The divorce process in California has historically been adversarial. Even after no-fault divorce was introduced in 1969, the “petitioner” and “respondent” framework still applied, with one spouse serving a petition on the other and the process playing out with all
McKinley, Conger, Jolley & Galarneau, LLP Blog
The McKinley, Conger, Jolley & Galarneau, LLP Blog covers a broad range of legal topics reflecting the firm's full-service practice in California. It addresses issues in family law such as divorce, child custody, visitation, alimony, and adoption, including challenges faced by nontraditional families. The blog also discusses personal injury matters like motor vehicle accidents and catastrophic injuries. Additionally, it covers business and commercial law topics including contracts, employment law, and entity formation. Wealth and estate planning, land use and real estate, and environmental law are also featured. The content often focuses on practical legal guidance and updates relevant to clients in the Central Valley community.
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Latest from McKinley, Conger, Jolley & Galarneau, LLP Blog
Who Gets the Family House in a California Divorce?
For many couples (especially those without minor children), the family home is the most important matter to be settled in divorce. It’s often the most valuable asset the couple owns, where their children grew up, and a source of emotional…
Does Infidelity Matter in California Divorce?
Married couples get divorced for many reasons. For some, it’s due to financial stress. For others, it’s a tragic event (e.g., the death of a child). And for many others, it’s infidelity. One of the most common assumptions in family…
How to Do a Prenup the Right Way
California is a community property state, meaning that during property division in divorce, all marital assets are divided 50/50 between the spouses. For some couples, the default rule works; for others, it doesn’t. And for couples who fall into the…
Hidden Assets and Financial Misconduct: California Divorce FAQs
Of all the issues to be resolved in divorce, property division looms largest for many couples. California is a community property jurisdiction, meaning that, by default, all marital assets are split 50/50 upon divorce. But determining exactly which assets are…
What Happens if You Don’t Pay Child Support?
California family law requires both parents to support their children. In most cases, the parent who has primary physical custody of the children contributes a significant portion of their resources by default, while the parent who does not have primary…
The Top 10 Most Damaging Misconceptions About California Family Law
Legal misconceptions run rife, often fueled by idle chatter, mistaken assumptions, or outright misinformation. And while some legal misconceptions are more or less harmless (e.g., you can’t be ticketed for speeding if you’re going with the flow of traffic), others…
Cohabitation and Kids: How New Partners Can Affect Child Custody
After a divorce, it’s not uncommon for ex-spouses to move on to new romantic partners — in some cases, even remarrying, or at least cohabitating. New romantic partners can often upset the delicate balance of post-divorce family life, especially where…
Effectively Using Digital Evidence in Divorce
As the world has moved from analog to digital, so too has evidence in family law matters. Digital evidence often plays a primary role in many California divorce proceedings, with litigants and courts increasingly relying on it to affect outcomes.…
How Moving Can Affect Visitation
California family law presumes that frequent and continuing contact with both parents is in the best interest of children, which is why courts almost always allow non-custodial parents visitation time with their children. But life keeps moving after divorces are…