The 3 Fastest Ways I See People Lose a Judge's Trust
After years of handling divorce cases in California courtrooms, I've noticed something that surprises a lot of my clients: cases aren't always won or lost on the facts alone. They're won or lost on credibility . Judges a…
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Marriage Advice from a Divorce Lawyer of 20+ Years
Written By: Stephen L. Cawelti, CFLS Stephen is a board-certified divorce attorney who has handled complex family law matters in California since 2006. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, holds a B.A. in Psycholog…
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The Difference Between Divorce Cases That Settle and Those That Spiral
Written By: Stephen L. Cawelti, CFLS Stephen is a board-certified divorce attorney who has handled complex family law matters in California since 2006. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, holds a B.A. in Psycholog…
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3 Divorce Strategies I’ve Watched Backfire in Los Angeles Courtrooms
After 20 years of practicing family law in Los Angeles County, I’ve seen many different approaches to divorce. Some strategies help move cases toward resolution, while others consistently make the process longer, more ex…
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What 20 Years as a Divorce Attorney Has Taught Me About Marriage and Divorce
After nearly twenty years practicing divorce and family law, I’ve had a front-row seat to one of the most difficult transitions people can go through. I’ve worked on hundreds of cases. Some resolved quietly through negot…
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Why Chasing a “Fair” Divorce Can Backfire (And Drain Your Wallet)
Divorce is often fueled by a powerful sense of fairness. When a marriage ends, it’s natural for each spouse to want a result that feels “fair” based on what they believe they contributed to the relationship. But in pract…
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When Your Ex Is on a Mission: How to Survive a High-Conflict Divorce
Divorce is rarely easy. But when your ex treats it like a personal mission to “win,” control, or retaliate, the process becomes far more consuming. A high-conflict divorce is not just a legal dispute. It is a prolonged e…
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Decision Fatigue is Wrecking Your Divorce Strategy (Here’s How to Regain Control)
Divorce is one of life’s most demanding decision-making journeys. As you navigate the early stages of divorce , legal choices, parenting concerns, financial disclosures, and emotional upheaval, your ability to think clea…
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Relocating and Child Custody (The Ultimate Guide)
Relocating when you share child custody is one of the more fraught decisions a parent can face. Whether the move is driven by a new job, family need, or simply a fresh start, the impact on child custody and how the court…
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Breach of Fiduciary Duty in Marriage and Divorce
Breach of fiduciary duty is a term often associated with business. When we hear of these cases in the news they often include board members, financial or legal professionals, or other corporate entities. Businesses are n…
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What to Expect When Getting Divorced (A Step-by-Step Overview)
Going through a divorce is one of the most significant transitions you’ll ever face. Even when both spouses agree it’s time to part ways, the legal and emotional process can feel overwhelming. Between filing paperwork, n…
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California and No-Fault Divorce
Divorce is rarely easy, but California's no-fault divorce laws can make the process less burdensome. If you are considering divorce in California, it’s essential to understand how the no-fault system works and what it me…
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Gray Divorce: What Older Couples Need to Know
Divorce isn’t just a young person’s game. A growing number of older adults are choosing to end their marriages later in life, a trend known as gray divorce or silver separation. For seniors who are retired or nearing ret…
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Do I Need to Establish Parentage?
If you're an unmarried parent in California, you may wonder: Do I need to establish parentage ? The short answer is yes. Establishing parentage is a crucial step in securing your legal rights and responsibilities concern…
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7 Co-Parenting Tips For Divorced Parents
Navigating life after a separation or divorce is challenging, especially when children are involved. You don’t get to fully close the door on your ex when you are still raising children together. Successful co-parenting …
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Legal Consultations 101
The first step in getting the legal help you need is scheduling a consultation. If you’ve never met with a lawyer, you might wonder: What happens during a legal consultation? Whether you’re seeking help with a divorce or…
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You've Been Served Divorce Papers! Now What?
