According to RadarOnline.com Mel Gibson's ex-fiancee, Oksana Grigorieva, intends to take the stand against him to obtain child custody of their one-year-old daughter.

Gibson has already taken the stand back in November when his voice reportedly cracked as he spoke fondly of his daughter Lucia, as well as his other children.  Despite this public display of love for his kids Grigorieva, 40, wants to deny Gibson, 55, of overnight visits with Lucia. His team of lawyers is attempting to do the same in reverse, demanding that the singer not be allowed to have custody of their daughter.

It is now rumored that Gibson will not be testifying in the upcoming hearing.  Although he was intially going to do so, recent rumors are swirling that the actor will not be speaking for his side. In addition to the child custody case Gibson is also fighting the rumors that he punched Grigorieva in the head on Jan.6, 2010.  The singer is reported to have lost two veneers on her upper teeth as a result of the blow, all during which she was holding their daughter.

If you plan to pursue child custody, contact us to work with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

A woman in Australia is suing famous director Steven Soderbergh for child support after breaking the news that he has a daughter down under.

News of a possible daughter came to light when Frances Lawrencina Anderson slapped a paternity suit on Soderbergh. She asked for help with medical expenses for the duration of her pregnancy and produced a DNA test that revealed him to be the father.

The suit was filed on Wednesday in a state court in NYC wherein Anderson states that Soderbergh "has acknowledged he is the father of the child verbally." Efforts to contact Soderbergh, his lawyer and his publicist have all been denied.

This comes as a shock to Jules Asner, Soderbergh's wife since 2003.

Do you want to demand child support from the man who is the father of your child? If so, you need a Los Angeles family law attorney now who can help you fight for the funds you need and deserve.  Contact our law firm now!

Terrence Howard of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" fame will soon be divorcing his wife of just one year.

Court documents show that Michelle Howard is the one who petitioned for the divorce in a Los Angeles court. The papers were handed in on January 27, the same day that they were separated as well. Details of their divorce are minimal right now as Michelle listed "irreconcilable differences" as the reason.

The actor had already started controversy over his marriage by keeping it a secret for five months. They were married in Jan. 20, 2010 but Howard didn't announce it until the Cannes Festival in May. At that time he had told Anderson Cooper, "To come here and be with my wife, it's the best feeling in the world."

Now his wife is asking for miscellaneous jewelry, community assets as well as attorney fees. The actor is now on his third divorce; he was married to and divorced from Lori McCommas twice who is the mother of his three children.

Going through a divorce in L.A.?  Now is the time to contact Claery & Green to get assistance from a Los Angeles divorce lawyer.

After all of the time spent in the tabloids Eva Longoria and Tony Parker may not make front page news anymore as their divorce has been finalized. Parker brought the final documents to a courthouse in Texas on Friday and filed to end their marriage.

In Los Angeles Longoria's lawyer filed the appropriate paperwork to dismiss the original divorce petition that were filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. For those who are wondering why the couple decided to end their marriage in the state of Texas, it is because that is where their prenuptial agreement was signed. It is not just because the actress is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas.

According to sources close to Parker and Longoria all of the issues that arose during the divorce proceedings have been resolved and the pair is speaking amicably at this time.

If you're going through a divorce, the best thing you can do is hire a Los Angeles divorce lawyer as soon as possible.  Contact our law firm to learn how a divorce attorney can help you. 

If you are just started your divorce proceedings then you might not be familiar with the importance of a marital settlement agreement. Although each divorce situation is unique to the couple involved, most people will fall under the category of needing this agreement.

Those who are usually exempt from a marital settle agreement are those who have no joint debts, no children and no marital property. If that is the case then you are on good grounds for a no-fault divorce and it could be smooth sailing from here on out. However, many married couples do have one of the aforementioned items, making an agreement necessary to end the marriage.

In order to create boundaries in your relationship past the marriage stage, as well as give the court additional evidence about the specific day that you decide to get separated, a marital agreement settlement is necessary. It provides the details about the end of your marriage and why both parties are seeking divorce. This is in lieu of verbal understandings that can be both misinterpreted and not valid in court.

Depending on your state this agreement can make the divorce proceedings much easier. In California, for example, the court recognizes and appreciates this document, rewarding couples with a faster divorce hearing since you are showing that there is no contest to the divorce from either side.

