Riverside Family Law Blog

In the latter part of 2018, California lawmakers approved some changes to the way that judges view the family pet in a divorce. Essentially, the court can decide joint or sole ownership and establish a visitation schedule -- much like what is done with child custody. The court will also take into consideration who has been the pet's primary caretaker and what's in the best interest of the animal.

So, how do you prove that you're the family pet's primary caretaker in court? If you suspect it will be an issue, you need to start gathering evidence. Some of the most important things you can use include:

• Your invoice for the purchase of the pet, if you bought it from a breeder or store, showing that you as the owner
• Your registration papers, if the animal is a pure breed dog or cat, showing your ownership
• All your pet's medical records, including receipts, showing that you paid for the animal's treatment
• Records of any training classes you attended with your pet, like obedience school for dogs
• Receipts from any pet sitting service or boarder where your animal was cared for when you were out of town
• Photographs of you and your pet together -- especially of you caring for your pet's needs (such as photos of you walking the dog or teaching the dog to play "fetch")

Just like marriage, you should be fully committed before you take a big step like divorce. No attorney wants to initiate a divorce for a client only to find out that the client really isn't ready to take that step. It can make the entire process much more drawn-out and painful.

So, should you consider marriage counseling before you head for the divorce attorney's office? Is it worth it? Does it ever work?

When you're in the midst of a bad marriage and an even worse divorce, it can be almost impossible to foresee a time when you'll actually be happy again.

Guess what? It will happen. There's "life after divorce" and those who have been where you are now can tell you all about it. Here are some of the ways that your life after divorce will be changed for the better:

1. Your life will get predictable again. The drama will stop because there will be no more fights to have, motions to make or papers to sign.
2. You get to remake all the rules for the way you live. You can sleep with the television on and adjust the thermostat however you want now without worrying about anybody's preferences but your own.
3. You can set your own schedule. If you want to go out after work with friends, you can do it without feeling guilty (or getting a guilt trip). You no longer have to justify how you spend your time to anyone.
4. If you have kids, you get a guaranteed night off. That may be more than you could say when you were married -- and it's a distinct upside to shared custody.
5. You have full control of your finances again. On one hand, that can be scary -- but it's also uplifting. You no longer have to explain every purchase or sneak something you bought into the house because you know your spouse won't approve.

How do you help your children cope with their new reality following your breakup with your spouse? Whether you're newly separated or already divorced, there are a lot of transitions going on your child's life.

One of the best ways you may be able to help your child process those changes is through the magic of reading.