Being served divorce papers is an emotional experience. Whether you were expecting it or caught off guard, taking the proper steps right away is crucial. Preparation and an understanding of the legal process in Californi…
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Secretly Prepare For Divorce (17 Things To Do)
Divorce is a significant life change that many partners do not take well. If you’re in a situation where you need to prepare discreetly, doing as much as you can before you tell your partner can make divorce proceedings …
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Unfriended: Social Media and Divorce
Social media has transformed how we communicate, connect, and share our lives. While these platforms offer countless benefits, they also significantly affect modern relationships—sometimes for the worse. When it comes to…
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What Can Be Used Against You in Divorce? (Top 15 Pitfalls)
Divorce is a challenging and emotional process. Beyond the emotional toll, there are legal aspects that require careful attention. One misstep could result in evidence being used against you, potentially affecting the ou…
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Tis the Split Season (7 Coparenting Tips for the Holidays)
Holidays are meant to be a time of joy, family, and togetherness. However, for divorced or separated parents, the holiday season can bring added stress as they navigate child custody arrangements. Balancing traditions, s…
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Property Division in California (The Ultimate Guide)
Property division is one of the most important issues in a divorce. But property division can get complicated, fast. This comprehensive guide will walk you through California’s property division laws , how assets and deb…
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Breaking Free (Ultimate Guide to Divorce & Domestic Abuse)
When we think of domestic violence we often picture physical abuse. Domestic violence, however, encompasses much more than that. It isn’t always easily recognized, even by people who are experiencing it. The intersection…
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Long-Term Spousal Support: Security After Divorce
Many aspects of divorce follow a 50/50 rule. Separating couples often share 50/50 custody of their children, split their marital property in half, and share responsibility for debt. Long-term spousal support is not as cu…
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Temporary Spousal Support: Security During Divorce Proceedings
Deciding to separate from a spouse can be nerve-wracking. One of the most common concerns people have is how they will support themselves during divorce proceedings. Enter temporary spousal support . What is Temporary Sp…
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Making Pet Co-Ownership a Success
When a relationship ends, many things have to be reconfigured. Furniture is divided, someone moves to a different home, and other property is split up. Pets are also impacted by a separation. Unlike couches or works of a…
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Post-Judgment Modifications: Everything You Need to Know
There are a lot of ways you can settle a divorce. No matter your route, you may need a post-judgment modification someday. Life circumstances change and your financial and custodial agreements can be altered to reflect t…
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How to Win Your Pet Custody Case (6 Tips You Should Know)
At one point or another, you likely believed your partner was your best friend. Now the relationship has ended and you are definitely no longer best friends. On top of that, you are fighting over who gets to keep (hu)man…
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How to Discuss Divorce With Your Child at Any Age
Talking to your children about getting divorced is one of the hardest parts of the entire divorce process. You and your children will likely feel strong emotions, fear the unknown, and have many questions about what life…
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6 Tips to Help Dads Survive a Divorce
Separating from a partner is exhausting in every way. When you add children to a separation it is even harder. There are a lot of unknowns and things you don't know how to plan for. Who gets custody? How often will I be …
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6 Tips To Help Moms Survive a Divorce
Getting a divorce is often beneficial in the long run , but that doesn’t mean the process is easy. There will be multiple emotional and practical challenges you'll face while you are negotiating a divorce. These challeng…
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5 Things to Consider When Seeking Custody in a LGBTQ+ Divorce
Getting a divorce as a same-sex couple is almost identical to getting one as a mixed-sex couple. LGBTQ+ couples have been afforded the same rights in divorce as straight couples since the legalization of gay marriage in …
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How to Keep Your Divorce Amicable (Top 5 Tips)
Contrary to popular belief, divorce does not have to equate to disaster. Will it be a major life transition? Yes. Will it be stressful? Any major life change typically is. But does it have to be a dog fight? Absolutely n…
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7 Ways to Lose Custody in California
Child Custody laws vary from state to state, but every court in America agrees that the child’s best interest is the most critical factor in deciding custody arrangements. In California , the court believes that a child …
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How to Divorce a Narcissist (Top 10 Tips)
Narcissism is a common buzzword in modern society. It is used to label bosses, parents, friends, celebrities, and even spouses. While it is an apt word to describe someone that never seems to be wrong, among other strong…
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The Ultimate Child Custody Guide (For Parents in 2023)
Child custody. It can be one of the most stressful elements of the divorce process. But it doesn’t have to be. As a child custody attorney with 16+ years of experience, I’ve composed a guide to help you learn the ins and…
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Top 7 Questions to Ask Your Divorce Lawyer Before Hiring Them
Written By: Stephen L. Cawelti APC Stephen Cawelti is a board certified divorce attorney who has specialized in complex family law matters since 2006 in California. He has acted as the lead attorney on hundreds of divorc…
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How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in California?
