Recent Blog Posts

Virginia's New Adoption Bill Viewed as Discriminatory

Riverside Family Lawyer — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

A bill that just went through the Virginia Senate this month may spark debate across the state. If the bill is approved and signed into law, it will seriously affect adoptions. Known as the "conscience clause" bill, or SB 349, it states that adoption agencies with religious affiliations would be allowed to reject certain parents whose religious beliefs did not coincide with the agencies' own beliefs. Those that are protesting the bill say that it is aimed primarily at gay and lesbian parents that are trying to adopt children.

Under the new bill, these agencies would be allowed to turn away otherwise qualified parents based on their sexual preferences. Virginia law currently states that any adoption agency is allowed to place a child with a gay couple. However, any couple that is unmarried, whether straight or gay, is prohibited from adopting a child in the state. If you have questions about adoption, know that our law firm handles step-parent adoption cases and would be happy to address your concerns. To enlist our help, contact the Law Office of Michael Young now and set up a time to speak with a Riverside family law attorney.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand Reach Divorce Settlement

Riverside Family Lawyer — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:13:00 GMT

When singer Katy Perry announced that she was divorcing her comedian husband Russell Brand, the pair had to go through the property division process just like any other couple. Now, it appears a settlement has been reached between the two. Perry is believed to have made over $44 million during their marriage of just 18 months. Since they are seeking a divorce in California, which is a community property state, Brand could have walked away with half of that amount. However, he decided that he did not want half of her money.

Although the terms of their divorce settlement have not been made public, it has been revealed that Perry signed the property agreement papers with a smiley face and heart next to her name. It has also been reported that once the divorce has been finalized, Perry has decided to go back to her maiden name, Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. People going through divorces in California should contact the Law Office of Michael Young today to get assistance from a Riverside family lawyer from our team that can help with the process and related matters, such as property division.

Tragic Killing Sparks Child Custody Debate

Riverside Family Lawyer — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Tragedy struck in Utah last week when an enraged father took the life of his two sons. All three died in a house fire, an incident that now has people across the country talking about child custody battles. The father, J.P., first came into the limelight when his wife went missing. Since that time, he lost custody of his sons, ages 5 and 7. However, both of the sons were at his Utah home when he set it on fire. Police are still investigating the incident to determine just how this was possible.

This tragedy has started a national debate about changing child custody laws. There are several states that are currently in the process of altering existing legislation. However, the final decision always comes from the judge overhearing a child custody case. Once this decision has been made, there is sometimes a disconnect between what has been agreed upon and what actually happens with the children, such as the case involving J.P.'s children. If you are going through a tumultuous legal battle over custody, contact the Law Office of Michael Young now to discuss your options with a Riverside family lawyer.

Courtney Love Subjected to Daughter's Restraining Order

Riverside Family Lawyer — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:10:00 GMT

Singer Courtney Love's daughter filed a restraining order against her in 2009 and now she is being blamed for the death of family pets as well. According to Love's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, her mother's drug problems ultimately led to the death of a beloved dog and cat. The daughter testified that her mother's hoarding habit caused the death of family pets which could have been avoided. The then-19-year-old filed a restraining order against her mother when the two got into a physical altercation at home.

As a result of that fight, the judge granted a restraining order not just to the daughter, but for several other family members as well. All of this information was finally made public when Love spoke with an addictions website about her fight to stay sober and what it has cost her professionally and personally. If you are in need of a restraining order because you are facing threats, abuse, and/or harassment contact the Law Office of Michael Young now to get a Riverside family law attorney involved immediately.

Getting Child Support in Different Types of Custody Situations

Riverside Family Lawyer — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

As a mother, raising your child can be extremely rewarding, but also stressful. If you cannot support your child financially on your own income, it may be time to consider asking the child's father to contribute. Before you can ask for child support, however, there are a few items that you need to first consider. In most cases, the custodial parent is the person that receives child support. This means that you are legally responsible for your child and the child lives with you full-time. While the other parent may have visitation rights, you are the one that can legally make decisions that will affect your child.

When you are in a joint custody situation, both parents are considered to be custodial. Therefore, it may be more difficult to obtain child support because the child lives with you and his/her other parent on an equal basis. If you are in this type of situation, you'll want to obtain assistance from an experienced Riverside family law attorney from our office. Once you contact the Law Office of Michael Young, we will get involved in your case immediately to help you seek the financial contributions you need to raise your child.

