Overview When your co-parent files a motion claiming you’re using drugs—but it’s completely untrue—your world can feel like it’s crashing down. False drug accusations in custody cases are not just personally devastating; they threaten your relationship with your children and your reputation. Many parents facing these false allegations feel helpless and overwhelmed, unsure of how to defend themselves against claims…
Critical Balance Between and Child Safety When a parent requests drug testing in a custody case, courts face a delicate balancing act. They must weigh the accused parent’s privacy rights against the paramount concern for child welfare. Understanding how courts evaluate the credibility of evidence presented in a drug testing motion can help both parents and attorneys navigate this complex…
How to Financially Prepare for Divorce Are you facing the possibility of divorce? The financial implications can be overwhelming, but proper planning makes all the difference. This comprehensive guide walks you through the essential financial preparation steps before divorce proceedings begin. Don’t wait until papers are filed to start protecting your financial future—the decisions you make now will impact your…
Common Mistakes Parents Make During Child Custody Evaluations Navigating a child custody evaluation can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step, and your chances of securing favorable custody arrangements might explode in your face. What makes these evaluations particularly challenging is that most parents have never experienced one before—yet the outcome could dramatically impact your relationship with your…
Can I Get A Move-Away Order In California? When we talk about family, we know that sometimes the hardest decisions come from a place of deep love and concern. Relocating with your child after a divorce or custody agreement ranks among the most challenging journeys a parent can face. I recently encountered a story on AVVO that touched my heart…
Covert Narcissism: Evidence Challenges in Child Custody Parents face numerous evidence challenges in custody cases with covert narcissists. Unlike cases with obvious abuse, the harmful patterns of covert narcissists are subtle and carefully disguised. These behaviors often occur behind closed doors without witnesses. As a result, gathering compelling, court-admissible evidence becomes extremely difficult. This article—the second in our three-part series—explores…
Covert Narcissism in Child Custody Battles: How it Operates Child custody battles create challenges under the best circumstances. When one parent shows traits of covert narcissism, the playing field becomes drastically uneven. Covert narcissists differ from their grandiose counterparts. They operate beneath a carefully crafted facade of reasonableness. This makes their manipulative behaviors hard to identify in family court. This…
Child Support in 50/50 Custody Arrangements Many parents discover with surprise that 50/50 custody arrangements still require child support payments. This realization often shocks the parent who must make these payments despite sharing equal parenting time with their former partner. The confusion makes sense. After all, if both parents have the child for exactly the same amount of time, shouldn’t…
How to Successfully Navigate Child Custody Mediation Are you preparing for child custody mediation and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. The child custody mediation process can feel like walking through a minefield, where one wrong step might damage your case. As an experienced family law professional, I’ve watched parents unknowingly sabotage their own custody arrangements by making common but critical…
When and How to Talk to Your Spouse Before Divorce When we face life’s most difficult moments, like deciding to talk to your spouse before divorce, we often find ourselves standing at a crossroads of tremendous change. Over the years, I’ve learned so much from my work on divorce cases about how to embark on your divorce journey. For example,…