When a baby is born to a married couple, California law assumes that the mother’s husband is the baby’s father. That man gets all the benefits of legal paternity, such as the right to pursue custody if the pair divorces. But did you know that if you aren’t married to your child’s mother, you actually need to take steps to be granted legal paternity? It’s true! In today’s blog post, we’re looking at some of the Read More

Coronavirus has changed our lives in many frightening ways, from threatening our health and that of our loved ones to contributing to rising suicide rates, and new data suggests another disturbing trend: Stay home orders have caused a rise in domestic violence cases. Whether it is simply being reported more because victims can’t leave the house or being cooped up together is actually causing violence to rise, this is Read More

When it comes to relationship issues and divorce, everyone seems to have an opinion. Sometimes your loved ones’ advice varies so greatly that it can be difficult to know whose words to heed and whose to disregard. While we know your loved ones have only the best intentions, the Carroll Law Office team has seen firsthand how following bad divorce advice can make an already challenging situation even worse. We Read More

When you create a will, you need to name an executor. The executor of your will is a person who has the legal responsibility to ensure that your financial matters are handled properly after you pass away. They will likely pay bills and taxes on behalf of your estate, distribute your assets to your loved ones as instructed by your will, go to court on behalf of your estate, and maintain your property in the time Read More

These unprecedented times are scary for us all. Though the numbers are still out, it seems that while coronavirus is mainly life-threatening only for the elderly and immunocompromised, it can also in some cases claim the lives of the young and the healthy. For many, this is a wakeup call. Between accidents and undetected medical issues, the young and seemingly healthy have never been death-proof, but the highly Read More

When you’re a parent and your divorce is finalized, it’s the end of one emotional rollercoaster and the beginning of the next. Co-parenting with your ex presents many difficulties. However, when you’re successful, it can be extremely rewarding. Read on to discover the Carroll Law Office team’s best tips for successful co-parenting. Remember you share a goal. You and your ex-spouse probably don’t see eye to Read More

Many decedents’ estates end up having to pass through California’s probate court system in some capacity. Probate court is the legal process through which estates are settled in accordance with relevant federal, state, and local laws, in addition to any estate planning documents the decedent might have created. California’s probate system is not as arduous as other states’, but it is advisable for anyone creating an Read More

Do you have a strong bond with your cat? Can’t imagine life without your dog? Many people who adopt pets with their spouses and later seek a divorce feel worried that they might not be able to keep their pet in the divorce, especially if their soon-to-be-ex also has a close relationship with the animal and would like to keep it. In most states (and in California until recently) pets are treated as property in Read More

If you watch enough Court TV, you can't be blamed for assuming that filing for divorce in California is a drawn-out, expensive, and stressful process. While this certainly can happen (Rosendale vs. Rosendale took 12 years to resolve), it’s not the norm.  There are two types of divorce in California: contested and uncontested. Below is an overview of the main differences between these two dissolution options and Read More

Adoption is a beautiful way to grow your family, and stepparent adoption is a special and unique way to really show your love. Unfortunately, adoption can also be a very complex legal process that needs to be handled properly in order to avoid delays and other issues. This blog outlines what needs to happen in order to successfully complete a stepparent adoption.  What is Required The first thing you need to do Read More