Recent Blog Posts

Slash of Guns N' Roses Files for Divorce

Claery & Green — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:15:00 GMT

This week, it has been announced that rock star Slash is terminating his marriage.

According to court documents, the lead guitarist filed for divorce on Monday from his wife whom he was married to for nine years.

Slash's real name is Saul Hudson and he was well-known for playing with bands Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver.

In the filing, it is stated that he and his wife Perla separated in July due to irreconcilable differences. They share two sons, ages 8 and 6. Slash is planning to seek joint custody of his children and asking a judge to determine the amount of spousal support he will have to pay.

TMZ was the first to break the news about the celebrity divorce and filing.

If you are planning to file fordivorce in Los Angeles, it is important that you hire a Los Angeles divorce lawyer who can help you get through your proceedings and obtain positive and results. To speak with a lawyer that handles divorce cases in California, contact Claery & Green now.

Survey Shows Significant Number of Men are Victims of Domestic Violence

Claery & Green — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:00:00 GMT

In a new study, it has been reported that two in five of all victims of domestic violence are in fact none. This study contradicts a widespread impression that only women are victims of domestic abuse in the United States.

In the study, which was put together by the men's rights campaign group Parity, it is asserted that men who are assaulted by their partners are often ignored by law enforcement. The studies numbers show that the number of men who are assaulted by their wives or girlfriends is much higher than most would think.

Domestic Violence: The Male Perspective says, "Domestic violence is often seen as a female victim/male perpetrator problem, but the evidence demonstrates that this is a false picture."

Some of the data reveals that men made up about 40% of domestic violence victims from 2008 to 2009, which is quite significant.

Have you been the victim of domestic violence in Los Angeles? Get the help you need to put an end to the abuse by contacting our law office and speaking with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

Study Shows How Divorced Spouses Cope with Divorce

Claery & Green — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:00:00 GMT

According to a new study, when people are in the midst of divorce, they cannot reveal how they are coping with it. However, researchers say people can guess how divorcees are feeling not by what they say, but how they say it.

The University of Arizona study shows that even complete strangers are able to guess how divorcees are handling their emotions using just a few snippets of information. The study is one of a number of studies that examines interpersonal distress. In this case, the journal Psychological Science says people were monitored at the end of their marriages.

Ashley Mason, a university doctoral student who conducted the research, said, "'We wanted to know how much information people actually need in order to know how another person is coping." She said men and women who had recently gone through divorce or separation were recruited for the University's study. They were asked to complete questionnaires and provide audio recordings of their thoughts and feelings about their prior relationship and former partners. Other people were able to guess how people were coping with their divorces by listening to the recordings.

Are you going through a tough divorce? Contact Claery & Green to speak with aLos Angeles divorce attorney.

Key Things to Remember about Power of Attorney

Claery & Green — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:30:00 GMT

If we are in the process of planning your estate, one thing you should be aware of is power of attorney. Essentially, power of attorney gives another person the power to act on your behalf. The thing to remember is that power of attorney is only as great as the language that controls it and words in documents can be taken in numerous ways. For this reason, it is important to be very specific when designating power of attorney to ensure everything is executed according to your wishes.

Another thing to remember about power of attorney is that it is only valid while the person who granted authority is still alive. When that person dies, but power of attorney expires. However, as long as the person is alive and no changes are made to the power of attorney agreement, the arrangement will remain in place.

If you need assistance with durable power of attorney for healthcare or for your property, contact Claery & Green to discuss your estate planning needs with a Los Angeles family lawyer today.

California Senate Passes Two New Domestic Violence Bills

Claery & Green — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Recently in Sacramento, it has been reported that Counties may raise fees on marriage licenses by up to $10. The increase is meant to help fund domestic violence shelters under a new bill that was sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger by the state Senate.

So far, Counties are ready collective $23 fee on all marriage licenses to fund domestic violence shelters. If the new bill gets approved, county supervisors can increase the fee to $33. Senator Leland Yee said the increase would offset a drop in state funding that has recently forced four domestic violence shelters to close. His bill, SB662, was approved on a 21 to 13 vote. Yee is a Democrat from the city of San Francisco.

The Senate also sent the governor a second domestic violence bill, SB782, which would protect victims from retaliation if they are involved in a domestic abuse dispute and it passed with a vote of 22 to 14.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence, get the help you need by contacting a Los Angeles family law attorney today!

