Cawelti Law

Our office regularly gets calls asking us to comment and provide legal insight into various celebrity divorces. Unbeknownst to us, this video was created based off of one of the interviews we did with nickiswift.com and went semi-viral. Grateful to one of our clients, who found this while scrolling through their feed and then passed it along!

You don't need to be bruised to be experiencing abuse Recent California court cases have made it clear that domestic abuse includes harassment, intimidation, threats to publish private information online, revenge porn and many other types of conduct meant to annoy or embarrass the victim. Loved this article and the awareness that is starting to gain traction around this topic.

When making parenting decisions during these uncertain times, it is vital that your child's best interest is the TOP priority. The pandemic has brought a slew of uncertainty, but you and your co-parent aren't alone. Don't be afraid to involve your kids therapist, teacher, and pediatrician to land on a decision that is best for your child.

"Having joint custody means the holidays don’t look like they once did. It means letting go of some traditions: taking turns or trading off; setting priorities and compromising. Above all, it means considering what is best for the children. What traditions are important to them?" A great perspective on how to navigate the holidays after a divorce during the pandemic. COVID has thrown a wrench into many things this year, but it can't take away the magic and excitement of a child during the holidays.

Divorce is hard, and the pandemic is making it even more difficult. Grateful for the opportunity that Money Geek gave me to contribute to this important topic. These five financial moves should be considered by anyone going through a divorce, but especially those navigating divorce during these unprecedented times.

Last Saturday was National Adoption Day. Today and always I am grateful for my daughter Hannah and the amazing addition she is to our family. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some are blended, some only have one parent, some are big, and some are small. Some are blood, and some are chosen. No matter what your family looks like, they are yours and they are important. This Thanksgiving week, I am grateful for my family, and the opportunity I have as a family lawyer to pr...otect and represent other families in California. May your holiday week be filled with food, thanks, and your loved ones. #givethanks

Loved chatting with Jake from The Law School Show about the impact that COVID-19 has had on family law. We dove deep and talked about several of the top issues in family law that have been created or inflamed by the pandemic. It was an honor to contribute to their show, check out their podcast for more great content!

We are excited to introduce Julian Brown as our newest paralegal at Cawelti Law. Julian is a Los Angeles native with a passion for social justice and travel. After graduating magna cum laude from UCLA with a B.A. in African American studies, he helped to provide legal assistance to under-represented communities as a JusticeCorps Fellow at the Los Angeles Superior Court self-help center. Julian is currently working on his Masters of Dispute resolution at USC Gould School of ...Law. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and running outdoors (he has run the LA Marathon twice). Julian brings to our team valuable negotiation and mediation skills, and we are excited to welcome him to the family!

Up Journey recently asked me my advice on what to say to a friend who is going through a divorce. My reply? Ask them what is heaviest on their plate and then offer to help out.... Your friend might not want help, but just need a listening ear. Regardless, it is important for them to know that they have people in their corner who are willing to have their back.

Someone recently asked me what questions they should ask their divorce attorney before hiring them. My first response? Ask them if they are a family law specialist. ... The "jack of all trades" lawyer will get annihilated in court by the divorce attorney who has dedicated him/herself to soley specializing in family law. Being a "family law specialist" will mean something a little bit different depending on which state you are in. For some states (like California), it is regulated by state via rigorous testing and standards- think of it as a second bar exam. This second exam ensures that the attorney knows the regulations and laws surrounding family law/divorce. If you want your divorce in capable, seasoned hands, pick an attorney who has dedicated themself to family law.

I recently wrote an article for divorcedmoms.com outlining the top 5 mistakes that you don't want to make while in a custody dispute. Divorce is already an emotional rollercoaster, but the stress of also fighting for your kids can add a whole new level of intensity. Don't let the stress cause you to make detrimental mistakes that will affect the results of your case!

