Family Lawyers in Palo Alto

California adoption involves consent rules, a court-supervised home study, and (for newborn adoptions) a state-specific revocation window. 30-day revocation window for independent adoptions; agency consents are generally final.

California calls it spousal support. For marriages UNDER 10 years: support typically lasts about HALF the length of the marriage.

An annulment in California declares that a marriage was never legally valid — different from divorce, which ends a valid marriage. Grounds vary; common ones include Bigamy, incest, mental incapacity at marriage.

California child-custody decisions are governed by the "best interests of the child" standard. Statutory policy of "frequent and continuing contact" with both parents. No formal presumption for joint custody, but courts consider it favorably absent abuse or neglect.

California child emancipation generally requires age 14 or older, plus showing the minor can support themselves and emancipation is in their best interest.

California child-relocation requires court approval (or other parent's consent) for most moves that materially affect parenting time. 45 days notice for moves over 50 miles.

California calculates child support using the Income Shares model. Both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what they would have spent on the child as an intact family.

California unmarried couples have NO automatic rights to property, support, or inheritance — cohabitation agreements + careful estate planning are the only protection. "Common-law marriage" is rare + specific.

California collaborative divorce — both parties + attorneys agree NOT to litigate, instead use team approach with neutrals. If process fails, attorneys must withdraw, creating strong incentive to settle.

California does NOT recognize common-law marriage. Cohabitation alone — even for decades — does not create marriage rights here.

California family-court contempt enforces divorce decrees, child-support orders, and custody arrangements — civil contempt for compliance, criminal contempt for punishment. Jail time is real possibility for willful violators.

California is a pure no-fault state — divorce is granted on the basis of an irretrievable breakdown. No fault grounds are available.