Norris Law Blog

November 15^th, 2018

California Court of Appeal Says a Child Can Have Three Parents

In the recent opinion C.A. v. C.P. (Cal. Ct. App., 11/13/2018), the California Court of Appeals says a child can have three parents. That concept on its own is not new in California; however, the manner in which the Court got there is new. … Read More

March 30^th, 2018

Sanchez Case Creates Uncertainty in Expert Testimony, Including Child Custody Recommending Counseling

The concept of hearsay is generally defined as evidence of a statement that was made other than by a witness while testifying at the hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of the matter stated. (Evidence Code Sec. 1200) Hearsay includes documents, text messages, internet posts and the like. … Read More

February 22^nd, 2016

Quotes: Having a child is like…

“Having a child is like a twenty-year escrow with tough terms and a sale-leaseback at the end.” -Bjorn Farrugia Bjorn is a real estate agent focusing on high end homes in LA County, such as Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood, etc. … Read More

February 5^th, 2016

The importance of tax returns in divorce proceedings

Joint Filings: Many times during a divorce, Parties are tempted to file taxes as “married filing jointly.” Usually, but not always, your tax burden will be lower filing jointly, depending on your respective incomes, deductions, and credits. The main disadvantage of filing jointly is that both spouses are jointly and severally liable for taxes on the return, including any tax deficiencies, interest, and penalties.… Read More

August 18^th, 2015

Amid pressure from Feds, California Courts to make interpreters more available by 2017

California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is incredibly diverse. Spanish is the state’s second most spoken language. Latinos make up 40% of the state’s population, and 25% of people in California cite Spanish as their primary language. … Read More

March 27^th, 2015

The interpersonal dynamics of divorce (stop being a jerk)

When people get together in wedded bliss, then have that cohesiveness fall apart, there are bound to be some awkward and uncomfortable moments. There will also be some emotional pain involved. If there are minor children involved, there will also be stress placed on them. … Read More

December 29^th, 2014

Gender-neutral changes to the California Family Code: substance from the symbolic

In January of 2015, the California Family Code is facing a monumental shift towards gender equality. The words “husband” and “wife” or “man” and a “woman” will be replaced with “spouses.” These changes affect at least the following statutes: Sections 300, 301, 302, 420, 500, 720, 721, 750, 751, 752, 754, 761, 1102, 1500, 1620, 1839, 2200, 2201, 2210, 2211, 2322, 2400, 2401, 3120, 3450, 3551, 3580, 3585, 3600, 4323, and 4930.… Read More

January 19^th, 2014

Effect of Bankruptcy on Marital Dissolution Proceedings

Many times dissolution proceedings come at the heels of financial stress. That being said, sometimes couples are forced to consider both bankruptcy and divorce at the same time. How does the bankruptcy filing impact the dissolution proceedings (and vice versa)? You can file for divorce even though bankruptcy proceedings are underway.… Read More

September 18^th, 2013

From NPR News: Some Domestic Abusers Want to Change

Psychologist David Adams heads a program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is aimed at creating real behavioral changes in the perpetrators of abuse. It is worth a list at the link.… Read More

July 1^st, 2013

Annual Kid’s Count Study Results: California Children Doing Poorly

Each year the Annie E. Casey Foundation releases a report aggregating data from all 50 states and comparing key indicators of children’s health and well being. How did California fair? California didn’t score any better than they did in 2012–ranking 41 out of 50 states. … Read More