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Contact the Law Office of Thurman W. Arnold III
225 South Civic Drive Suite 1-3 Palm Springs, CA 92262


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Photo Courtesy of Palm Springs Artist Max Von Wening

Welcome to the Mindful Divorce Blog!

(The Most Complete Source of On-Line Divorce Information in the Country
- We Now Regularly Receive 12,000 Visitors Each Month)

This Divorce Blog is intended to offer solutions to situations that people commonly encounter in relationship break up, anywhere in California. My vision is larger than simply to attract clients to our family law firm, although that is my desire too. I hope to help demystify the law and the procedures surrounding family court litigation. I also want to share client and interest's centered peacemaking and mediation philosophies and pointers, and to explore the best current practices in the mental health sciences that might apply to your circumstances. To add the Arnold California Family Law Blog onto your browser window toolbar, click here.

Please feel free to write a comment on any blog. I have invested many hours in making these materials accessible, and I ask you to tell me what works for you and what doesn't work. If I do not succeed in being transparent, useful and understandable, please tell me what might improve the site. Everything you find here is original material. I am much more likely to respond to a comment than an email because I cannot respond to every inquiry.

The family law search engine (very upper right hand corner of every page) may aid you in finding valuable and relevant information according to your circumstances. I maintain five websites, and the search engines on each cross over to material on all the others. The other four sites are:

I also provide a Family Law Statutes Page listing over 300 California Family Code sections along with relevant court rules and other statutes. There is commentary about them throughout these sites. 

If you wish to receive my Blogs in real-time as each is published, click "Subscribe in a Reader" and "Subscribe to this Feed" below.

Finally, I offer a Family Law Forms Page which includes the California Judicial Council mandatory and optional forms with instructions on when and how to use them, and am regularly adding blogs, articles, and other useful materials. 