Have questions about marital settlement agreements?  Contact us to get answers from a Los Angeles family law attorney. 

After just one year and three months of marriage actress Jaime Pressly has filed for divorce from husband Simran Singh. It looks like the Christmas holidays didn't bring cheer for the couple as court records show that they separated just two days after the holiday. This incident occurred a week and a half before Pressly was arrested on DUI charges.

Although not much is known yet about their separation the court records show a reason of "irreconcilable differences" listed for the pair. The actress is also denying Singh, an entertainment attorney, any spousal support. Friends close to the couple are starting to speak out about the relationship, one insider confiding that Singh was not so nice to his bride. "I think it comes down to she married this guy too fast," the friend said, "He seemed like a good guy but he is super full of himself and puts her down for everything."

Pressley is not only dealing with her divorce and DUI arrest but the actress is also under scrutiny from the IRS for owing as much as $637,000 in state and federal taxes.

Are you thinking about divorce?  If so, contact Claery & Green to discuss your case with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer. 

Domestic violence victims near Nova Southeastern University's College of Dental Medicine are being treated to free dental work and smiles this year. Dozens of victims from Women in Distress of Broward County have been given free dental treatment by students of the university.

Many of these victims lack health insurance and would otherwise be unable to get the repairs, fillings and extractions they need. According to Mary Riedel, president and CEO of Women in Distress, many of these women would have been prevented from even getting their regular checkups by abusers in the past.

Since so many victims of domestic violence in the Fort Lauderdale area were found to be lacking dental care, they were referred to the university in the hopes of getting the medical attention they need. In order to accommodate this request NSU was able to secure a government grant for $850,000 from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. In addition to getting treatment at WID's main shelter in downtown Fort Lauderdale, they have also been seen at the Broward Addiction Recovery Center and The Lodge.

Want to put an end to abuse in your relationship?  Now is the time to contact our legal team and consult with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

Larry Luther, 41, is admitting to the fact that he has lived a fast life. However, he doesn't believe that should stop him from getting custody of his three-year-old son.

He went before a judge recently to get custody of his child since its mother is facing child cruelty charges. However, since Luther's record is not squeaky clean, the state has taken custody of the child and is refusing to give it back. They are also demanding that he continue to pay child support. Even though the state also made him take parenting classes Luther is still unable to get child custody.

Adding insult to injury was the comment made by an officer at the trial on Facebook about a bouncer with 23 children and too much time on his hands. Luther was enraged by this comment and when the same officer told him to get a real job. While Luther is a bouncer, at a nightclub in Thibodaux, he claims that he makes enough to support his children with just one job.

This officer is also demanding that Luther fill out ten job applications, four of which must be done at fast food restaurants, if he wants to consider getting child custody.

Are you involved in a child custody dispute?  If so, contact our law office to get representation from a Los Angeles family lawyer.

After sparking a public outcry for his infidelity against and divorce from Sandra Bullock, Jesse James is now announcing his upcoming nuptials to tattoo artist Kat Von D. Despite all of the nasty things said about him in 2010, James retaliated by saying that "2010 was actually the best year of my life because I fell in love with my best friend. An amazing woman who stood behind me when the world turned their backs."

Kat Von D, or Katherine Drachenberg, has responded by saying that "There is no one else for me. He is the one."

Although Von D has certainly been at the center of controversy with James, it was actually stripper Michelle "Bombshell" McGee who claimed to be having an affair with Bullock's ex-husband last April. It was ultimately McGee's confession that led to the end of Bullock's and James' five-year marriage.

No matter what the reason for your divorce, you deserve aLos Angeles divorce attorney that can represent your best interests. This is especially true when the reason for your divorce is infidelity.  Contact Claery & Green today!

Even though there are hundreds of programs available for victims of domestic violence, only a fraction of them meet minimum standards of balance, accuracy and truthfulness, according to Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE).

They believe that, at most, only one-tenth of agencies devoted to domestic violence are up to par with what they should be. This is in spite of the fact that $76 million goes into public funding programs each year that are designed to tackle these issues. In order to combat these programs that are not meeting national standards SAVE Director Claudia Cornell has created an accreditation program that agencies can utilize.

