Family Law Section

The California Lawyers Association’s Family Law Section presents an exciting one-day seminar No Holds Barred. Join us for a candid conversation between bench and bar addressing our impact and influence on the practice of family law today. Read more

You're Invited to our No Holds Barred program held in Fresno, CA on November 21, 2025! Read more

You're Invited to our No Holds Barred program held in Pismo Beach, CA on November 7, 2025! Read more

You're Invited to our No Holds Barred program held in Walnut Creek, CA on October 25, 2025! Read more

You're Invited to our No Holds Barred program held in Irvine, CA on October 17, 2025! Read more

FAMILY LAW (Through 04/29/25) By:  Andrew Botros, CFLS, CALS The precise holdings in a given case are bolded. My comments are in italics. In re Marriage of DeBenedetti and Ensberg 04/24/2025 CA 4/1: D082801 – Rubin, J. https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/D082801.PDF In this case, the Court of Appeal affirmed the family court’s postjudgment orders that enforced a fiduciary breach judgment by assigning an ex-husband’s retirement accounts to his former wife through Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). The opinion provides an important clarification that… Read more

CFLR will present the biennial Advanced Family Law Course (AFLC) in June 2025. This comprehensive and intensive program showcases an all-star faculty of justices, judges, and lawyers. Read more

CFLR will present the biennial Advanced Family Law Course (AFLC) in June 2025. This comprehensive and intensive program showcases an all-star faculty of justices, judges, and lawyers. Read more

The California Lawyers Association Family Law Executive Committee is happy to announce that in partnership with the California Family Law Report (CFLR) we will be offering several scholarships this year and next for licensed attorneys and current Family Law Section members who are experiencing financial difficulties and would be able to better their Family Law practice by attending a designated CFLR family law program. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for the CFLR & FLEXCOM Specialist Exam Need-Based Scholarship, applicants must: Be… Read more

In this case, the Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s order denying the defendant’s motion to set aside a default under Code of Civil Procedure section 473, subdivision (b). That provision mandates relief when a default results from an attorney’s mistake. The trial court denied the motion based on its mistaken view that litigation strategy does not qualify as “attorney fault” under section 473(b). Read more