~ T.W. Arnold III, CFLS ~

 attorney wes arnold and his dog jake
Thurman and "Jake" Arnold



Recent Posts
  • Court Upholds PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT Where Wife Alleged Husband Falsely Stated Net Worth
  • Attorney Michael C. Peterson Speaks About FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY (Before and Once Divorce Happens)
  • Attorney Michael C. Peterson JOINS the Law Firm of Thurman W. Arnold!
  • 2nd Appellate District Severely Limits GRANDPARENT VISITATION Under Family Code Section 3102
  • Wife Bears Own ATTORNEY FEES In Failed SET ASIDE MOTION Involving MSA
  • Proposed 2012 REVISIONS to JUDICIAL COUNCIL FORMS; ATTORNEY FEE REQUESTS
  • GRANDPARENT RIGHTS: Recent RIVERSIDE Case Orders VISITATION To GP After DEATH OF PARENT
  • DEVIATING From "Guideline" (Presumptively Correct) CHILD SUPPORT in HIGH EARNER Cases
  • SECOND OPINIONS With THURMAN W. ARNOLD - Honest Feedback on Family Law Matters
  • Marriage of MARGULIS - Fiduciary Duties of MANAGING SPOUSES
  • Thurman Arnold Comments Featured in August, 2011, CALIFORNIA LAWYER MAGAZINE
  • IRMO MARGULIS - Managing Spouse Has BURDEN OF PROOF To Explain MISSING ASSETS
  • Divorce and Family Lawyers Who LIE - EQUANIMITY and DIVORCE PRACTICE
  • APPLE LION and VMWare- Upgrading Your Virtual Computer to Run Flawlessly With the New OS X
  • Can I CONTINUE My DIVORCE TRIAL?
  • FREE LEGAL ADVICE for DIVORCE - I Cannot Possibly Respond to Everybody!
  • The MINUTE ORDER In My Case Differs From What The JUDGE SAID But My Ex Says We Must Follow It - What Can I Do?
  • I Am Filing for Divorce and Believe My Spouse is Hiding Funds in a SAFE DEPOSIT BOX. What Can I Do?
  • Recovering UNINSURED HEALTH COSTS as Additional CHILD SUPPORT
  • Pointers for Dealing With FAMILY COURT JUDGES (Difficult and Otherwise) - What Every Lawyer and PRO PER Should Know!
  • Court Upholds SPOUSAL SUPPORT WAIVER In PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT
  • Announcing the Launch of LAFMS - DIVORCE and FAMILY LAW MEDIATION in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills!
  • FORM OF TITLE Trumps COMMUNITY PROPERTY PRESUMPTION Where Life Insurance Is An Asset in DIVORCE
  • RECURRING GIFTS From Parents May Be "INCOME" For Purposes of Determining Need for ATTORNEY FEES!
  • Marriage of Davenport: Trial Court SANCTIONS Wife Under FC Section 271 for Her ATTORNEYS' "UNBRIDLED AGGRESSION" In Family Court Proceedings!
  • San Diego Trial Court REVERSED (Again) in MOVE-AWAY Case
  • Announcing the REVENGE of ELKINS - How Family Courts Are Making Your DIVORCE More Expensive Than Ever Before!
  • I Have DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Restraining Orders Against My Child's Mother: The Family Court Services Mediator Recommended a Week Off/Week On VISITATION Schedule. Is This Right?
  • 271 SANCTIONS Ordered Against PRO PER ATTORNEY - Lawyers Are Some of the Most Conflicted Parties to Matrimonial Litigation
  • Local Businesses: Who Is the Best Audio/TV Specialist in Palm Springs?
  • Are WORKER'S COMPENSATION BENEFITS Community Property? Yes and No!
  • Announcing Rattlesnake Season as Officially Open in Palm Springs!~
  • San Diego Trial Court REVERSED for Failing to Exercise An "INFORMED DISCRETION" in Refusing to Permit Sole Legal Custody Father Who Had PRIMARY PHYSICAL CUSTODY to MOVE OUT OF STATE
  • I Have My Ex-Husband's EMAIL PASSWORD and Found Email That Proves His INABILITY TO PARENT - How Do I Present This to the Family Court?
  • What Is the TIME LIMIT For Filing a RESPONSIVE or REPLY DECLARATION in Family Law Proceedings?
  • TAX TIME Advice for SEPARATED COUPLES About JOINT TAX RETURNS
  • Overcoming the PRESUMPTION Against SPOUSAL SUPPORT in DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Cases
  • For Attorneys Only: Announcing LEGAL WEBSITE OPTIMIZATION By AttorneyWebWizard.com
  • What to Do If My CASE Is Being TRANSFERRED BETWEEN COURTS in Riverside County?
  • Local Businesses: Who Has the Best CHINESE FOOD in Palm Springs?
  • FAMILY LAW SANCTIONS and DUE PROCESS: Santa Barbara Trial Court Reversed in IRMO DURIS
  • More on Marriage of FONG: Obtaining SANCTIONS for UNCOOPERATIVE CONDUCT IN DIVORCE LITIGATION
  • Making DIVORCE JUDGES ACCOUNTABLE - What Is A STATEMENT OF DECISION?
  • How Do I DISQUALIFY The JUDGE Assigned to My Case?
  • SANCTIONS For Failure to Complete the FINAL DECLARATION OF DISCLOSURE
  • Must I Submit My TAX RETURNS to the COURT or to the OTHER PARTY?
  • Alternatives to Family Court and the Challenge of Mediating Cases With Strong Emotions
  • MEDIATION Is a BETTER ALTERNATIVE To FAMILY COURT For Some
  • We Married As a California SAME-SEX Couple But Since I Have Completed My SEX-CHANGE OPERATION.
  • 2011 REVISIONS to the California FAMILY CODE: "CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELORS"
  • What Are TRACINGS In California DIVORCE Proceedings? Tossed Salad and Mixed Vegetables!
  • Which COURT REPORTING FIRM Do You Recommend in the Coachella Valley?
  • Ontario, Canada Trial Court Finds PARENTAL ALIENATION - An Example of How Not To Behave!
