Family Law Blog

When you’re facing divorce, one of the first questions you’ll encounter is whether yours will be contested or uncontested. These terms determine everything from how long your divorce takes to how much it costs. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve handled both types in Stanislaus County, and understanding the difference helps you know what you’re walking into. […]

Most parents going through custody battles assume their kids will stay together. California courts think the same way. The sibling bond carries real weight in child development, and judges bend over backward to keep brothers and sisters in the same home. But it does happen sometimes. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve worked through plenty of custody […]

Child support in California is usually calculated based on regular salary or wages. Pretty straightforward. But what happens when a parent’s income jumps around because of commissions, bonuses, or overtime that changes every month? That’s exactly where Smith Ostler orders come into play. At Attorney Bernie, we help parents figure out whether these specialized support […]

Legal custody determines who gets to make major decisions about your child’s life. It’s separate from physical custody, which controls where your child actually lives. At Attorney Bernie, we help parents in Santa Clara County understand these distinctions because they fundamentally shape their relationship with their child after divorce or separation. What Legal Custody Actually […]

Trust funds add serious complications to divorce cases. Whether you’re the beneficiary of a family trust or you established one yourself, understanding how California courts treat these assets can make a massive difference in your settlement. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve handled plenty of high-asset divorces involving trusts, and the outcome depends heavily on what type […]

When you’re stepping in to care for a child who isn’t biologically yours, California gives you two main legal options. Both guardianship and adoption let you provide a home and make decisions for a child, but they’re fundamentally different in ways that matter long term. At Attorney Bernie, we help families in Stanislaus County figure […]

When your marriage isn’t working, you’ve got two main legal options in California. You can file for divorce, or you can pursue legal separation. Both processes address property division, spousal support, and custody issues, but they lead to very different outcomes. At Attorney Bernie, we help clients in Stanislaus County understand which path makes the […]

Bird nesting is one of the more creative custody arrangements we’ve seen gain traction in recent years. Instead of shuffling kids between two homes, the children stay put in one house while the parents take turns living there. It’s called nesting because, like birds in a nest, the children remain in their home while the […]

Cryptocurrency has become a common part of many people’s investment portfolios, but when your marriage ends, these digital assets add a layer of complexity to an already difficult process. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve helped plenty of clients figure out what happens to their Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies when they’re going through a divorce. […]

Parents going through a separation or divorce often wonder if they can skip child support entirely. Maybe one parent earns enough to cover all expenses, or both parents agree they don’t need formal support. The short answer is no, you cannot simply waive child support in California. The state views this financial obligation as belonging […]