Most of us love our pets and consider them an essential part of our family. So when a divorce occurs and couples find themselves having to figure out who gets to keep Fido, things can quickly get contentious. We at the White Oak Law are passionate about our furry companions, and decided to take the time to discuss pet custody in this post.

Many don’t realize just how important it is to establish paternity, at least not until the unexpected happens. In California, establishing paternity carries many benefits to children and parents alike, and is not something that should be overlooked. This post goes over some of the more important reasons to establish paternity. If you have any additional questions, we encourage you to reach out to us directly to learn more.

At the White Oak Law, we are often asked details regarding the length of a marriage and how this affects divorce proceedings. Many clients vocalize their concerns over the “ten year rule,” so we thought we could clear the air on this issue. While there is no actual “ten year rule” in California, marriages are in fact categorized by family law courts based on the duration of the union.

Custody and visitation orders are complex legal procedures in California, and many parents can become frustrated at how long it can take for the process to move forward. That said, there are instances where the courts will not hesitate to implement emergency custody or visitation orders, especially when the safety and well-being of a child are at risk.

This premise might sound ridiculous at first glance, but not being able to locate a spouse while trying to get a divorce is a fairly common occurrence. Sometimes people are separated for a long time before one decides to formally terminate the marriage. Other times a spouse chooses to estrange him/herself and does not wish to be found.