  • REPUTABLE APPRAISERS in the PALM SPRINGS VICINITY: Appraising RESIDENCE in DIVORCE
  • IS LEGISLATION NEEDED To Redefine "GROSS INCOME" Under Family Code Section 4085?
  • 2011 REVISIONS to the California Family Code: Child Abuse and Temporary Orders
  • 2011 REVISIONS to the California Family Code: Serving POST-JUDGMENT OSC's and MOTIONS
  • ELLEN KELLNER'S CO-PARENTING BOOK Inspired Me: How Can I Get My Ex Into Counseling?
  • ATTORNEY FEES In CUSTODY Cases: 2011 Family Code Amendments
  • Making Attorneys Accessible to Family Law Litigants: 2011 ATTORNEY FEE REVISIONS TO THE FAMILY CODE
  • ELKINS and New FAMILY CODE SECTION 217: How It AFFECTS YOU!
  • New Family Code Section 3042 - Will It Serve to Accelerate the GENDER CUSTODY WARS?
  • Can My CHILDREN TESTIFY About Their PARENT PREFERENCE in Our Custody Case?
  • What STANDARDS Are JUDGES Likely to APPLY When A REQUEST FOR CHILD TESTIMONY Is Made?
  • The TIME PERIODS for FILING SET ASIDE MOTIONS DEPENDS....
  • WHY Should I Consider a LEGAL SEPARATION?
  • Is It Possible to Get My Ex's TAX RETURNS Without Any MOTION to MODIFY Pending Between Us?
  • What Do I Do to Protect My Community Interest In PERS and STRS RETIREMENT PLANS?
  • How Can I STOP My Spouse From LIQUIDATING OUR COMMUNITY PENSION?
  • Are STOCK OPTIONS COMMUNITY PROPERTY?
  • JAKE ARNOLD Turns SIX!
  • How Long Do DOMESTIC PARTNERS Have to Wait to DISSOLVE Their Partnership?
  • How Do I Get An Order for ATTORNEY FEES in a COMPLEX CASE?
  • Our Disso is Final But We Never Changed the JOINT TENANCY DEEDS. My Ex Just DIED.
  • What does "COMMUNITY PROPERTY WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP" Mean?
  • TIPS on How to CONTINUE a SUPPORT HEARING and Buy Time
  • How Do I Use a MARITAL BALANCE SHEET to Figure Out How to Best DIVIDE OUR PROPERTY?
  • I Have Been Paying the MORTGAGE Since SEPARATION - Am I Entitled to WATTS CREDITS?
  • My Ex Has Been EXCLUSIVELY USING Our RESIDENCE - Is There an EPSTEIN CREDIT For This?
  • How Does DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Affect My SPOUSAL SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS?
  • How Can I Be Sure a Court Will Enforce My AGREEMENT Reached With My Spouse OUT OF COURT?
  • Am I Entitled to Obtain DISCOVERY If I File a SET ASIDE MOTION Before the Matter is Decided?
  • My Wife is Living With a Male Renter - Does This Affect My SUPPORT OBLIGATION?
  • How Are Funds in a JOINT BANK ACCOUNT Treated in Dissolution or Legal Separation?
  • ENFORCING SUPPORT: What is a REAL PROPERTY LIEN?
  • How do CALIFORNIA COURTS divide EDUCATION LOANS?
  • When Is It Possible to Keep the FAMILY RESIDENCE From Being Sold?
  • How are DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS divided in California DIVORCE?
  • How Are DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS divided in California Divorce?
  • How Do I DISQUALIFY a Judge From Hearing My Case?
  • My Husband and I Want to Informally DIVIDE OUR PROPERTY. What are some IDEAS for How We Go About It?
  • What do I do if my spouse or domestic partner does not complete their DECLARATION OF DISCLOSURE?
  • DISCOVERY - How are DEPOSITIONS used in California FAMILY LAW and DIVORCE cases? (Part I)
  • DISCOVERY in California Marital Proceedings - What Are Requests for Admission?
  • What is DISCOVERY in California Dissolution and Family Law Cases? (Part 1 - Form Interrogatories)
  • What is a SUMMARY DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP DISSOLUTION?
  • Is a PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT signed without an attorney ENFORCEABLE?
  • Does MOORE MARSDEN appy to IMPROVEMENTS we made to our RESIDENCE during marriage?
  • What should I know if I want to LIMIT or TERMINATE SPOUSAL SUPPORT in the future?
  • What is a GAVRON WARNING and how does it affect my right to SPOUSAL SUPPORT?
  • "PARENTAL ALIENATION" at the 2010 AFCC Conference
  • Proposed Text for a new diagnosis of PARENTAL ALIENATION in the DSM-V
  • AFCC Conference in Denver, June 2-5, 2010
  • I thought my PARTNER had REGISTERED our DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP but she says she didn't. Do I have rights?
  • Announcing the Opening of DESERT FAMILY MEDIATION SERVICES!
  • What is FAMILY SUPPORT?
  • What METHODS are used for VALUING BUSINESSES in divorce?
  • What is HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD status for IRS purposes?
  • Must I file a JOINT TAX RETURN if we are not yet divorced?
  • What are the TAX CONSEQUENCES of CHILD SUPPORT and SPOUSAL SUPPORT?
  • When are ASSETS VALUED for purposes of DIVISION in a California DISSOLUTION?
  • My husband was HOSPITALIZED after we SEPARATED; am I liable for the bill?
  • What do I do about SPOUSAL SUPPORT if my ex-spouse is COHABITING with another man?
  • Is there any way to request that the Judge RECONSIDER her rulings in my case?
  • What are EPSTEIN REIMBURSEMENTS?
  • What does it mean that a judge has ordered a 730 EVALUATION in my custody case?
