Choose Your Filing Options Wisely in a Military Divorce

One-quarter of all active duty United States Navy and United States Marine Corps personnel are based in San Diego County. Add the large number of veterans, retirees, reservists and National Guard, and the significant influence of the military is apparent. When you are a civilian facing divorce, you file in the state where you live.…

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Tips on How to Find the Best Family Law Attorney for You

by Frann Setzer, Esq. MBA/Certified Family Law Specialist Lewis, Warren & Setzer, LLP It surprises me how many phone calls I receive from potential clients whose first question is, ‘what is your hourly rate?’  While I appreciate that legal help is not inexpensive, my experience is that receiving advice from a qualified professional is invaluable.…

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Don’t Trash Talk Your Ex: Staying Civil After Divorce

Among the many significant benefits of collaborative divorce is providing a framework for respectful, civil discussion between spouses about difficult issues. By remaining civil, emotional stress is lessened on everyone in the family, especially the children. Once the divorce is final, parents need to continue those respectful communication practices as they work together to raise…

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Choose Your Divorce Date

by Carol Severance, Attorney at Law and Certified Family Law Specialist You chose your wedding date and you and your spouse can choose your divorce date. Some people think the day the Judge signs your Judgment is the day your marriage terminates. But that’s not always true.  Spouses have some control over that date. A…

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Your Brain on Collaborative Divorce

By Garrison “Bud” Klueck Americans of a certain age likely recall a memorable TV commercial.  The TV image is that of someone breaking an egg.  The voice-over announcer says “This is your brain.”  It then cuts to a very hot frying pan sizzling.  The egg is dropped into the pan, where it rapidly fried.  The…

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Hildy Fentin named President of Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Contact: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, Falcon Valley Group 619-997-2495 / gayle@falconvalleygroup.com (SAN DIEGO) – Family law attorney and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediator and collaborator Hildy Fentin has been named President of the Southern California chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers for the 2014-2015 term. Fentin is the first attorney named to this…

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Six Tips for Separating Emotions from Economics in Divorce

by Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP®, CDFA  They say that a bad marriage is like a game of cards. You start out with two hearts and a diamond – but end up wishing for a club and a spade. When those feelings surface during a divorce, it leads to unproductive conflict and often results in a…

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More Women Are Paying Child Support and Spousal Support

When a female celebrity making big money paid out spousal support, it made headlines: Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson. Now the trend is trickling down. Women are breaking professional and societal barriers at a tremendous rate today. Women professionals, entrepreneurs, military and organizational leaders are no longer considered unusual. Just as gender…

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Five Tips For Successfully Negotiating Your Divorce

by Michele Sacks Lowenstein, Attorney, California State Bar Certified Family Law Specialist, Lowenstein Brown, A.P.L.C. Trying to negotiate a divorce in a conference room with either a mediator or two attorneys is hard work. However, the result can be worthwhile if you bear in mind that you are a parent forever and the story of your…

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Collaborative Divorce Method Mirrors Reality, Replacing Fear With Relief

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by Meredith G. Lewis, Esq.  Certified Legal Specialist-Family Law Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Lewis, Warren & Setzer, LLP For the first several years of my family law practice, I represented clients who were looking to the judicial system to make decisions regarding their children, finances and property.  These clients felt it appropriate to provide a…

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