Cornell believes that one of the biggest reasons why many programs are failing to tackle domestic abuse properly within their communities is that they are giving out false information. The public, including lawmakers, are fed facts that are simply not true and don't help the cause.

If you would like to put an end to domestic abuse in your relationship, now is the time to contact our firm and consult with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

A London chef famous for his charity work with African children has just been outed for neglecting to make child support payments for his own 16-year-old son. Bjorn van der Horst has been accused of failing to pay $93,000 in child support over the past few years.

The famous chef was just about to board an international flight when city sheriffs took him into custody at Kennedy Airport last week. When he was brought before a judge at the Brooklyn Family Court van der Horst was ordered to pay $57,000 and give up his passport. Yet this didn't give him a pass for freedom as he was brought back to "The Tombs," better known as the Manhattan Detention Complex.

Even though he is owner of Eastside Inn in London and reportedly makes over $15,000 per week, van der Horst is stingy when it comes to his son. The original court order for child support shows that van der Horst was asked to pay $2,950 a month; he only made payments totaling $800 last year and $1,500 over the previous years.

Are you owed child support?  If so, contact Claery & Green to speak with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

Singer Christina Milian has recently spoken out about her divorce from husband The Dream, saying that she has gone "to hell and back." After just a year of marriage the 29-year-old pop singer was prompted to seek a divorce after multiple reports of infidelity made their way to her ears. To top it off Milian was pregnant when she first learned about the terrible situation.

However, she is attempting to put a positive spin on her divorce by saying that it has made her a stronger person, preparing her for the next phase of her life. One of the primary lessons Milian took from The Dream's cheating is that people really never change their ways.

She recently gave an interview to Latina magazine where she commented, "I learned who I am and what I will accept for myself and my daughter." Milian also spoke about her suspicions that something had started to go wrong with her marriage but hadn't acted on those feelings.

If you would like legal help during your divorce, contact us to work with a Los Angeles divorce attorney.

The Connecticut State Task Force on Domestic Violence convened on Monday to discuss the problems caused by domestic violence in their state and how they planned to fix them. There were several speakers to present the issues, including local law enforcement agents.

Included in these presentations were ways in which the state police academy is currently training their officers to deal with domestic violence calls, as well as programs that offenders are forced to go through.

State attorney Kevin Lawlor added that, "the law enforcement community is very limited in what we can do to monitor and regulate the individuals who are out there in the bail bonds business getting serious criminals out of prison." Representative Mae Flexer, as chair of the committee, reported that the group has been able to pass significant legislative actions that have contributed to the reform for domestic violence.

If someone you know has recently become a victim of domestic violence, it is time to contact a Los Angeles family law attorney now to get the protection that person needs and deserves.

A substantial step towards recognizing same-sex marriages was taken this week in New Mexico after the Attorney General wrote an opinion about the topic. He believes that same-sex marriages obtained legally in other states should be recognized in New Mexico as well. This essentially means that they would enjoy the same benefits that traditionally married couples would in the state, including public assistance, public and private benefits, and tax benefits.

Same-sex married couples would also be given the right to divorce in the state as well, a right that has not been previously granted to them. This is a major breakthrough as it would allow these couples to apply for dissolution of their marriage, as well as ask for alimony and a portion of the shared finances and property. This would eliminate the need to travel all the way to another state where same-sex marriages are legal just to get a divorce.

If you have questions about domestic partnerships or same sex marriages, contact our legal team to speak with a Los Angeles family law attorney. 

Although there are many items that you will have to take care of before, during and even after your divorce, it is probably most important to settle your finances before starting the divorce procedure. Don't be surprised if your spouse's lawyers ask to see all of your financial statements - it is their legal right to have full disclosure of your finances throughout the divorce until everything has been settled.

Even though your initial reaction might be to hide your finances from your spouse, maintaining the attitude that it simply isn't their business to know about your finances, it may send a warning flag to the opposing side's lawyers. It could in fact turn around on you, causing the lawyers to look more carefully at your finances, perhaps even delaying the divorce proceedings.

While you could ask your attorney to compile all of your documents for you, it will come at a higher cost as they often bill by the hour. If you want to save time and money during your divorce proceedings, take the time now to get your financial statements together to ease the transition.

Have questions about pre-divorce steps? Contact us to consult with a Los Angeles divorce attorney!