Kim Kardashian's Divorce May Be Televised

Riverside Family Lawyer — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

The divorce between reality star Kim Kardashian and husband Kris Humphries may be televised. Some experts believe that the trial could go on for weeks even though the marriage lasted less than three months and not it may be aired on TV. After Kim filed for divorce, Kris countered with a lawsuit claiming fraud on Kim's behalf. His claim that she entered the marriage fraudulently is going to delay the divorce process. Until a judge decides whether Kris' claim of fraud is valid, the divorce cannot be finalized.

The two are expected in court this summer to discuss their marriage. Attorneys for both sides are likely to bring other members of the Kardashian family to the witness stand, which means that the trial could go on for awhile. Some legal experts say that the case is expected to be as popular as the O.J. Simpson trial that dominated the media years ago. If you are going through a divorce and hope to avoid a drawn out process, contact the Law Office of Michael Young now to get help from a Riverside family lawyer today.

Fourth Grader Served with a Restraining Order

Riverside Family Lawyer — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:10:00 GMT

News sources reported that a fourth grader in California was served with a restraining order after threatening a fellow student with a knife. Last week the young boy, who remains unnamed, reportedly threatened a classmate with the weapon. The 10-year-old then told the victim that he would find him after school and implicated that he would attack him. When the victim's father learned about the assault, he immediately went to see a judge. He was granted a temporary restraining order that was served to the young boy and the school district.

The order states that the offender must stay within 20 feet of his classmate at all times. The case will go before a judge again later next month, at which point it will be decided whether to make the restraining order permanent or to withdraw it. The police captain involved with the case stated that this was the first time that he had seen a restraining order placed for someone so young. In need of a restraining order due to someone else's threatening behavior? Take the time to contact the Law Office of Michael Young to get immediate help from an experienced Riverside family lawyer.

Halle Berry Revisiting Terms of Child Custody Agreement

Riverside Family Lawyer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

An actress and former male model are back in court to discuss the terms of their child custody agreement. Halle Berry, 45, wants to prevent the baby's father from having any ability to spend time alone with the little girl. The two were seen entering a court in Los Angeles, California last week for a closed court session. The issue at hand is whether the judge will support Berry's decision or allow the father, Gabriel Aubry, 36, to have part-time custody of their 3-year-old daughter.

The actress claims that Aubry pushed their nanny into a wall while she was holding their daughter. Berry said in court papers that this led her to become increasingly concerned about the welfare of their toddler while she is with the father. On another date, the nanny allegedly went to pick up the little girl from pre-school as planned. When she got there, however, the little girl was absent. The nanny learned that the toddler had been absent for two days even though the father was supposed to drop her off to school on both dates. If you are encountering difficulties with your child custody arrangement, don't wait to get a Riverside family law attorney involved by contacting the Law Office of Michael Young today.

Protecting Yourself Financially as a Woman Going Through Divorce

Riverside Family Lawyer — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Are you a woman considering divorce? If so, there are certain things that you should try to do before you file. By doing these things in advance, you will better prepare yourself for the future when you are not married:

First, it is important to try and establish credit in your own name. You can do this by opening a credit card alone or putting some money into savings.
If you have joint debts with your spouse, discuss your legal options with a Riverside family law attorney as soon as possible.
Have a mortgage? Consider getting mortgage insurance so that your family is not left without a home.
Take extra time to review the details of your divorce settlement. While you may be anxious to get your divorce over with, you may regret rushing through the process later on. Make sure you are happy with everything that is discussed in the agreement before signing the papers.

Finally, if you have additional questions related to your divorce and financial well-being post-divorce, contact the Law Office of Michael Young now so you can arrange a time to speak with a lawyer from our firm.

Child Custody: Moving to a New State

Riverside Family Lawyer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Child custody laws can be tricky, especially when they involve more than one state. If you have recently moved to a new state and want to declare custody in your new area of residence, you will have to learn more about that state's laws regarding child custody. In most cases, you will need to have been a resident of that state for at least six months before filing for custody. Some states recognize custody issues in the "home state" of the child. This is the state that the child has lived in since birth. If the child has moved from the home state, then the state in which the child has last lived for over six months will be considered the home state.

Rather than worry about federal and state laws regarding the custody of your child, you may wish to consult a Riverside family lawyer before you move to a new state. By contacting the Law Office of Michael Young, you'll have a chance to meet with an attorney who can listen to your situation, address your questions, and advise you of the laws surrounding child custody before you plan to move.

Will Same-Sex Divorce Rate be Comparable to Heterosexual Figures?

