Blog Posts in December, 2010
Posted on Dec 26, 2010 By Thurman Arnold, CFLS
Family Court May Be The Common Denominator For Many Families When Relationship Conflicts Require Intervention, But It Should Always Be Recognized As The Forum Of Last Resort ! California Family Courts ...
Continue reading "MEDIATION Is a BETTER ALTERNATIVE To FAMILY COURT For Some" »
Posted on Dec 21, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. I was married in June, 2008 as Patricia B. to Jill G. I obtained a name and gender change court decree several months later. We now want to marry as a different-sex couple. Do we need to first ...
Continue reading "We Married As a California SAME-SEX Couple But Since I Have Completed My SEX-CHANGE OPERATION. " »
Posted on Dec 20, 2010 By Thurman Arnold, CFLS
Family Code section 3183, which governs custody mediators who are required by Family Code section 3160 to be offered by all California Superior Courts, has been revised effective 1/1/11 to mandate ...
Continue reading "2011 REVISIONS to the California FAMILY CODE: "CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELORS"" »
Posted on Dec 19, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. My attorney has used the word "tracings" several times, and I really don't understand how this works. Can you give me a simple explanation? A. Unlikely (sorry!). Tracings may be ...
Continue reading "What Are TRACINGS In California DIVORCE Proceedings? Tossed Salad and Mixed Vegetables!" »
Posted on Dec 18, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. Thurman - who do you recommend for court reporting services in the Coachella Valley? I work with an insurance defense firm in Sacramento, and we have a case pending in the desert and have a number ...
Continue reading "Which COURT REPORTING FIRM Do You Recommend in the Coachella Valley?" »
Posted on Dec 18, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
A Cautionary Tale : How Not to Run Your Separation and Custody Battle Los Angeles Family Law Mediator Forrest S. Mosten recently shared this newsworthy trial court opinion with me, and it is making ...
Continue reading "Ontario, Canada Trial Court Finds PARENTAL ALIENATION - An Example of How Not To Behave!" »
Posted on Dec 15, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
I have residential property in La Quinta My wife and I are divorcing and in the process of splitting assets. She and her parents employed * * * of * * * in Palm Desert to value the property. I'd ...
Continue reading "REPUTABLE APPRAISERS in the PALM SPRINGS VICINITY: Appraising RESIDENCE in DIVORCE" »
Posted on Dec 15, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. I have a question about proposing legislation to fill a loophole in the Family Code section 4058 definition of gross income, as it relates to net ERISA disability benefits. Under Family Code ...
Continue reading "IS LEGISLATION NEEDED To Redefine "GROSS INCOME" Under Family Code Section 4085?" »
Posted on Dec 14, 2010 By Thurman Arnold, CFLS
Effective January 1, 2011, Family Code section 3027 has been amended to authorize courts to "take any reasonable, temporary steps as the court, in its discretion, deems appropriate... to protect ...
Continue reading "2011 REVISIONS to the California Family Code: Child Abuse and Temporary Orders" »
Posted on Dec 13, 2010 By Thurman Arnold, CFLS
Effective January 1, 2011, you may serve post-judgment motions to modify custody, visitation, or child support orders by regular mail and file with the Court a declaration of mailing. This is revised ...
Continue reading "2011 REVISIONS to the California Family Code: Serving POST-JUDGMENT OSC's and MOTIONS" »
Posted on Dec 12, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. I found Ellen Kellner's book " The Pro Child Way, Parenting With An Ex " on your website some weeks ago, and ordered it from Amazon.com. I have been eagerly reading it, especially ...
Continue reading "ELLEN KELLNER'S CO-PARENTING BOOK Inspired Me: How Can I Get My Ex Into Counseling? " »
Posted on Dec 5, 2010 By Thurman Arnold III, CFLS
Along with other changes to the California Family Code brought about by the Elkins Committee's recommendations, Family Code section 3121 has been amended to make its language consistent with ...
Continue reading "ATTORNEY FEES In CUSTODY Cases: 2011 Family Code Amendments" »
Posted on Dec 4, 2010 By Thurman Arnold, CLFS
December is new legislation month at the Enlightened Divorce Blog™ presented by southern California Family Law Attorney Thurman W. Arnold. My goal is to inform you well, and early on, on any ...
Continue reading "Making Attorneys Accessible to Family Law Litigants: 2011 ATTORNEY FEE REVISIONS TO THE FAMILY CODE" »
Posted on Dec 3, 2010 By Thurman Arnold, CFLS
The most important new rule in decades affecting the experience of California Family Law litigants is set to be unleashed on January 1, 2011. It promises a radical change in the way that all family ...
Continue reading "ELKINS and New FAMILY CODE SECTION 217: How It AFFECTS YOU!" »
Posted on Dec 1, 2010 By Thurman W. Arnold, III, CFLS
AB 1090, sponsored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, becomes law on January 1, 2011 as revised Family Code section 3042. It directs courts to allow children age 14 or over to testify about their custody ...
Continue reading "New Family Code Section 3042 - Will It Serve to Accelerate the GENDER CUSTODY WARS?" »
Posted on Dec 1, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. We have a hearing coming up before the Christmas holidays over custody and visitation issues. I believe my children should testify in court about their father's living conditions, as well as ...
Continue reading "Can My CHILDREN TESTIFY About Their PARENT PREFERENCE in Our Custody Case?" »
Posted on Dec 1, 2010 By Thurman Arnold
Q. I have heard that children will be able to decide which parent they want to live with in 2011, is this true? A. No. However, at certain ages their input may become more important to courts in ...
Continue reading "What STANDARDS Are JUDGES Likely to APPLY When A REQUEST FOR CHILD TESTIMONY Is Made?" »