Frank McCourt Gives Huge Donation Depsite Divorce

Claery & Green — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:55:00 GMT

Many have said that these are tough times for Dodgers' owner, Frank McCourt.

Currently, McCourt is involved in a multimillion dollar divorce with his estranged wife, Jamie. And according to one of his court filings, he is always low on money. Not to mention, his ownership of the team is constantly under scrutiny.

This week, McCourt stepped to the stage at a gala to accept an award from the Los Angeles Police Protective League's charity, the Eagle & Badge Foundation. He allegedly decided to give away one of the few things that he has a lot of nowadays, Dodgers tickets.

He promised to give 10,000 men and women of the police force vouchers for four tickets each, a total of 40,000 tickets, which is equivalent to $1.25 million Josh Rawitch, the Dodgers' VP of Communications, said "This is certainly one of the largest charitable donation made to a single organization by the Dodgers in recent memory."

When asked if McCourt could afford it due to his divorce proceeding, Rawitch replied, "Yes, of course."

Are you going through a difficult divorce in Los Angeles? If so, contact Claery & Green to set up a consultation with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.

DNA Test Reveal that Bobby Fischer is Not Child's Father

Claery & Green — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:00:00 GMT

In Iceland, it has been reported that legendary chess player Bobby Fischer is not the father of a Filipino girl. DNA tests of tissue samples taken from his corpse remain in Iceland.

Thordur Bogason, the attorney for nine-year-old Jinky Young, whose mother claims is Fischer's daughter, told reporters that the DNA test results now and the paternity case that was filed in Iceland's Supreme Court.

Back in June, the court had allowed DNA testing to settle the paternity case. Fischer's body was exhumed from the burial site in July so tissues could be gathered.

The DNA test results are responsible for narrowing down the number of claimants to the chess legend's estate which is allegedly worth $2 million.

If you need assistance with a paternity matter or a DNA testing matter in the city of Los Angeles, contact Claery & Green and get representation from a Los Angeles family law attorney.

The Jacksons Planning to Divorce after Five Years of Estrangement

Claery & Green — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:48:00 GMT

After 60 long years of marriage, Michael Jackson's parents announced that they would be getting divorced. Katherine Jackson is allegedly tired of her husband Joe's cruel behavior.

Five years ago, the couple became estranged and Katherine reportedly decided to file for divorce after 81-year-old Joe suggested that she was to blame for Michael's death.

Joe Jackson, who was accused of abusing Michael while he was a child, said in June, "I baked her to go over and stay with him, but she insisted he needed his privacy." The couple started living separately five years ago.

Katherine currently has child custody of Michael's children Prince, Paris and Blanket. She resides in the family's Encino mansion while Joe Jackson lives in Las Vegas.

If you are having difficulties with family law issues such as child custody or divorce, contact our law office to get help from a Los Angeles family lawyer today.

New York Finally Allows No-Fault Divorce

Claery & Green — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:00:00 GMT

On Sunday, Gov. David A. Paterson signed into law a package of bills including one that would make the marriages dissolvable by mutual consent.

The new bill, known as the no-fault divorce bill, allows couples in the state of New York to terminate their marriages by mutual consent and without one spouse having to accuse the other of grounds for divorce such as imprisonment, adultery, cruelty or abandonment. It also allows one spouse to divorce the other spouse unilaterally.

Supporters of the recent bill said it would end an epidemic of perjury in the divorce courts as some spouses have falsely testified to wrongdoing in order to get a divorce. One opponent of the new bill is the Roman catholic church which said no fault divorce would increase divorce rates.

Governor Paterson said, "finally, New York has brought its divorce laws into the 21st century."

If you are going through a divorce and you would like legal help, contact Claery & Green to speak with a Los Angeles divorce attorney.

Dennis Rodman Fails to Pay Child Support

Claery & Green — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:45:00 GMT

This week, the former wife of Dennis Rodman said that the former NBA player continues to fail to pay her child support and that his delinquency has caused her to be evicted, twice.

Michelle Rodman says that the basketball player owes her more than $500,000 for their son D.J. and their daughter, Trinity. She said that he has yet to keep up with the $50,000 a month payments that he was ordered to make.

Recently, Michelle filed papers in Orange County Superior Court that report Rodman's failure to pay. She said that he failed to pay her rent twice since 2009, resulting in two evictions.

Rodman's legal team say that the former NBA player will start to pay Michelle's rent once she moves into a less expensive property. They also allege that Michelle is living outside of her means. Rodman had his child support payments increased in March, but has been trying to get them lowered because he cannot afford them.