No one wants their divorce to drag on. In fact, once most people decide to get a divorce , they want it over with as quickly as possible. How long does it take to get a divorce in California? The short answer? Even if yo…
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The California Stay-at-Home Parent's Guide to Divorce
Divorce is stressful, especially if you have sacrificed your career to help raise your children. You are left with questions like… How should I approach divorce as a stay at home parent? How will I provide for myself in …
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Divorcing in California? Here's How to Protect Your Retirement
Getting a divorce can be extremely stressful, and a big part of that stress has to do with finances. The good news? If your divorce is done intelligently, you can minimize the damage done and protect your assets. The Rea…
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7 Tips on How to Make Your Divorce as Painless as Possible
Divorce is never easy, but it does not have to ruin your life. There are many things that you can do to help make the process easier on you and your family. As a divorce lawyer , I have helped countless individuals throu…
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6 Secrets to Save Money on Your Divorce
Divorce DOES NOT have to cost a fortune. And you don’t have to settle for a mediocre, cheap attorney in order for your divorce to be cost-effective. So how do you keep your divorce costs down? Below are the top 6 tips I …
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Top 5 Ways to Make Divorce Easier on Your Kids
Written By: Stephen L. Cawelti, Child Custody Attorney Contrary to popular opinion, divorce does not have to be riddled with drama and it does not have to scar your kids. Will your divorce be an adjustment for them? Yes.…
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Considering Legal Separation? Here are the Top Things You Need to Know
Written By: Stephen L. Cawelti, APC Your marriage is hanging on by a thread, divorce looks imminent, but then your spouse comes to you with this proposal: let’s first try getting legally separated. Should you go through …
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Unmarried with Kids? The Top Things You Should Know About Getting Custody in California
The laws surrounding child custody for unmarried parents can be very confusing, but they don’t have to be. In this guide, we will help to break down California custody laws for unmarried parents and help you to know the …
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How to Prepare for Divorce Mediation (Top 5 Tips)
Mediation . It can save a couple getting a divorce time, money, and also reduce a significant amount of stress. But not all settlements that come from mediation are successful. So what is the secret to success in mediati…
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Protect Your Pet: The Ultimate Pet Custody Divorce Guide (California)
By: Stephen L. Cawelti , Los Angeles Divorce Attorney I consider my dog and cat to be a part of the family, and I'm not alone. As a practicing divorce lawyer in the Los Angeles area, I have many of my clients come to me …
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To Appear or Not To Appear, That Is the Question: Trial Courts Cannot Grant Excessive Relief
When someone goes to court asking for something, due process considerations are in place to help one decide whether he/she should even object. If you’re okay with it, why waste time fighting it? Courts should not penaliz…
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Domestic Violence Prevention Laws Trump the Right of Free Speech
Most will not be surprised to learn that the right of free speech is not absolute. After all, libel is not freely allowed and we all know that you cannot shout, “Fire!” in a crowded theater, at least not without paying t…
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When Someone’s on a Mission, How do you Survive?
I have several cases now, and tons historically, where one of the parties is “on a mission”. The missions vary, sometimes these missions are worthy, such as when there is a history of breaches of fiduciary duty, but just…
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