We Want to Help You Avoid These Divorce Financial Mistakes in 2021

If January is the month that you’ve decided to start your divorce, you aren’t alone. January is usually dubbed the “divorce month” since so many people end the year with clarity about whether or not they want to stay in a relationship. If you and/or your spouse have decided to divorce in 2021, review this post to avoid making critical mistakes. These are some examples of the different considerations we think through as we help you navigate divorce. 1. Ignoring …
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I am not on title to our house, is it still joint property?

Disclaimer: Property ownership is a big deal! If you have questions related to a home or rental property, definitely contact a lawyer. But start by reading this post to get a sense for how the law works. Well the long answer is “maybe” (followed by explanation below). The short answer is, probably “yes!” Why can’t lawyers just say “yes” or “no?” Why does everything have to be so complicated? Well, partially because the law is not just made up of …
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Take Control of Your Credit During (and After) Divorce, With These 8 Steps

We asked Ian  Lyngklip, of Lyngklip and Associates, Consumer Law Center, to weigh in on how you can protect and/or repair your credit after divorce. Read Ian’s guest blog below!   Most people think that divorce is the end of their relationship with their spouse. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s not necessarily true. In fact, divorce can be just the beginning of what is a long and difficult battle to reclaim your credit and your …
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Divorcing in a Second Language

By:  Monica Espinosa Going through divorce is challenging enough, but when English is not your first language the legal jargon, paperwork and process can be even more intimidating – and put you at a real disadvantage. There are linguistic and cultural nuances sometimes lost in translation that can make the difference between winning and losing on an issue. And though many court forms have instructions in other languages, responses and any declarations that the court will read must be in …
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How to Work with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst

Over the course of the past several months, We’ve had the great fortune to get to know Jennifer Taylor, a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and founder of Square One Financial Services, Inc., based in San Clemente, California. Jennifer’s personal experience going through divorce inspired her to do what she does today: help others receive easy-to-understand financial guidance during their divorce process. Separation of financial assets is one of the most complicated parts of the California divorce process. …
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It’s Over: The Checklist You Need For Your New Beginning

It’s over. Officially. But, now what? As a divorce lawyer for the last 12+ years, I can tell you that – as crazy as it sounds – sometimes one of the most difficult parts of divorce is the end. After enduring so many months of negotiation, paperwork, deadlines, heartache and perhaps even frustration or anger; when the divorce judgment is finally granted, it can feel all at once like an incredible burden lifted – but also like a thick cloud …
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Living Together but Unmarried? Ask Yourself These Questions to Determine if Your Partner has Legal Leverage

Since 2000, unmarried cohabitating couples have grown by over 40% in the U.S. Over 40% of children are born to unmarried couples. While cohabitation continues to rise, marriage rates are on the decline. Yet many of these couples are breaking up even before they ever marry. What happens when the separate? Usually couples are able to work out their (financial) differences. Sometimes parties decide to mediate any financial disputes between them and/or use an outside-the-box approach to dispute resolution. But when …
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10 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Family Law Declaration

A declaration is a written statement made under the penalty of perjury. If you are filing a “Request for Order” (or responding to a “Request for Order”) asking that the Judge enter orders providing you some type of temporary “relief”, you will need to attach a declaration explaining the basis for your request and the facts that support it. Examples of Request for Orders (RFOs) include (but are not limited to) requests for: An enforceable parenting plan Modification of an …
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15 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting the Divorce Forms

Through LFLG and Hello Divorce, we have a significant amount of clients who are self represented — using our resources to navigate the process but checking in with us when they need some guidance along the way. This week as I was overseeing the process of closing case files, I was reminded of some of our most influential clients and the outside the box path they chose to cooperatively ‘unhitch.’ When clients first come to us for legal coaching they …
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12 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring a Divorce (Legal) Coach

What is a Legal Coach? Depending on the complexity of your case and your financial circumstances, a legal coach may be a great way to obtain assistance with your Divorce or Domestic Partnership Dissolution. Legal coaches or consulting attorney’s (similar to LC’s but usually limited to advice, strategy and assistance with drafting documents vs. a LC who may also guide you through the process of represented yourself). can be a really great way to get you through your legal action without …
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