California has uniform child support guidelines to calculate child support obligations. However, a judge is not bound by the guidelines. The judge can deviate from California’s child support guidelines in some situations. What Does the Law Say About Deviating From California’s Child Support Guidelines? Judges have the discretion to deviate from child support guidelines for good cause shown, according to the California Rules of Court. To deviate from the uniform child support guidelines, a judge must enter an order stating the court’s findings or state the findings on the record. The amount cal ..read more

Snapdragon Stadium, located on Stadium Way in San Diego, CA, hosts a wide variety of events. Parents often take their children there to see shows, concerts, sports, and other attractions. Generally, you don’t need to worry about whether you have the right to take your kids to Snapdragon Stadium. However, what if you share custody of your kids with your ex-partner? Can you take your children to Snapdragon Stadium on the days you have custody without notifying your ex? What Are a Parent’s Rights to Travel With Their Children if the Court Has Not Issued a Custody Order? Section 3010 of the Califo ..read more

If you have children, life after a divorce can be challenging. While you can divide property or assets in a way that never requires you to interact with your ex-spouse again, the same isn’t true for children. After the divorce, you will be subject to child custody rules and a parenting time order. This can limit your ability to spend meaningful time with your children. As a solo parent living in San Diego, one great option for spending time with your kids is watching the Padres play a game at Petco Park. The following five tips will help you make that experience as positive as possible: 1. Pla ..read more

According to CNN, the divorce rate dropped to 2.4 per 1,000 people in 2022, representing an ongoing trend. At the same time, people were also found to be getting married at slightly lower rates than they did 20 years ago, signifying that couples are being more intentional with their decisions to marry. Nevertheless, thousands of couples still get divorced every single year. And most of the affected individuals eventually (or sometimes rather quickly) get remarried in the hopes of finding happiness with their true lifelong partner.  If you’ve been divorced and are considering getting remar ..read more

San Diego is one of the most popular cities in California, known far and wide for its wonderful weather, beaches, and fun activities. One of the activities most loved by children and adults alike is a visit to the San Diego Zoo.  The San Diego Zoo is one of the most visited zoos in the United States. The facility houses about 4,000 animals on its 100 acres. Visitors can enjoy a unique experience with beautiful, cageless, and open-air exhibits that recreate the animals’ natural habitats. If you’re a solo parent interested in taking your kids to the San Diego Zoo, the idea alone can be inti ..read more

The 42nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is scheduled for March 16, 2024. It starts at 10:30 a.m. at Fifth Avenue & Laurel Street in San Diego, CA.  The parade is a popular family event. Kids love the festivities, but taking the family to the parade can be challenging, even when you have two parents to keep up with the kids. Divorced parents might find themselves taking their children to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego as solo parents, making the outing even more difficult. Are You Attending the St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a Single Parent?  If you are atte ..read more

What happens when you turn 18 years old and graduate high school? Are your divorced parents obligated to pay your San Diego University tuition fees for you? The short answer is “no.” No law requires parents in California to pay for their child’s college education after divorce. In most cases, child support ends when the child turns 18 years old, finishes high school, or turns 19, whichever occurs first. However, parents can make provisions in their child support and/or divorce agreement to share the costs of college tuition for their children. Parents may consider other options when deciding h ..read more

Marriages end for a variety of reasons, be they cases of adultery, abuse, or desertion. But sometimes, the reason is nothing more dramatic than two people simply growing apart. Situations like these are typically referred to as a “no-fault” divorce, as neither party is being blamed for the breakup.  Another term that’s commonly used when neither party is at fault is “irretrievably broken.” This is another way to say that both spouses want the marriage to be over, and neither one (officially) places the blame for the dissolution of the marriage on the other.  3 Common Reasons For Stat ..read more

Couples in California can legally separate instead of petitioning the court for a divorce. California is one of several states that recognize legal separation.  A couple must live “separate and apart” to be legally separated. Unfortunately, it may be too costly for couples to live in separate homes during separation. They may need to continue sharing living expenses so they can meet their basic needs. Importantly, a couple continues to accumulate marital assets unless they are living “separate and apart.” Marital assets are subject to California community property laws during a divorce.&n ..read more

A “traditional” family once consisted of two parents and a couple of kids. However, families come in all different shapes and sizes. Some families have one parent. Others may not have any parents because a couple chooses not to have children.  Today, a parent can be anyone who cares for a child. It could be the child’s grandparent, sibling, uncle, or aunt. It could be a family friend, foster parent, or adoptive parent. When someone other than the biological parent cares for a child, the court refers to the person as a de facto parent.  What Is a De Facto Parent in California? The Cal ..read more