  • When do SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS commence after divorce?
  • Are SOCIAL SECURITY benefits income for purposes of SUPPORT calculations?
  • What SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS may be paid to CHILDREN?
  • What SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS are paid upon the DEATH of a SPOUSE after DIVORCE
  • SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS and REMARRIAGE for divorced spouses
  • Will California recognize a SAME SEX MARRIAGE from Vermont?
  • Do I need a COHABITATION AGREEMENT?
  • How Do I Get the Court to Order My Husband to be HAIR FOLLICLE tested?
  • Will the Court DRUG TEST My Wife?
  • How Do I Defend a Request by My (Former) Spouse to SET ASIDE our Support Orders?
  • What Are My Rights When I Believe My Spouse Committed Fraud in Their Income & Expense Statement?
  • What happens to FEES I deposited if I FIRE my ATTORNEY?
  • What happens to the FEES I give an ATTORNEY?
  • What is a Family Law Retainer Agreement?
  • I've heard that CHILDREN can state their PREFERENCE at 13....
  • How do COURTS decide to award JOINT CUSTODY?
  • When can I file for LEGAL SEPARATION in CALIFORNIA?
  • How do I FIRE my ATTORNEY?
  • When I get MARRIED, how do I avoid my husband's DEBT?
  • Am I LIABLE for my husband's NURSING HOME DEBT?
  • Am I LIABLE for my husband's GAMBLING DEBTS?
  • Q. Who is liable for debts that we assign between us in our divorce settlement?
  • DCSS INTERCEPTED my TAX REFUND with my new Husband.
  • What is GUIDELINE SUPPORT in California?
  • I am remarried. How does my NEW MATE'S INCOME affect my SPOUSAL SUPPORT or CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION?
  • What does a VOLUNTARY DECLARATION OF PATERNITY (VDOP) do in California?
  • Is a WAIVER OF SPOUSAL SUPPORT in a PRENUP VALID?
  • BIFURCATION of MARITAL STATUS
  • OVERVIEW OF CUSTODY APPLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES in California
  • PRELIMINARY DECLARATION OF DISCLOSURE in California (PDD's)
  • FORM 8332 is required to release DEPENDENCY EXEMPTIONS to Father awarded deduction!
  • Who OWES CHILD SUPPORT?
  • Can CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS be made RETROACTIVE?
  • How long does a CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION continue?
  • My ex wife has twice taken the DEPENDENCY EXEMPTION. I am supposed to get alternate years.
  • How does one begin to become MINDFUL during DIVORCE?
  • What should I do before selecting a divorce attorney?
  • Am I LIABLE for my husband's CHILD SUPPORT ARREARS from his first marriage?
  • Are my EARNINGS during marriage LIABLE for my spouse's PREMARRIAGE DEBTS?
  • Am I liable for my husband's BUSINESS DEBTS?
  • My Wife caused a CAR ACCIDENT. Am I LIABLE too?
  • Must I pay any of my husband's STUDENT LOAN if we DIVORCE?
  • If my Wife and I are separated, do I have to pay the CREDIT CARDS she ran up after leaving?
  • Am I LIABLE for my spouse's PREMARITAL DEBT?
  • Why is the date of PHYSICAL SEPARATION legally important?
  • What Is a LEGAL SEPARATION in California?
  • What are interspousal FIDUCIARY DUTIES?
  • I have an attorney but what if I want a SECOND OPINION?
  • My wife she used her INHERITANCE to buy our home. We are getting divorced.
  • My Husband Is Receiving A PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT. Am I Entitled To Any of It?
  • My New Wife Works. Can this NEW MATE INCOME Be Used to Increase my CHILD SUPPORT?
  • How Are SOCIAL SECURITY benefits Treated In DIVORCE?
  • What is permanent SPOUSAL SUPPORT in California?
  • How is TEMPORARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT Determined in California?
  • ENFORCING SUPPORT ORDERS in California
  • GRANDPARENT CUSTODY in California.
  • How Do I CHANGE VENUE in a divorce?
  • Idaho Trial Court Rules that Mother Cannot Move to Michigan, Even Without the Kids!
  • I am a COMMON LAW spouse under Canadian law. We have been living in California for 4 years and acquired property.
  • This Blog is intended to be informational, and its use or a response by me to inquiries from you do not establish or constitute an attorney-client relationship with our firm. Use of this website is subject to the terms of our DISCLAIMER. The contents of this Blog do not and cannot predict any outcome in your case, and our comments should not be considered as controlling or even correct as to your particular facts and situation. Each case must be analyzed on its own merits and California Family Law is constantly changing and evolving! We urge you to seek competent legal advice in your community specific to your circumstances.

    Thurman Arnold is available to consult with and to advise Californians by Webcam

    (including Second Opinions).

    If you interested in learning about Divorce Mediation Click Here

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    Address: 225 South Civic Drive   Suite 1-3   Palm Springs, CA 92262            Phone: (760) 320-7915 

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