If you need assistance with a child support related matter, contact our law office to speak with a Los Angeles family lawyer.

Company Offers Divorce Insurance

Claery & Green — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:03:00 GMT

News sources are buzzing about a North Carolina based company by the name of SafeGuard Guaranty Corp. The company claims that it is the world's first divorce insurance offering and was recently interviewed by the New York Times.

The company offers WedLock insurance, which is sold in units of protection. The coverage is meant to cover the cost of divorce proceedings, including legal fees and setting up a new residence.

The company says that their product retails at $15.99 per unit per month. Each unit offers $1,250 in coverage and would be payable in a lump sum in the event of divorce. People can buy as many units as they think they may need.

If people's marriages end, the company aims to give peace of mind by offering insurance. The New York Times says that it would be better to put the money away in a bank account. However, John A. Logan, chief executive officer of SafeGuard Guaranty told the news source, "There is nothing to stop your spouse from raiding those investments and taking it all. And then with all the money gone, you're left with all the legal bills."

Going through a difficult divorce? Get the legal help you need by contacting Claery & Green and discussing your case with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.

Missing Woman was Inquiring About Divorce Before Disappearance

Claery & Green — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:10:00 GMT

In Cape Cod, it is reported that a woman by the name of Trudie Hall was supposed to meet with a divorce attorney the day after she was reported as missing.

Hall, who is 23 and pregnant, disappeared after coming to the Cape Cod area on July 27^th. She had inquired about divorce proceedings earlier this month at the Nantucket Probate and Family Court office, said an official source. After inquiring, she was told to come back on the 29^th to meet with the court's attorney of the day. However, she never showed up for her appointment.

Three dozen officers spent seven hours searching for Hall yesterday on several hundred acres of conservation land. Sources that are close to the case believe that Hall is dead.

At this time, no one has been charged in Hall's disappearance and police have not identified suspects. According to court documents, Hall was married to Doucet McDowe in 2009.

If you are going through a Los Angeles divorce and would like legal assistance, contact Claery & Green to meet with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.

What is a Living Trust?

Amber Lancour — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:00:00 GMT

A living trust is an arrangement where one person is appointed as a trustee. Once appointed, the trustee holds legal title to property that is to be owned by another person, known as a beneficiary. Living trusts are a type of simple will that people can create while they are still living.

People often create living trusts to avoid probate, lessen estate taxes and also to set up long-term property management for their valuables and assets. By taking the time to create a living trust, people can avoid having the need for probate and the paying of probate fees.

Generally, there are two popular types of living trusts. The first is a basic living trust for an individual or a couple that avoids probate. The second is an AB trust for a couple that avoids probate and saves money on estate taxes.

To learn more about living trusts, contact Claery & Green and speak with a Los Angeles family law attorney today!

Mel Gibson's Child Custody Battle Continues

Claery & Green — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:00:00 GMT

This week, it is reported that the closed-court child custody hearing between Mel Gibson and his former girlfriend, Oksana Grigoriev, ended without much finality. It is reported that no changes were made in their custody arrangement.

Lead attorney for the actor, Blair Birk, and other attorneys appeared in Scott Gordon's downtown courtroom just before 4:30 PM. When asked questions by the press, each responded "no comment".

The lawyers all met behind closed doors, spending the time arguing over Oksana Grigorieva's motion to have all access and custody rights removed. Her legal team made it clear that she does not want Mel Gibson to see their eight month old daughter.

At this time, it is said the couple will have to appear in court in the near future for the restraining order Oksana Grigorieva had against Gibson.

Need assistance with a family law matter in L.A.? If so, contact Claery & Green to speak with a Los Angeles family law attorney!

U.S. Divorce Statistics

Claery & Green — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:40:00 GMT

It appears that the more marriages a person has, the more likely that he or she will divorce. Enrichment Journal claims that in America:

§ The divorce rate for a first marriage is 41%

§ The divorce rate for a second marriage is 60%

§ The divorce rate for a third marriage is 73%

Additionally, the Discovery Channel recently released a report which said that couples with children have a lower rate of divorce than those without children. Some sociologists have speculated that childlessness may be a common cause of divorce in the United States. According to the Discover Channel's report, the absence of children may leave spouses lonely and at list 66% of all divorced spouses have no children.

If you are going through a divorce in Los Angeles, now is the time to speak with a Los Angeles divorce attorney at Claery & Green. Contact our law office today to learn more about your legal options and rights.