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After your divorce is finalized, you will no longer be a husband or a wife, but you are still a parent. And you will need to be one when your child needs it the most. You face the challenge of being at your best for the sake of your children…

The short answer to this question is that it takes a minimum of six months. You will quickly discover that these types of questions are followed with the words, “it depends.” That is not a means to circumvent the question. These answers are always tied to your specific circumstances. And…

If you have children, you will continue to be in close contact with your former spouse. Together you two will have to face new challenges as co-parents. One of the more unique circumstances during this time is how new people will be brought into your family. Either you, your spouse…

Do you need a will or a trust? When people create an estate plan, they will likely include both. And people can have multiple trusts. An estate plan is the culmination of documents that you make. Each one serves a purpose. A skilled attorney will build your estate plan using one…

You’ve likely heard that California is a 50/50 state. This is true; it is. Eight other states are too. But what does this mean? It comes down to the standard regarding how community property gets divided between spouses. Furthermore, states will differ on how they deem things to be “community…

There are a few steps that can and will occur before you get to a review hearing. The process begins when Child Protective Services (CPS) files a petition with the court stating that a child is not safe by living with their parents and why this is the case. During…

Despite the reasons, having a family breakup is both emotionally and physically challenging. It can become even more so when you need to fight for custody of a child because they are at risk. Educate yourself in the emergency custody process to know what to expect. In California, the first…

Abruptly losing any source of income is stressful. You depend on the money to take care of your children. Because divorce can be an emotionally charged situation, your reaction may be extreme. You may become angry at your former spouse. There may be feelings of fear and concern to be…

All divorces have one thing in common- the marriage didn’t work out. Even couples who are determined to be amicable may find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of anger and regret, leading to arguments. When your spouse is argumentative, a minor disagreement can escalate fast. It is in everyone’s best interests…

Living trusts are a highly-effective estate planning tool that can spare your loved ones the expensive and time-consuming probate process. Once established, they allow a third party (known as a trustee) to hold and manage assets on behalf of your beneficiaries and when you pass, these assets are passed on…

While a will is a good starting place for your estate plan, a strong plan will utilize many other tools to determine what will happen to your assets after you pass away, or what will happen if you become ill or incapacitated before that time. Today we’re highlighting one of…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…