California Divorce Blawg

Telling Young Children About Divorce

Click here for advice on explaining to your young children that their parents are divorcing.

Did Nicole Kidman learn nothing from her divorce from Tom Cruise?

The “Stepford Wives” star is reportedly getting married to country crooner Keith Urban without a prenuptial agreement. Although Kidman and the much higher-earning Cruise are said to have had a lengthy and complex pre-nup, but according to the London Sun, Kidman and Urban have “told pals” that they will get hitched without the contract. The two reportedly have similar incomes.  Click here for more.

California Billionaire Must Produce Records in Divorce Dispute – Lower Court Ruling Striking Down Privacy Statute Left Standing

This week the California Supreme Court rejected efforts by billionaire Ronald W. Burkle to keep 1,200 pages of documents involved in his divorce under seal.  He had argued that the need for keeping them from the public was necessary in order to protect his children.  On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court let stand a decision by a lower appeals court that had struck down a law that would have kept the records from public view.  Click here for more.

U.S Supreme Court Allows Lesbian To Seek Parental Rights

The Supreme Court said Monday it would not block a lesbian from seeking parental rights to a child she helped raise with her longtime partner.  The ruling reinforces the laws in those states that have recognized parental rights of same sex partners.  California is one of those states.  Click here for more.

Case Law Development: Ninth Circuit Says Gays Must Await Outcome of State Appeals before Asking Federal Court for Help

A three judge panel of the 9th United States Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that a gay California couple must await the outcome of pending litigation that is already challenging California's 's state law banning gay marriage before asking federal courts for help. The couple had challenged the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Act limits federal marriage benefits to traditional married couples -- a man and a woman. Click here for more.

Case Law Development: Effect of Bankruptcy Discharge on State Court Judgements to Enforce Non-Discharged Debts

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit was called upon to revisit what it characterized as the “ceaseless litigation” involved following a couple’s divorce in 1993. The case addresses the issue of discharge of debt in bankruptcy but also provides yet another example of how difficult and contentious efforts to enforce obligations under divorce judgments can be.  Click here for more.