10 tips to help you organize and prepare yourself for a difficult conversation: telling your spouse. One of the first questions I get from people who consult with me is “How do I tell my spouse?” Even if you believe your spouse sees it coming (or should have...
from Song by Todd Rundgren, 1978 If you’ve had enough birthdays, you may remember this 70’s song by Todd Rundgren. He poses a question that comes up at the end of relationships. Maybe, if we can still be friends, it will soften the blow, lessen the pain. A more...
The Petition Opens a file: Filing a petition for dissolution of marriage (divorce) simply opens a file at the courthouse and gives you a file number to use in the future. Nothing else will ever happen if no one files anything further. In fact, the court is obligated...
A recent Google search of the average cost of a divorce estimates $30,000, or $15,000/per person, https://www.thumbtack.com/p/divorce-cost. We all know that divorce is expensive, the filing fee alone is $435 in Sonoma County. So what can you and your...
As a retired Superior Court Family Law Commissioner, I firmly believe that if you can find a way to stay out of court, do so for the following reasons: Time Constraints – The Family Court system is underfunded and understaffed. Even a relatively simple case can...