My child wishes to live with me. Can I get primary physical custody?
Law Offices of Cathleen E. Norton The good news is that the law changed as of January 1, 2012 to allow the child’s voice to be heard in family court. This law applies both to divorce and paternity cases. Essentially, the law requires the family law judge to allow a child who is 14 years or older to “address the […]
Getting a Divorce? Child Custody and Visitation Tips From Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer, Cathleen E. Norton, Esq.
GETTING A DIVORCE? THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT CUSTODY AND VISITATION Many people believe that once they file for divorce, the Court will set a hearing date to determine custody and visitation of the minor children. Not true. In order to get child custody orders, one of the parties needs to file what is called an Request for Order asking the […]
Child Support
Los Angeles Child Support Lawyers – Law Offices of Cathleen E. Norton In California, child support is based on a mathematical formula known as “guideline. ” The amount of child support is based on primarily two factors: the relative income of both parents and how much time each parent spends with the child or children. It is important to […]
Change of Circumstance: Material or Substantial?
It is established law that California requires a change of circumstances before a modification of child support will be granted. But what exactly constitutes a change in circumstances? Previous cases have simply said there must be a change of circumstances and left it at that. More often however courts have used the term material change […]
How Is Guideline Child Support Calculated? Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer, Cathleen E. Norton, Esq.
Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer, Cathleen E. Norton, Esq. CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATIONS – HOW MUCH AM I ENTITLED TO? Child support in California is calculated based on 2 factors, primarily: 1) the income of both parents and 2) how much time each parent spends with the children. What is considered “income” for the purposes of calculating child support, you […]
Child Support: Reimbursement Procedures For Health Care Costs
What does California law say about child support medical reimbursements? Law Offices Of Cathleen E. Norton If you have a child support order that includes a provision for reimbursement of health care costs, California law states that you must first give the other parent a statement itemizing the charges within a reasonable period of time. How long do […]
Coping with the Chaos Caused by Divorce
As a family law attorney in Los Angeles will tell you, divorce results in chaos. Many things change in the wake of a divorce, including parenting, social relationships, financial state, self-perceptions and addresses. The stress of the divorce itself and its attending chaos may cause a person’s behavior to change and, perhaps, become odd. People might revert […]
What is a dissolution of marriage, anyway? Los Angeles Divorce Attorney, Cathleen E. Norton, explains…
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE = DIVORCE A “dissolution of marriage” action is just a fancy name for a divorce case. In California, a married person can request a divorce by filing a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” along with a form called a Summons. The Summons is issued by the Court, and then both the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and […]
You Do Not Have the Legal Right to Collect Child Support From the Other Parent Without a Court Order.
If you want child support or want to change an existing child support order, you must file an Request for Order with the Court. The forms you will need to complete are: Request for Order (FL-300) along with a Declaration, and an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). You must provide 2 months’ pay stubs with your papers. **PLEASE NOTE THAT […]
Divorce
Los Angeles Divorce Lawyers – The Law Offices of Cathleen E. Norton Family Law Attorneys handle issues relating to divorce, custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support, among other things. The emotional aspects of a divorce are difficult–the legal aspects should not be. A competent family law attorney should be able to guide your decision-making by providing you with information and legal […]