I’ve helped hundreds of parents through difficult child custody battles. I felt I was uniquely situated to do so, having a degree in child development and psychology. It wasn’t until I became a father myself however, that I truly was able to comprehend the stress that many parents must feel when fighting for the custody of their child. As a parent, there is no one more important to you in your life than your child. The fear of losing them can sometimes make even the most rational person behave in ways they would not be proud of. If you truly love your child, it is critical that you keep your cool during this stressful process. Surround yourself not only with excellent legal help, but a support system who can anchor you to reality. Your kids will thank you for it.

It was an honor to be interviewed by US News & World Report on the intricacies of QDROs. A QDRO is created to ensure that both parties in a couple get equal shares of money from the retirement benefits that have been accumulated through the marriage. If you are in the middle of, or heading towards a divorce, educating yourself on QDROs is a must.

Apples new commercial is creating a lot of buzz, and not just because it is funny (or gives a shout out to us divorce attorneys). Digital privacy and security is a pain point for many of us. If you are going through a divorce however, I hope you keep this in mind: digital privacy can be an illusion in a divorce battle. If your ex can provide evidence that you are hiding marital assets, participating in illegal activity, or that there is information pertaining to your chi...ld’s best interests on your device, your TEXTS, EMAILS, AND EVEN SEARCH HISTORY COULD BE SUBPOENAED in court. And that subpoenaed information will be public record. Don’t want your private digital information aired out to the public? Put down your phone. And if you have to tweet or text about your ex on that snazzy new iPhone, keep it civil.

Today, I was asked what my #1 tip for parents going through a divorce with kids is. My reply? Be careful about being too "honest" with your children. Even if you have good intentions, sharing negative information about your partner with your kids will backfire big time in court. Protect them in age appropriate ways using age appropriate words and concepts that they are ready for. Your kids, and the judge, will appreciate you for it.

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STRESS, it's a commodity that seems to be in high abundance these days. As a family law and divorce lawyer, I see the effects that stress can have on families and individuals on a daily basis. Whether you are going through a divorce or another stressful life event, the importance of self care cannot be understated. Take care of your mind and body. Take time out to exercise, eat well, and relax. And give yourself permission to feel and function at a less than optimal level for a period of time. For me, my self care regime involves biking. It gives me time to clear my head, sweat out the frustrations of the day, and regroup. Remember, there is no person more in need of your care and compassion than yourself.

Meet Laura, our amazing office manager and receptionist. Even as she works from home (due to COVID), she still manages to keep our firm running smoothly. It really does take a team to be able to fight for and protect our clients rights. We couldn’t do it without Laura.

Last week Cawelti law was proud to donate 20,000 meals to Feeding America. With the coronavirus pandemic leaving millions of Americans jobless, more than 54 MILLION people (including 18 million children) may experience food insecurity in 2020. Our contribution may be just a drop in the bucket, but we are committed to doing what we can to support our community during this trying time.

Did you know that the laws surrounding "pet custody" in California have recently changed? In this guide, Steve breaks down the current California pet custody laws and simplifies the critical information you need to know in order to protect your pet and your pet owner rights during your divorce

The UN has described the worldwide increase in domestic abuse as a "shadow pandemic" alongside Covid-19. It’s thought cases have increased by 20% during the lockdown, as many people are trapped at home with their abuser. This BBC video highlights how women in four countries have come up with solutions to help vulnerable women in their communities. The coronavirus has shown us the importance of local community and the strength that comes when we look out for each other.

Working from home has its perks when you get to do office work in the California sunshine. With the courts being closed the past three months due to COVID-19, many divorce hearings have had to be put on hold. We recently received the great news however, that the Los Angeles Superior Court is set to reopen 400 currently closed courtrooms on June 22. In order to officially start the divorce process, one must submit the divorce papers to the court via the clerk’s office. The... Los Angeles clerk’s office officially opened June 15th, which was timely news for many who have been patiently waiting. COVID-19 has impacted our legal system in unprecedented ways. While we will most likely see a longer wait time for court dates and finalization, it is exciting to know that things are officially moving forward.