FAQ: Child Custody and Relocation Cases – What factors will the court assess?
Child custody lawyer Matt Purcell discusses common client confusion around relocation cases and how the court will consider situations where one divorced parent wants or needs to move away from the other co-parent. This is part 3 in the series.
Read MoreFAQ: Child Custody and Relocation Cases – Why can’t I just move away?
Child custody lawyer Matt Purcell discusses common client confusion around relocation cases and how the court will consider situations where one divorced parent wants or needs to move away from the other co-parent. This is part 2 in the series.
Read MoreFAQ: Child Custody and Relocation Cases – How far can I move?
Child custody lawyer Matt Purcell discusses common client confusion around relocation cases and how the court will consider situations where one divorced parent wants or needs to move away from the other co-parent.
Read MoreCalifornia Prop. 64 and Child Custody Orders: What’s the Buzz?
Does the legalization of recreational marijuana affect my child custody orders? My co-parent gets high sometimes. When the clock strikes midnight in California this new year, hundreds of new laws will go into effect. A big one for 2018 is the legalization of recreational marijuana use. If you hav...
Read MoreVideo / At what age can a child of divorce choose where to live?
Attorney Matt Purcell explains the simple answer to this common question. Watch our conversation with FPS attorney Matt Purcell to learn the simple answer to the common question “When can my kid decide which parent she lives with?” While the answer is simple, the implications are comp...
Read MoreCalifornia Child Custody Cases: Sanchez Ruling Affects Use of Experts, Evaluators, and Evidence
People v. Sanchez: New Ruling Affects Use of Experts / Custody Evaluators and the Rules of Evidence in Family Court In custody cases, attorneys frequently use child custody evaluators to provide professional opinions and recommendations. Evaluators prepare a report that is submitted to the court ...
Read MoreThe Costly Myth of the “730 Evaluation” in Child Custody Proceedings
Money and time could be wasted when a “730 evaluation” is ordered — but not defined — during child custody proceedings. What is a “730 evaluation?” It is a common misinterpretation of the law that plagues not just ill-informed parties but also attorneys and judicial office...
Read MoreWhen and Why You May Need a “Court-Ordered” Paternity Test
Under the California Family Code, the only results that count when it comes to a paternity test are of the “court-ordered” variety. Myriad daytime television talk shows have made great drama out of paternity tests. I caught one the other day (on happenstance, while sick in bed) and it got me thin...
Read MoreWhich Path is for You? Collaborative Divorce, Mediation or Traditional Litigation
Understand the risks and rewards of mediation and collaborative divorce options; protect against dead ends. Divorce and custody litigation can be extraordinarily unpleasant. For some, family law cases are expensive, time consuming, inefficient and unpredictable. Alternatives like mediation and “c...
Read MoreChild Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC): Be clear on the goal.
Understanding CCRC in “Recommending” California Counties It is imperative that a parent understand the goal of Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC), before taking part in it. California mandates that parents attend CCRC prior to the court making any orders when either parent seeks custody...
Read More