The State Supreme Court of South Dakota ruled in favor of grandparental rights for custody of a 4-year-old girl. The court affirmed the constitutionality of grandparents to get custody of children who aren't theirs in many circumstances.

Their case had originally been thrown out by a circuit court who found the state's law on the issue to be unconstitutional. In this case the courts believed that the current laws should not be able to grant custody to another individual(s) without first finding the parents unfit.

However, the Supreme Court stated that courts can give special consideration to parents who are deemed fit. It is always the place of the court to determine what is in the best interest of the children involved, which does not always mean that the child should be placed in the custody of its own parents.

Debra Watson, one of the lawyers for the grandparents, stated that this is a victory for grandparents who are seeking custody of their grandchildren.

If you are looking to protect your grandparent rights, contact us to speak with a Los Angeles family lawyer.

Child support payments in America have fallen to a new low, the lowest it has been in the past three decades. This is in spite of the fact that states have increased their ability to collect monies owed to custodial parents by garnishing employment checks and wages.  This has been offset by the high rates of unemployment across the country. In addition, states have also made it easier for non-custodial parents to request and to be granted payment reductions.

During the 2009 fiscal year federal and state governments collected $26.4 billion in child-support payments. This figure is down 0.7 percent from the previous fiscal year; this is the first decrease since 1976 when records of child support were first kept.

The average child support payment in the US is $250.

According to the Labor Department the unemployment rate rose from 9.8 percent from 9.6 percent in October alone. This number reflects several factors including the underemployed, those who are either unemployed or employed part-time but wish to work full-time, who account for 17 percent of the population.

Are you finding it difficult to pay or receive child support?  If so, contact Claery & Green to enlist the help of a Los Angeles family law attorney.

While many people are compiling their list of resolutions for the New Year, some people decide to go down the road of divorce. In the legal world, January 1 is known as "divorce day." On this day many people will call updivorce attorneys or marriage counselors to discuss their relationships.

While there are many reasons why January 1 could prompt people to call divorce lawyers, some experts attribute it to too much time together over the holidays. Other couples might decide to stay together during the holidays for their children's sake; thus they decide to wait until after the holidays are over to announce their intent to divorce.

Finally, couples might decide to share the financial burden of the holidays together before parting ways. They might also be waiting to use income tax refund money to offset the costs of divorce.

If you are contemplating divorce it is time to contact a Los Angeles divorce lawyer now before you make the final decision about your marriage.

A fairly recent law in Colorado has collected over $1 million towards child support payments from deadbeat parents. The law says that winners in the casinos there who are behind in child-support payments must turn over their winnings to the state.

According to the 2008 law casinos must check the status of anyone who wins $1,200 or more; for racetracks the winnings must be over $600. These specific amounts were chosen because they are also the same numbers that will trigger tax payments to the IRS for winnings. If the casino or racetrack finds that person's name on a state registry of parents who are negligent in their child support payments, they will automatically divert that money to the state. If there is any money left over from what the gambler owes their children, they can keep that money.

Although the state didn't comment on how many children have been the recipients of this money, they did release the amount of big winners who had their money taken away - 438 unlucky delinquent parents. Of the 438, 244 were duplicates, meaning that the same person won big a second time around as well.

The largest payout so far from a single gambler was $35,468.

Are you owed child support payments?  Get a Los Angeles family lawyer involved now by contacting Claery & Green!

A child custody exchange got nasty when an angry father punched his ex-wife in his face. When police from the Walnut Creek police department arrived on the scene Don West, 50, fought back, causing officers to use a taser to subdue him. He was taken to and booked into the County Jail in Martinez for making criminal threats and on suspicion of domestic violence.

According to police sergeant Lanny Edwards and several eyewitness reports the fight occurred around 6 p.m. near a pub in the 1500 block of North Broadway. Passersby called 911 when they saw West argue with the woman over the exchange of their children. Right after he knocked her unconscious West ran away, only to return shortly after to police waiting for him.

When he resisted arrest they made the decision to taser him.

The woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

If you have been fighting recently with your former spouse or partner about child custody issues, don't wait until it gets really ugly. Instead, contact our law firm and consult with a Los Angeles family law attorney now.

