Chula Vista Family Law Blog

Former celebrity couple in high-net worth child custody dispute

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth child custody on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

Thomas Ravenel, a star on the TV show Southern Charm, has petitioned the court for sole custody of his two children, and he is also asking that the judge overseeing his case order the children's mother, Kathryn Dennis, to pay child support. This high-net worth child custody dispute involves allegations of illegal drug activity and other issues that may influence the court's final decisions in the matter. California parents currently trying to resolve similar issues will want to learn as much as they can about state laws and where to seek legal support as needed.

Dennis already had her custody privileges taken away once before and was ordered to enter drug rehabilitation, which she did. Since she regained custody, however, Ravenel has filed new documents, in which he has stated that Dennis not only continues to abuse prescription medication, she often drinks exorbitant amounts of alcohol while taking such drugs, thus placing his children at great risk. Ravenel further claims that Southern Charm producers and some cast members fuel Dennis's illegal drug habit by engaging in buying, selling and trading prescription meds with her.

California high-net worth property division: Protect your assets

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth property division on Tuesday, December 25, 2018.

Many California married couples enjoy the luxuries and benefits that come from earning high incomes. When such couples file for divorce, high-net worth property division issues can be quite complex. It is easy for obstacles to arise and critical to understand how community property division rules work and what options are available to help protect assets.

While it is true that many high income couples sign prenuptial agreements before marriage, this option does not guarantee that problems will not arise concerning community assets if divorce later occurs. Prenuptial contracts can indeed help define which assets are separately owned. However, sometimes separate property may be converted to community property when monies are commingled, such as in jointly owned bank accounts.

Pitt and Jolie settle high-net worth child custody dispute

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth child custody on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

California parents who decide to divorce but who also happen to disagree on critical issues involving their children often have to battle things out in court. In a high-net worth child custody dispute, such as that which Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been entangled in for several years, things can get quite complicated, especially if one or both parents make accusations that the other is unfit. Pitt and Jolie have gone to court numerous times to try to resolve their differences.

Updates on the situation were recently published, stating the former couple has finally agreed on a co-parenting plan; therefore, no trial will be necessary. Past reports had suggested that Jolie was determined to go to trial to seek physical custody of her children. Some say it was Pitt's personal persuasion that convinced her to settle out of court.

Protect high-net worth assets with a prenuptial agreement

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth prenuptial and postnuptial agreements on Monday, November 26, 2018.

Getting married is a milestone many California residents might consider one of the greatest highlights of their lives. Months of planning often precedes such occasions. It is not uncommon to feel a bit nervous or anxious before the big day, especially when thinking about finances. It is also not uncommon for those with high-net worth assets to want to protect their interests in case their marriages end in divorce.

Some say it is highly unromantic to talk about divorce while planning a wedding. However, a solid prenuptial plan can be a boost to a relationship if one considers its benefits. For instance, if an intended spouse is entering marriage with substantial debt in tow, a prenuptial agreement can protect the other spouse from having to assume that debt if the couple later decides to go their separate ways.

Being a high-income couple may increase your chances of divorce

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC on Friday, November 16, 2018.

One of the biggest worries of any married couple comes down to money. It seems that it is usually the lack of money that causes frustration and fights in a marriage. But you may be surprised to learn that there is new evidence that being financial secure and having personal prosperity may also be bad for a marriage.

Former NBA star talks about high-net worth child support issues

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth child support on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

Retired NBA star Matt Barnes has been entangled in a bitter custody battle with his ex. They are co-parents of twin boys, and Barnes recently celebrated a court victory that gave him sole physical and legal custody of his children. Like many celebrities, Barnes has been posting pictures of himself and his sons on Instagram; however, he also added some disparaging remarks about women regarding high-net worth child support situations. California parents facing similar problems may relate to this situation.

Barnes spoke in a self-made video, saying it doesn't take tens of thousands of dollars to raise children. Those who have been following the former basketball star's litigation situation may assume his remarks were covertly directed toward the mother of his two boys. He went on to say that many women exploit their children by using them in child support litigation to get money they then spend on their own luxurious lifestyles.

How do you know if your spouse is hiding assets before a divorce?

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC on Friday, November 2, 2018.

If you are going through a divorce, you may be feeling that the relationship you are having with your spouse has become confrontational. When this happens, it does not always mean it will manifest in anger or aggressive behavior. But what can happen is they may get a sense of winning the divorce and maybe even taking control of property they believe is more entitled to them instead of sharing. This can happen even more so in marriages that are wealthier and include high assets.

Are you headed for high-net worth divorce?

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth divorce on Monday, October 29, 2018.

No one can predict which California marriages will last a lifetime and which will not. A recent study, however, suggests that wealthy people might be more likely to end their marriages in court than those of lesser means. High-net worth divorce is often complex, so if that's true, spouses who are considering filing divorce papers may want to act alongside experienced legal support.

Research shows that money is a significant factor toward stress. It also seems to be a causal factor in many divorce situations. If spouses disagree about finances and are unable to resolve their differences, it can definitely put a lot of strain on their relationship.

How to determine best course of action in child custody cases

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth child custody on Monday, October 15, 2018.

Many California spouses wind up battling out high-net worth divorce issues in court when they determine their marriages are no longer sustainable. Things can get quite complicated, especially for those who also disagree on child custody matters. If you're in a situation like this, you'll want to take several steps to protect your parental rights as well as your children's best interests.

If you and your ex disagree about where or with whom your children should live or other issues regarding their post-divorce care and lifestyle, a judge will make the decisions for you. State laws vary and each state has its own guidelines; however, most judges typically consider similar factors when handing down child custody rulings. Matters of importance include which parent was the primary caretaker of the children during marriage, whether either parent should be considered a detriment to the children (as in situations where a substance abuse problem exists) and which parent's schedule makes it most possible to be present and available to the children.

High net worth property division problems for political candidate

On behalf of Leslie L. Abrigo, APC posted in high-net worth property division on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Many California married couples are property owners. In fact, some spouses invest in multiple real estate endeavors during marriage, which can create complications regarding high net worth property division if they later divorce. A political candidate in another state understands this all too well as she is currently facing numerous legal and financial problems related to her divorce.

While running an aggressive campaign for a congressional seat, the candidate has also been dealing with the fall-out of her divorce that was settled eight years ago. One of her main concerns pertains to a foreclosure. It seems she had her name removed from the deed to one of her many homes when she and husband divorced but her name remained on the mortgage loan, which, she says, her husband had agreed to pay off as part of their settlement.