’s attachment to family ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 19-Jul-2017

Kid-Friendly Day Trips in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks & Nearby

For a divorced parent, an unexpected challenge can be deciding what to do with their children during visitation hours or during their portion of a shared custody agreement. Parents understandably want to make every minute count with their children ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 17-Jul-2017

How is Debt Divided During a Divorce in California?

During property division in a divorce, it can feel like a land-grab for desirable assets and property. Neither spouse will be eager to claim debt, though. When it comes to debt division, it can feel like everyone loses, but it must be done for the ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 10-Jul-2017

Common Divorce Alternatives

Many people often think the only way to end a marriage is with a divorce, which could potentially be long, arduous, contentious, and expensive. However, the people who often think this are the ones who are unaware that numerous alternatives to ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 7-Jul-2017

Will I Have to Go to Court For My Divorce?

There are many things that people fear when it comes to a divorce, including the possibility that they may be subjected to a long, strenuous, and expensive courtroom battle. For many people, the fear of this obstacle could be what keeps them living ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 20-Jun-2017

High Net Worth Divorce | West Lake Divorce Attorney

Divorces are difficult in general, but when one or both spouses have a high net worth, dividing assets can be complex. In your divorce, you will want to protect your assets. Learn more about how high net worth divorces are different from normal ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 17-May-2017

Tips to Prepare for a Divorce

Ending a marriage is a difficult decision, and is likely to lead to the complicated process of a divorce. Once the decision has been made, a couple will need to prepare to file their divorce, divide their assets and liabilities, determine child ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 31-Jan-2017

Why January Is the Busiest Time for Divorces

With all the holiday décor packed away and the New Year setting in, many divorce lawyers often notice an increase in divorce cases. There are many reasons why this happens, but our Westlake Village divorce attorney put together a list of the ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 3-Jan-2017

Three New Year's Resolutions for a Divorcee

Divorce is an emotional time in anyone’s life. Even though it may be sad, it can also be filled with many happy and hopeful feelings. If you are going through a divorce or considering divorce during the beginning of the year, consider making ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 24-Nov-2016

When is Notarization Required for a California Divorce

In significant legal situations that penalizes individuals if they are not who they claim they are, courts often require notarization of your signature. In regards to divorce proceedings, some documents must be notarized while others do not. Notaries ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 5-Sep-2016

Grandparent's Visitation Rights in California

According to California Family Code section 3100, the family court may grant reasonable visitation rights to the grandparent of a minor child. The following are the three basic situations in which grandparent visitation rights are given: A parent has ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 31-Aug-2016

Advantages of a Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement is a contract created and signed by a couple before they marry regarding the ownership of their respective property and assets in the event the marriage fails. However, asking your spouse to agree to one may be a challenge ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 4-Aug-2016

Things to Consider Before Divorce

Choosing to end your marriage is a painful decision to make. Many couples come into our offices unsure of what to expect during the divorce process. At Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff,me and my staff understand each family is different but over the ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 10-Apr-2016

Is a DIY Divorce Worth It?

You might think that handling your divorce on your own is simpler. After all, it is your right to choose whether or not you wish to have an attorney or represent yourself in any legal proceeding. Self-representation, or handling your divorce on your ...

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Graff 27-Jan-2016

Infidelity & Divorce in California

Does infidelity have an effect on the outcome or the proceedings in your divorce case? After discovering that your spouse has been unfaithful, it now comes the time to make the right decision for your happiness as well as your future. The trust has ...

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