A couple that had been apart for more than 23 years was reunited when Sarah Daniels, 42, searched for Roy Cook for a paternity test. The two had been linked romantically for eight months when the then 17-year-old Daniels became pregnant.

However, the paternity of the child was confused when she broke up with Cook and quickly entered a new relationship, assuming that the new man was the actual father of the child. That man would eventually leave her just after her son, Danny, was born. However, when he returned just a few years ago Daniels realized that there were no physical similarities between Danny and the second man.

Determined to find out the true paternity of her son, Daniels showed up on Cook's door with a paternity kit in hand. When she arrived at his home she said that "as soon as I saw him again that he was definitely Danny's father. The likeness between them is unmistakable.

The pair has since been reunited and father and son have begun to enjoy their new relationship together.

Have questions about paternity?  Contact us to speak with a Los Angeles family law attorney who can provide you with answers.

Miley Cyrus' parents are seriously getting divorced as evidenced by their desire to sell their Toluca Lake home. Sources close to the family report that the couple hopes to put their home on the market with a price tag of $7 million or more.

However, soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. Cyrus, Tish, was reportedly looking for homes in Encino before their divorce was publicly announced. She is hoping to stick around the $4.5 million mark for her new home. She either knew that the divorce was coming or she had anticipated her brood reducing in size soon, as most of the kids are reaching the age when they will leave home.

Good news is that we know she won't be looking to move in with rocker Bret Michaels; he recently announced that he is going to wed his long-time love interest.

If you are contemplating divorce and want to start the division of assets, including your shared home, it is time to enlist a Los Angeles family law attorney that is experienced in divorce law. Don't attempt to work out the details on your own, especially if your divorce could turn into a messy one. Contact Claery & Green today!

Because she is madly in love, Jessica Simpson is resisting the prenuptial agreement that her father, Joe Simpson, is urging his daughter to sign with Eric Johnson. The singer does not agree with her father, believing the prenuptial agreement to be a bad omen and completely unromantic. Simpson does not think it would be a good idea to get the former NFL player to sign one.

Due to this disagreement between father and son, the former NFLer feels that the family does not like him and only views him as a user. Yet, according to several sources, Johnson made the singer buy her own engagement ring. After all, he is technically unemployed.

Although she isn't singing as much anymore, her clothing empire has become extremely lucrative and is closing in on the $1 billion mark. Sources wonder whether Joe Simpson is actually concerned about his daughter's welfare or attempting to protect his own financial interests in her burgeoning business.

Thinking about drafting a nuptial agreement?  Get the help you need from a Los Angeles family lawyer.  Contact our law office now!

A little boy is caught in the middle of a nasty child custody battle in Memphis, Tennessee this month. The father, John Daly, was awarded full custody of the seven-year-old boy when a Tennessee circuit court judge ruled that the ex-wife had been in contempt of the court.

Judge Donna Fields said that Sherrie, Daly's fourth ex-wife, had violated his visitation rights along with other terms of the divorce, such as allowing their son to be absent from school frequently. She also prevented him from attending speech therapy classes that he needs.

In addition to granting full custody, Judge Fields sentenced the ex-wife to three days in jail as a result of being in contempt of court.

Daly was so thrilled about the results of the trial that he tweeted "the best Christmas gift a father can ask for & a great day in this 2 year journey for what is best for my son."

Need help resolving a child custody battle? Contact Claery & Green to get help from a Los Angeles family law attorney.

An 8-year-old girl found wandering the streets of Red Bluff led to the arrest of two adults and the discovery of six more children who were not being watched. Around 9 AM on Thursday morning police officers went to her home in the 1300 block of Second Street and found Ronald McNamara, 27, asleep on the couch. There was a three-year-old boy playing unsupervised outside the house.

The officers learned that three other children lived in the home, their ages ranging from four months to four years old. Upon seeing the unsanitary conditions at their home, officers enlisted the help of Child Protective Services to take the children into protective custody.

McNamara and a woman who also lived in the home, 29-year-old Katherine Beam, were arrested that day on charges of resisting arrest and felony child endangerment. Later that night Beam was released on a $28,000 bail while McNamara remained in jail on a $25,000 bail.

It will remain to see if they are able to get child custody after they have gone to court.

Need assistance with a child custody case?  Contact us to receive representation from a Los Angeles family lawyer.