The divorce attorneys at Westover Law Group offer expert legal advocacy to clients throughout Southern California during their time of need. The legal team handles a wide range of divorce issues including child custody, child support, visitation, relocation, and property division. At Westover Law Group, the team of Murrieta divorce lawyers are not afraid to go to trial and stand up for what's right. Those who retain the firm's services can trust that their rights and best interests will be protected, especially if they're being shortchanged in any way during divorce proceedings. Attorney Andrew Westover, CFLS is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Family Law Specialist. Clients can be confident they have a skilled and qualified legal professional on their side to help navigate through the inherent complexities of the legal process. To request a free consultation, call (951) 643-0085 today.
Social media and divorce: How can it hurt you?
Divorce can be complicated, especially if it involves a trial. The rise of technology and social media has made divorce even more complex. There are many ways social media and technology can hurt you during your divorce.
Your online activity is never truly secret or private. A divorce can drudge up many aspects of your life that you may not want made public during a divorce trial for various reasons. Being aware of how technology can affect your divorce trial can help you avoid careless mistakes that could hurt you.
How Default Judgments Work
A default judgment in a divorce is a judgment entered by the court in favor of the petitioner due to the inaction of the other party in the case. However, even if a default judgment is entered, you might still be required to attend a final hearing to complete your divorce. In the event that your spouse appears at this final hearing, none of the defenses to the allegations described in your petition can be argued by him or her since an answer was not filed in the required time period and, as a result, your petition would be deemed true at the default proceeding.
Child Custody and Summer Vacation Plans
The summer is here, which means you might have some fun summer vacation plans in mind now that your children have a break from school. However, if you share custody with your ex, planning for a summer vacation can be a little more complicated than it is for most other families. To ensure your summer goes smoothly and that you do not end up wasting your days arguing and fighting over who gets to ...
How to Modify a Visitation Agreement
In some situations, a child custody or visitation order becomes either impractical or improper. Under certain circumstances that meet specific rules and requirements, you may be able to modify the terms and conditions of the order.
Remember, there are two primary types of child custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody means the right to make important decisions for the child, while physical custody refers to the time the parent spends with the child. In most cases, courts award joint legal custody, although physical custody is often giving to one parent (custodial) while the other parent (noncustodial) is entitled to visitation.
How to Establish Paternity & Why You Need an Attorney
A paternity action establishes a father's parental relationship with a child, as well as awards legal responsibilities and parental rights to the father. While a father may seek to establish parentage to obtain custody and/or visitation rights over a child, a mother may file a paternity action to establish the father's financial responsibility for a child.
In California, there are a couple of instances where the law assumes the identity of the father: (1) when the child is born during a marriage and (2) when a man has been living with the child and mother in a family-like manner while demonstrating a commitment to the child. Absent these two situations, paternity must be established.
What Are My Visitation Rights as a Grandparent?
If you are a grandparent, chances are you still want to be part of your grandchildren's lives even after a divorce. In fact, you might be worried about the future of your visitation rights once the process is over. While parents can always choose to allow grandparents to visit their children without a court order, some parents might attempt to prevent the children's grandparents from visiting them at all. In such cases, you are not without legal recourse. It is your right to petition the court for visitation rights. At Westover Law Group, our family law attorneys in Murrieta can assist you securing these rights, allowing you to be part of the lives of your grandchildren.
Relocating After a Divorce with Children
There are some aspects of your divorce settlement that are not set in stone. After all, the court understands that life is not static and things change, people move, and sometimes you have to pursue opportunities that will improve your family's life. If you share children with your ex-spouse, however, this simple relocation can become complicated, so it is crucial to hire an experienced family law attorney who is experienced in handling such matters.
Benefits of Mediation
If you are your spouse are both willing to voluntarily attend and actively participate in determining your divorcesettlement in an amicable and respectful manner, then mediation is right for you. Mediation gives spouses the opportunity to have an earnest and transparent discussion about the issues surrounding their divorce in order to figure out a divorce agreement which works for them.
What Happens When a Noncustodial Parent Fails to Pay Child Support?
Just because a noncustodial parent has been ordered by the court to pay child support doesn't necessarily mean they will adhere to the court order. According to several studies, fewer than 50 percent of the children who are owed child support money regularly receive full payments.
In some cases, the custodial parent must take further action in order to enforce the order. If a noncustodial parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the custodial parent can rely on federal and state laws which mandate severe enforcement procedures.