Riverside Family Lawyer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:15:00 GMT

With more states and municipalities allowing same-sex marriages to take place, same-sex divorce also needs to be taken into consideration and some are wondering if the divorce rate amongst this demographic will be high. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 42% of first heterosexual marriages end in divorce. The Center also reports that 60% of second marriages and 75% of third heterosexual marriages are terminated. Now that more same-sex couples are getting married or creating civil unions, the question stands as to whether the divorce rate will be any different in that community.

In the state of Washington, figures show that in 2010, 4% of same-sex marriages ended in divorce. However, while this figure is not really indicative of what the rate will be throughout the U.S. in coming years, some say that the divorce rate for same-sex couples will be much less than the rate for heterosexual couples. Do you have questions about divorce in the state of California? If so, contact the Law Office of Michael Young now to get immediate answers from a knowledgeable Riverside family law attorney from our team.

The Restraining Order Process

Riverside Family Lawyer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

When somebody has threatened you or your family, you may have justifiable cause to obtain a restraining order. However, it is not as easy as it may sound. Depending on what state you reside in, you will need to follow certain procedures in order to get a restraining order. There are three components to a obtaining a restraining order. You must first show that you qualify for the order, which means that you must prove to the court that you need one. The judge will then decide what level of protection you can receive (i.e. a temporary or permanent restraining order). Finally, the order will outline how the document is to be enforced by local and state law enforcement.

Once a restraining order is obtained, should the person listed on the document disobey the terms of the order, he or she may be arrested by police. Do you feel that you are in need of a restraining order due to domestic violence or someone else's threatening behavior? If so, contact the Law Office of Michael Young today to enlist the help of a Riverside family lawyer who can help you seek your order of protection in the state of California.

Sheriff Arrested after Domestic Attack

Law Office of Michael Young — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:35:00 GMT

On New Year's Eve it was reported that a sheriff was arrested for domestic violence inside of his home. According to news reports, the sheriff allegedly attacked his wife in front of their child during the holiday while engaged in a dispute. Following his arrest, the sheriff was charged with three misdemeanor crimes of dissuading a witness from testifying, domestic violence battery, and child endangerment.

After hearing the charges against the sheriff, a judge ordered him to stay away from his wife and son. His bail was set at $35,000 and a restraining order was signed. At this time, the wife of the sheriff has refused to say anything against her husband. She has publicly denied all claims of domestic violence and even though he is not supposed to be near her the wife stood by the sheriff's side in court during his hearing. When domestic violence occurs inside of the home, you need to put an end to the abuse to avoid further harm. One way in which you can end the abuse is by obtaining a restraining order. You will find it easier to obtain an order of protection when you work with a Riverside family lawyer from our firm. To enlist our assistance, contact the Law Office of Michael Young and let us help you put an end to maltreatment.

Man Kidnaps Ex to Get Child Support Payments Cancelled

Law Office of Michael Young — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:10:00 GMT

According to news sources, a man was involved in a dispute with his ex-girlfriend over child support payments. Instead of seeking legal action, he decided to kidnap his ex and was later caught by authorities. The 27-year-old man allegedly he did not receive his tax return earlier this month. Since he owed the mother of his child money for several late payments, the government took what was owed to her from his return. Once the man found out what happened to his tax return he went to his ex-girlfriend's apartment and kidnapped her.

He later confessed to police that he thought if he scared her she would request to cancel his child support payments. That is why he took her to the Department of Economic Security in Arizona so she could tell the staff that the payments should be terminated. However, when people at the office realized what was happening they were able to maneuver the woman away from her ex-boyfriend and contact authorities. If you need to have your child support payments modified, instead of taking matters into your own hands, contact the Law Office of Michael Young today to get help from a Riverside family lawyer who can help you take appropriate legal measures to reduce your payments.

Two Women in Same-Sex Relationship Find it Difficult to get a Divorce

Law Office of Michael Young — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Two women are finding it difficult to terminate their marriage and are trying to get divorced, but may not be able to due to their unique circumstances. The two were married in 2005 in Ontario, Canada, one of the few places in the world that performs same-sex marriages. A few years later, the women decided that their marriage was not going to work and planned to separate. Now, the two are trying to get a divorce but have come up against several obstacles.

One of the women is from Florida where same-sex marriage is not recognized and the other is from the UK where only civil partnerships are legal. In order to carry forth with their plans to dissolve their marriage, they flew back to Canada and tried to finalize their divorce there. However, a federal judge ruled that granting a divorce in their case would be illegal. In the U.S., couples may face obstacles as they set out to divorce due to laws or even issues such as child custody. If you are involved in a challenging divorce, contact the Law Office of Michael Young to get help from a Riverside family lawyer who can make the process easier for you.