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The often-disgruntled path of divorce doesn't always have to involve conflict. For many couples, an amicable divorce offers a less contentious and more respectful way to end a marriage, focusing on mutual agreement and cooperation.

Divorce, as you may know, is a complicated thing. There are a lot of emotions involved and a lot of questions to be answered. And when you add the legal aspect of divorce into the mix, it can get even more confusing.

Many people believe family law only encompasses issues linked to divorce, such as child custody and alimony. In reality, family law includes many more legal processes than just divorce. It includes any area of the law involving family relationships, such as paternity, emancipation, adoption, foster care, and eldercare.

Families and individuals adopt children for all sorts of reasons. Some are unable to have children of their own. Some are single men and women or same-sex couples. Some want to give a child a good home when biological parents cannot or will not raise their child.

Hundreds of thousands of Californians are victims of domestic violence every year, enduring physical, sexual, or emotional abuse at the hands of someone close to them. If you or a loved one is in an abusive domestic relationship, we can help, starting with obtaining a domestic violence order or restraining order to force your abuser to stay at a safe distance.

In 2019, more than 161,000 domestic violence-related calls for assistance were made in California by people frightened by the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse inflicted by a family member or loved one. Those who can find the courage to stand up to their abuser can use the law to help protect themselves.

In the state of California, courts try to ensure that each parent is involved in the lives of their children as much as possible. However, the primary focus will always be on what’s in the best interest of the child. As such, issues can arise that affect visitation rights. For this reason, it is important to consult with an experienced family law attorney in San Jose, California.

When it comes to child custody in a divorce case, there are no explicit legal consequences of committing adultery in California. As such, a custody battle can become complex, involving a wide range of considerations, none of which have to do with cheating.

Adopting a stepchild can be an emotionally charged situation. Deciding what is best for the child or children can prove to be a difficult task. On one hand, a non-custodial biological parent may be in communication with the child, and may not want to relinquish their parental rights. However, a stepparent adoption may create a more stable environment for the child, which would prove to be a better choice. Yet, a stepparent and a non-custodial biological parent may still both have loyalties of the child, and that may create a source of confusion and frustration. Generally speaking, the less involved a biological parent is, the easier the decision will be. Ultimately, it is something that will need to be decided by all parties involved.

There are many federal and state laws that benefit married couples. Some examples include the right to file joint income tax returns, create a family limited partnership (FLP) under federal tax laws, create a marital life estate trust, receive survivor benefits, receive a share of your deceased spouse’s estate under intestate succession laws and claim the estate tax marital deduction.