Family Law Section

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 2/24/2020)
[Opinions available at: http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions-slip.htm]
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

The Family Law Executive Committee (FLEXCOM) is seeking new members for our next term. FLEXCOM is an exciting way to give back to the family law community through legislative review and drafting, continuing legal education, and writing. Our committee is comprised of a diverse group of family law practitioners throughout the State of California with a wide variety of expertise and we need you! Read more

Jeff. Stegner, CPA-ABV and Natalie McFarlin, CPA-ABV will be discussing the various types of equity compensation they have worked with and apportioned between Community and Separate property. They will cover the documents needed to make such calculations as well as the types of methods used to make such apportionments (Hug / Nelson / Sequential). They will also work through real property apportionments including Moore / Marsden and Branco calculations and the documents necessary to complete such assessments. Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 12/20/19)
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

This webinar will focus on Grandparent claims for custodial, visitation and guardianship rights related to minor children in existing domestic matters and the method for bringing claims where no present suit exists. Includes overview of past applicable statutory/case authority, recent legislation/case law developments, available avenues to grandparents with claims, and remedies/defenses available to parents. Also briefly addresses stepparent visitation issues. Read more

The theme of this program is that the most professional educator of the court will prevail. In this program James will share his views on how to educate the court on the details of a tracing without boredom. His will illustrate his theories with actual (fact changed) examples from his former cases. His perspective includes: A) his own family cases (more than 15 years), B) performing demonstrative only services (e.g., Feldman), co-presenting more than a dozen times with 3 retired judicial officers, and donating his time more than 50 times in preparing Powerpoint presentations for family law presenters. Read more

It’s a jungle out there! No, I’m not referring to the political climate, but rather the trend towards a lack of civility, courtesy, and cooperation within our profession as family law litigants. In a decision from earlier this year, Lasalle v. Vogel (2019) 36 Cal. App.5th 127, 248 Cal.Rptr.3d. 263, it was pointed out that things in California had gotten so bad between attorneys, the State Bar decided to amend it’s oath to newly admitted attorneys, by including a civility requirement, as well as a vow to treat opposing counsel with “dignity, courtesy, and integrity.” That was back in 2014 and five years later the Court of Appeal is still urging a return to professionalism. Read more

There are currently no rules or cases which clarify the acceptable scope of review which may be permitted by an expert whose testimony is to be offered concerning the report or testimony of an expert appointed by the court pursuant to Evidence Code section 730. This webinar will provide guidance for practitioners as to ethical employment of expert witnesses under Evidence Code Section 733 after the court’s appointment of an Evidence Code 730 expert. Read more

In this compelling presentation, you will learn about the harmful physical and mental effects of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction.  How do we recognize use and abuse of alcohol and other substances?  Why are legal professionals prone to alcohol and drug abuse and addiction?  What are the impacts to family, friends, employers, clients and colleagues of alcohol and drug abusers?  When is it time to get professional help to intervene and preserve one’s health and career? Read more

Bias resides in 99% of how we unconsciously process information in any given moment. Most of the time, it serves us very well. Understanding when it doesn’t is key to improving our decisions, relationships and organizations. Read more