In the realm of family law, divorces involving significant assets, commonly known as high-asset divorces, present unique challenges and complexities.  These divorces typically involve substantial financial holdings, extensive property ownership, intricate business interests, and various investments. As such, they require meticulous attention to detail and strategic planning to ensure equitable outcomes for all parties involved. Here, we delve into what constitutes a high-asset divorce and emphasize the crucial role that legal counsel plays in navigating this intricate terrain. Determining ..read more

Probate Court can refer cases to Juvenile Dependency under CA Probate Code Section 1513 (b). If a case comes before the Probate Court in which the minor child appears to be at substantial risk for abuse and neglect or being abused or neglected, or the sibling of a child is such, by way of Welfare & Institutions Code Section 300, the probate judge files a written referral to Child Welfare services. The judge must include the reason or reasons for the referral and can include substantive filed documents, which can include a report from an investigator. When this occurs,  the child welfa ..read more

What is a relative or close family member do when Child Welfare removes  a minor child from his or her parents? Do Relatives have rights? Do close family friends have rights? Yes! When a child is removed from his or her home, Child Welfare must find a safe residence for the child to reside. Residence can include a receiving home (for a short time period), foster home, a group home, placement with a relative, and/or placement with a NRFM. A NRFM is an adult who is a close friend who is known and trusted by the family. A relative includes, but is not limited to, a grandparent, an aunt or un ..read more

San Diego currently has three different courthouses, each of which is home to at least one Department set aside for Juvenile Dependency Hearings. The main Juvenile Courthouse is at 2851 Meadowlark Drive in central San Diego. This Courthouse is often known as the Meadowlark Juvenile Court because the Courthouse itself is tabbed to hear only matters involving children. Three Juvenile Dependency departments are strictly for Juvenile Dependency, although, on occasion, Child Welfare cases will go to the Assistant Presiding or Presiding Judge’s Courtroom for a hearing. However, this usually only occ ..read more

Divorce often brings to light significant difficulties that may be happening in a marriage, especially abuse. If you find yourself in an abusive situation, a divorce restraining order can literally save your life. The State of California takes requests for domestic violence restraining orders very seriously, as they can be used to: • Prevent individuals from keeping a gun or ammunition. • Prevent an abusive partner from going near you and/or others. • Require the restrained party to obey child support and custody instructions. • Order the restrained party to move out of a residence ..read more

During the Summer of 2023, the County of San Diego began implementation of their newly created Child and Family Well-Being Department. Branded as a “new approach” to empowering parents, child, and extended family support, the goal is to utilize resources to strengthen the family unit and address issues that may lead to abuse or neglect. Ideally, the unit is tasked with reducing child protective actions, and most notably, actions that separate children from their families, with a cross-sector collaborative approach. Child Welfare Services, Behavioral Health Services, Juvenile Probation, San Die ..read more

In California, the Office of the Attorney General controls the Child Abuse Central Index (aka CACI).  CACI is a registry containing names of those whose the Attorney General deems have abused children.  This abuse can be in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, medical neglect, or more general abuse or neglect.  CACI data includes the name of the suspect and victim, agency that conclusively investigated the incident and sent the information to the registry, and specifics as to the manner of the abuse. CACI was originally established as a way to protect child ..read more

In the intricate web of marriage, trust and transparency serve as the cornerstone for a healthy relationship. However, when it comes to financial matters, the issue of transparency often becomes blurred, paving the way for financial abuse to creep in. In this blog post, we delve into the shadows of financial abuse within marriages and emphasize the paramount importance of both partners being fully informed about their financial status. Understanding Financial Abuse:   Financial abuse, a form of domestic violence, involves controlling or exploiting a partner’s financial resources to gain p ..read more

What is Juvenile Dependency Court?   Juvenile Dependency Court was formed to address five important goals: To ensure all children have a safe home  To assist to preserve the family unit whenever possible by providing services which enhance and improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of children, while identifying and addressing potential issues which could lead to an unsafe environment If a child cannot be in his or her home of origin, to place children first in a safe home with relatives or friend, and if not, a safe approved foster home When a child cannot be returned t ..read more

In San Diego, like in many other jurisdictions, family law plays a crucial role in resolving disputes related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and support. Among the various statutes governing family law, Family Code 271 holds particular significance. This code section addresses the issue of sanctions in family law proceedings, aiming to promote settlement and discourage behavior that drives up the costs of litigation. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the nuances of San Diego Family Code 271 sanctions, exploring its purpose, application, and implications for families navigating t ..read more