Roseville Family Law Blog

Divorce can be a difficult thing to cope with, especially when you are not the one who initiated it. You may find yourself confused, saddened, and angry. Many Californians also wind up asking themselves what went wrong with their relationship. Although there may be a number of factors that contribute to the dissolution of a marriage, one study claims to have found a strong correlation between gender roles, career trajectories, and divorce.

The study found that women who receive a promotion at work are twice as likely to get a divorce than those who don't receive a promotion. The reasoning for this striking increase is especially pronounced amongst those who fulfilled stereotypical gender roles prior to the woman's promotion. This would mean that divorce is more likely when, prior to the woman's promotion, the man's career is the focus of the relationship. However, the study also found that women who are in more gender-equal relationships were less likely to divorce when the wife received a promotion.

Regardless of whether you're a custodial or noncustodial parent, the outcome of a child support dispute can shape the financial well-being of you and your child. As we discussed last week, there are limited circumstances under which child support can be stopped, but there are many instances when a child support modification is warranted. Whether you are seeking to increase or decrease a support obligation, you need to be prepared for a fight, as very rarely do parents agree on an appropriate amount of monthly child support.

This is why it is often critical that you have a legal ally on your side when you confront these matters. A skilled family law attorney may be able to help you gather the evidence you need to support your claim and thereby increase the likelihood that a judge will rule in your favor. This evidence may include documentation demonstrating financial hardship, such as notification of termination from a job or medical documentation, or it may involve showing the other parent's increased income or increased needs of the subject child.

On this blog we have discussed the importance of prenuptial agreements. This agreement is essentially a contract between two individuals entered into before marriage that spells out how their finances will be handled in the event of divorce. While it primarily deals with property division, it can address other issues from alimony to social media accounts. It's an agreement that really allows parties to get creative to find a way to alleviate financial tensions, thereby allowing the couple to focus on their relationship.

Certain issues cannot be addressed in a prenuptial agreement, though. Child custody and support, for example, are off limits. That means that these issues will have to be addressed either through negotiations or litigation during the divorce process, should the relationship get to that point.

Surrogacy can be a great way for a family to begin or expand their brood, especially when a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy on her own. While this arrangement can prove beneficial to all parties involved, the success of such an arrangement is often dependent upon how that agreement is drafted. The law requires surrogacy pregnancies to be documented in a surrogacy agreement, but those who are unfamiliar with the legal process involved may wind up running afoul of the law. This could result in negative results. When dealing with a child's life, parents' expectations, and extensive medical costs, there is a lot at stake.

Therefore, it is often wise to seek the assistance of an attorney who knows the law surrounding surrogacy. Those attorneys who are experienced can help advise parties about the process so that they know exactly what to expect, including information about timelines and cost. Additionally, a lawyer can help with the surrogate selection process by providing objectivity during a time when emotions may cloud judgment. But that's just the start.