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Marriage of Davis: A Shared Roof = Shared (Community) Property
Certified Family Law Specialist by Vanessa Soto Nellis 818.907.3274 During the recession, we occasionally heard of couples who were divorcing, but still cohabitating. For economic reasons, neither spouse moved out of the house – they
Supreme Court: 14th Amendment Requires Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage
California Bar Certified Specialist, Family Law by Vanessa Soto Nellis 818.907.3274 In 1883 the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that couples engaging in interracial sex (Pace v. Alabama) are not in violation
Family Law: Special Considerations When Representing Professional Athletes
While we await news of Tom Brady’s Deflate-Gate appeal, the National Basketball Association playoffs coming up fast, and the latest hints that Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian may not follow through with their divorce after
Benefits of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust as Security for Support
by Kira S. Masteller and Anthony D. Storm Divorce or separation agreements often require one spouse to maintain life insurance as security for their support obligation. Attorneys often do not address the tax implications if
Tax Filing During a Divorce: Separate or Joint Returns?
Divorce Attorney by Vanessa Soto Nellis 818.907.3274 Couples going through a divorce should remember this regarding taxes: You can still file a joint return, so long as you were still married as of December 31st.
Hitting the Wall: Facebook and Divorce
Child Custody and Support Attorney by Vanessa Soto Nellis 818.907.3274 A new survey sponsored by a group in the UK links Facebook to 33 percent of all divorces, up from a 2009 study that cites
Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Cohabitation Agreements Make it Easier
by Lovette T. Mioni According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, more and more couples are choosing to live together – either in a premarital cohabitation arrangement, or in lieu of
Victory for Sperm Donors: Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Jason Patric
by Lovette T. Mioni Jason Patric, perhaps best known for his role in the movies Lost Boys or Speed 2, scored a landmark victory in a California Appeals Court last week, regarding paternity rights for his
Retirement Planning for Same-Sex Married Couples
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 In September, the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Ruling 2013-17 which clarified when, for federal tax purposes, the IRS will recognize same-sex marriages. As of
Divorce Mediation – How is it Better?
Divorce Mediation Attorney by Vanessa Soto Nellis 818.907.3274 Recently, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay front man Chris Martin announced the demise of their marriage. But rather than calling the split a separation or divorce, they’ve