San Diego Family Law Blog

How Doctors, Therapists, and Specialists Can Affect Custody Decisions for a Child With Special Needs

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on July 20, 2026 in Special Needs Custody

When parents disagree about custody arrangements involving a child with special needs, California courts often rely on more than the parents’ testimony alone. Judges frequently turn to medical professionals, therapists, psychologists, educational specialists, and custody evaluators to better understand the child’s unique circumstances and determine what custody arrangement will best serve the child’s needs.read more

Special Needs Custody in San Diego: Who Decides When Parents Can’t Agree?

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on July 10, 2026 in Special Needs Custody

Parents who share legal custody are expected to work together when making important decisions about their child’s life. In many cases, that arrangement works reasonably well. But when parents of a child with disabilities disagree about medical treatment, educational services, therapy programs, or other critical issues, conflicts can quickly escalate.read more

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in San Diego: Which is Right For You? An Attorney Breaks Down the Options

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on June 30, 2026 in Divorce

When a marriage reaches a difficult point, many couples assume divorce is the only available legal option. But under California law, legal separation provides an alternative path that could be right for your family.read more

What Does “Best Interests of the Child” Mean for My Custody Case in San Diego?

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on June 15, 2026 in Child Custody

Under California law, judges are required to make custody and visitation decisions based on what arrangement will best protect the child’s overall well-being. That standard influences every part of the custody process, from temporary custody orders to final parenting plans.read more

San Diego Uncontested Divorce: Is It Right for You?

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on May 30, 2026 in Divorce

An uncontested divorce can be the right path for San Diego spouses who agree on the terms of their divorce and want to avoid unnecessary litigation. It can reduce costs, lower conflict, protect privacy, and give both spouses more control over the outcome.read more

How to Challenge a High-Value Prenuptial Agreement in San Diego

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on May 15, 2026 in Marital Agreements

A high-value prenuptial agreement outlines what happens to property, support, business interests, real estate, and investments if you get divorced. While signing a prenup is important, not every provision is automatically enforceable.read more

Gray Divorce in San Diego: How Spousal Support Works After 50

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on April 15, 2026 in Divorce

Divorce later in life is often called gray divorce, and it is becoming increasingly common in California. For couples over 50, the stakes can feel especially high. Retirement is approaching or already here, income may be fixed, and the financial decisions made during divorce can have serious long-term consequences.read more

Can I Lower My Child Support If I Lost My Job or Received a Pay Cut in La Jolla?

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on April 5, 2026 in Child Custody

Losing a job or experiencing a sudden drop in income can feel overwhelming, especially when you still have a court-ordered obligation to support your child. Many parents in La Jolla and across San Diego County face urgent questions about modifying child support after a pay cut or job loss.read more

Child Support and Taxes in San Diego: What Parents Need to Know

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on March 20, 2026 in Child Custody

One of the outcomes of divorce that people don’t always anticipate is how it’s going to affect their tax situation. In addition, there are also a lot of misconceptions. For example, many people assume that child support payments will reduce their taxable income, but this isn’t true.read more

A San Diego Attorney’s Advice: Don’t Compare Your Divorce – Every Case Is Different

Posted by Mattis Law, A.P.C. on March 10, 2026 in Divorce

Many people begin the divorce process by thinking about how someone else’s divorce turned out. However, no two divorces are the same, and comparing divorce settlements can lead to confusion, frustration, and poor decision-making.read more

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