Family Law Section

While working as an attorney can be extremely meaningful and rewarding, the work can also wear a one down. Depression, anxiety and substance abuse plague the profession. Attorneys put everything out there for their clients, but to the detriment to their own mental, emotional, and physical health. In this session participants will recognize that taking care of their own well-being is not a selfish act but is an indispensable part of their duty of competency. Additionally, participants will leave Read more

DEPENDENCY (current through 05/18/25)By: John Nieman The precise holdings in a given case are bolded. Auther’s note is italicized. B.D. v Sup. Ct. of CCC4/30/25, CA 1/3 A172485https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/A172485.PDF Mother appealed the setting of a Welfare & Institutions (W&I) Code §366.26 hearing. A W&I §366.26 hearing is set when efforts to assist a parent/s to reunify have proven to be inadequate, so a permanent plan such as adoption must be chosen for the child/ren in question. Both findings require clear and… Read more

FAMILY LAW (Through 05/27/25)By:  Andrew Botros, CFLS, CALS The precise holdings in a given case are bolded. Auther’s note is italicized. In re Marriage of J.G. & K.G.05/02/2025 CA 3: C100075 – Earl, P.J.https://www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/C100075.PDF In this case, the Court of Appeal held that a trial court may not rely on the parties’ stipulation to award joint custody unless and until the perpetrator successfully rebuts the Family Code section 3044 presumption.  Facts The marriage dissolved against a backdrop of domestic violence:… Read more

As we approach the midpoint of 2025, take time to reflect on recent family law case developments. Like always, this issue offers a concise overview of family law and dependency case updates. Read more

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