New Perlu Members 11/22-11/28

If a parent or spouse voluntarily becomes unemployed or quits a job and takes a lower-paying job that does not meet their earning potential, the Court can impute income to that person when calculating support. For example, if a parent was earning $100,000 before the parties split, and then quits their job after the split and takes a job earning $50,000, the Court can use the $100,000 income figure when calculating support, even though that party is no longer earning $100,000. For example, if a parent or spouse owns a property with a fair monthly rental value of $3,500 but rents it out for only $2,000 a month, a Court can use the property’s fair rental value when determining that parent or spouse If there is evidence that a parent or spouse has intentionally reduced or altered their income to minimize a support obligation, Courts have the power to impute income to that parent or spouse.

” Examples of coercive control include, but are not limited to, unreasonably engaging in any of the following: (1) Isolating the other party from friends, relatives, or other sources of support. (3) Controlling, regulating, or monitoring the other party’s movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic resources, or access to services. (4) Compelling the other party by force, threat of force, or intimidation, including threats based on actual or suspected immigration status, to engage in conduct from which the other party has a right to abstain or to abstain from conduct in which the other party has a right to engage. Depriving the other party of basic necessities could easily mean that refusing to provide voluntary child support and/or spousal support (attempting to starve out the other spouse) is now domestic violence.

The Reape-Rickett Law Firm is proud to announce Shareholder Matthew A. Breddan, Esq., Attorney Lawrence R. Goldman, and Donald R. Klahs, Of Counsel, have received the AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. In addition to receiving the AV Preeminent Rating, Mr. Breddan has received the Super Lawyers distinction for nine years in acknowledgment of his high degree of peer recognition and professional achievements in family law. Donald R. Klahs has over 35 years of experience and served clients throughout the Santa Clarita Valley before joining The Reape-Rickett Law Firm as an Of Counsel member. As members of The Reape-Rickett Law Firm, Mr. Breddan, Mr. Goldman, and Mr. Klahs are committed to providing distinguished family law services for families across Conejo Valley, Los Angeles, and Santa Clarita Valley.

Don’t Forget to Plan a Prenuptial or Post-Nuptial Agreement Marriage is an exciting step in one’s life, and beyond committing to a shared lifetime of experiences, marriage can join individual assets, debts, and future earnings and liabilities. Both prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements are legal documents that help couples decide how to protect their individual assets before or during marriage and often address factors such as spousal support, future income, retirement, asset division, and liabilities. When to Use a Prenuptial Agreement or a Post-Nuptial Agreement Prenuptial agreements are signed before the parties are married (at least several days or weeks before the ceremony), and post-nuptial agreements are signed after marriage. Postnuptial agreements are entered into between spouses during a marriage for a variety of reasons including, to change the character of the property, clarify ownership of property, to amend or revoke a prenuptial agreement, or in the event one spouse suddenly comes into considerable wealth from an asset that had little value before the marriage.

As a member of The Reape-Rickett Law Firm, Mr. Pinsky will continue his focus on mediation services, enhancing the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution options for families seeking solutions outside of the courtroom. In addition to decades of experience assisting clients with their family law matters, Mr. Pinsky has volunteered as Judge Pro Tem and Family Law Mediator throughout Los Angeles County Courts, ensuring equitable access to our legal system. Mr. Pinsky is also a founding member of the Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association, established in 2005, and a member of the Family Law Sections of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, and California Bar Association. With over 300 years of combined legal experience, our team of attorneys assists clients with issues ranging from High-Net Worth Divorce to Mediation, Paternity, Child Custody, and Visitation, Child and Spousal Support, Property Issues, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Grandparents’ Rights, Prenuptial and Post Marital Agreements and more.

Thank you, Santa Clarita, for voting The Reape-Rickett Law Firm the Best Family Law Firm for the eighth consecutive year! This mission serves as our guiding principle, ensuring our team provides caring and steadfast advocacy for our clients by empowering them with the information and guidance they need to make the best decision for themselves and their families. In addition to empowering our clients, The Reape-Rickett Law Firm is committed to supporting our community and have assisted survivors of domestic violence, children and families experiencing hardships and local non-profits. Thank you again for your vote of confidence in The Reape-Rickett Law Firm as the Best Family Law Firm in Santa Clarita.

In this new role, he is excited to continue advocating for member development and strengthening community outreach through dynamic partnerships and programs which serve the critical needs of our community. Upon joining The Reape-Rickett Law Firm in 2013 as a Shareholder, he was able to expand our presence in San Fernando and Conejo Valleys while continuing our mission of empowering our clients and community. In addition to his years of service on the SFVBA Executive Committee, Mr. Breddan has volunteered his time in the Judge Pro Tem program, served as Chair on the Family Law Executive Committee, and is a member of Haven Hills Domestic Violence Agency Board of Directors. As a family law practitioner for over twenty-five years, Mr. Breddan understand the value of strong professional relationships and the importance of professional organizations such as the SFVBA for providing critical support and resources for the membership and community it serves.

For many parents, the new school year means new schedules and sometimes adjustments to custody or visitation orders. For example, existing orders that specify pick-up or drop-off at school can be modified so that parents keep the same pick-up or drop-off time but find an alternate location, such as a parent’s house or other safe location, if both parents can agree. It is important to remember that changes brought by COVID-19 and Shelter at Home orders, or a change in school operations, does not override existing visitation orders, nor does it relieve a parent from their obligations. If you need to modify support or custody and visitation orders, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process to protect your children and your rights.

Consequently, more married couples are entering into marriage with student loan debt or taking out student loans during the marriage. California is a community property state, and the general presumption is that debt incurred during the marriage is considered community property, and debt incurred before marriage or after the date of separation is considered separate property. For the Court to determine the community has substantially benefitted from the student loans, there must be evidence such as a higher standard of living, a substantial increase of assets, etc. as a result of the spouse’s education paid by community property. If you have questions about student loans and divorce or other property division issues in family law, having an experienced family law attorney by your side can help protect your rights and property.

The Reape-Rickett Law Firm is proud to announce Shareholder Matthew Breddan, Esq. has been elected as the Secretary of the Haven Hills Domestic Violence Agency Board of Directors. As a current member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Breddan is excited to step into his new role as Secretary and continue to contribute to their mission of providing safety, shelter, and support to survivors of domestic violence. Throughout his career, Mr. Breddan has represented and advocated for domestic violence survivors and recognizes the vital role organizations like Haven Hills has in helping people break free from abuse. After joining The Reape-Rickett Law Firm as a Shareholder in 2013, Mr. Breddan and the firm expanded their support for Haven Hills through event sponsorships and direct support, including providing holiday meals for families at the shelter.