It’s no secret that the Golden State is a costly place to live. California home values and rents are among the highest in the nation, and housing costs have soared over the last few years. “Divorced and separated couples are facing their worst nightmare: sharing a house with the person they want to get away from,” the Wall Street Journal reported near the end of last year. “Behind the uneasy arrangement is the housing market. Mortgage rates are over 7%, and home prices have hit record highs.” And, says WSJ, “Some people on the brink of divorce are pulling back from actually filing because of u ..read more

It’s hard to remember when social media wasn’t part of daily life—when we didn’t post, scroll, pin, swipe, like, and friend. The most recent data from the Pew Research Center—released in January of this year, based on a survey of 5,733 U.S. adults conducted between May and September of last year–found that most U.S. adults report engaging with some form of social media. 83% use YouTube, 68% are on Facebook, and 47% use Instagram. Despite the controversy, TikTok’s use is growing by over 30 %, and between 27-35% use other platforms such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn; one in five use Twitte ..read more

In a recent article for Today.com, essayist Heather Sweeney wrote, “Divorce is having a moment”— but she wishes it had come a decade ago when she was contemplating and then going through her divorce. Even ten years back, Sweeney says, “shame and stigma” still caused people to keep quiet about their marital troubles and the decision to split. Sweeney and her ex tried three rounds of counseling before calling it quits. When she finally realized she had to end the marriage, she went through the whole gamut of emotions: anger, sadness, fear, resentment, and guilt. And she felt very alone. When peo ..read more

Debra Schoenberg, founder of Schoenberg Family Law Group, has been recognized on the Daily Journal’s list of Top Family Lawyers for an impressive third year in a row. Over her 38-year career, Ms. Schoenberg has found deep fulfillment in guiding clients through challenging family law matters and witnessing the strength of those she represents. She is passionate about training the next generation of lawyers and finds her work incredibly meaningful, helping clients navigate divorce and build healthy families. As the definition of family continues to evolve, Ms. Schoenberg looks forward to her nex ..read more

Social media is ingrained in our lives. We use it to keep up with friends and show off our great outfits, beautiful brunches, or blooming gardens. We post about how great our holiday party or vacation was, celebrate achievements at work, and say how proud we are of our children. Most of us hardly think twice about sharing details of our many-faceted personal lives on social media, in both words and pictures. But when you’re going through a divorce, it’s crucial to not only think twice but completely rethink and revamp your relationship with social media. California is a no-fault divorce state ..read more

No one will say it’s easy. Learning to co-parent with your ex is one of the most challenging parts of divorce when you have a family. There’s no foolproof roadmap, no one-size-fits-all solution. You won’t always get it right, especially in the beginning when the emotional temperature is likely running high. But it’s important to be aware of one major co-parenting pitfall that can be especially harmful to children—competitive co-parenting. Research has shown that intense or ongoing conflict between parents harms children. “It is not the divorce itself but rather the toxicity that can stem from ..read more

Deciding to divorce is never easy. In addition to an onslaught of painful emotions – heartbreak, disappointment, loss, anger, regret, guilt, blame, and fear – the end of a marriage brings enormous logistical and financial hurdles. Research demonstrates that, when it comes to financial fallout from divorce, women have a tougher battle. Many factors impact a woman’s financial well-being following divorce and make their circumstances more challenging: Women tend to have lower lifetime earnings than men. There are many reasons for this, including: A persistent gender-based pay gap. Many women cut ..read more

Debra R. Schoenberg, founder and principal of Schoenberg Family Law Group P.C., has been recognized as one of “The 10 Highly Recommended Lawyers to Watch in 2024.” With nearly four decades of experience, Ms. Schoenberg stands at the forefront of the dynamic realm of family law, navigating the evolving definition of family in society. The prestigious award was presented by “The Leaders Globe Media,” the largest online and print community platform that highlights global leaders from diverse industries. The platform recognizes individuals like Ms. Schoenberg, known for their superior business ser ..read more

As parents, we want to be there for our children and give them everything they need. We like to guide and comfort them, shepherd them through rough times and growing pains. Divorce is a painful and stressful time for all involved. Everyone experiences it and copes differently. For adults— (spouses, parents)—the end of a marriage brings an onslaught of overwhelming logistics and strong emotions. You may feel sorrow, loss, grief, fury, frustration, anxiety, disbelief, and regret; you may feel adrift and disoriented. Children, likewise, experience an enormous range of emotions and reactions when ..read more

Going through a divorce can feel overwhelming, emotionally and logistically. Amidst all the turmoil and the three significant factors you have to sort out—property division, custody, and spousal/child support—there are other, smaller but complex, and critical issues that will significantly impact your post-divorce life. One of the most important is health insurance. Let’s face it: ensuring good health coverage can be stressful, even in the best of times! In many cases, a couple has health insurance offered through the employer of one partner, and typically, that policy covers the whole family ..read more