Family Law is your trusted guide to mastering domestic relations and dissolution practice in California. This comprehensive resource covers every critical aspect of family law, including pendente lite relief, support, custody, property, tax, agreements, modification, domestic partnerships, and enforcement.

Written with clarity and precision, this resource provides a thorough analysis of applicable case law, statutes, and rules. Years of expertise are condensed into practical, actionable guidance, enabling you to manage your time efficiently and serve your clients effectively across all phases of family law. Each topic and procedure is systematically explored and broken down into easy-to-understand steps, ensuring you have the knowledge and confidence to achieve exceptional results for your clients.

This practice guide covers a broad spectrum of topics, including:

• First client interview
• Choosing appropriate marital or domestic partnership status relief
• Commencing the proceedings
• Response and post-petition matters
• Orders pending trial
• Support
• Custody and visitation
• Marital property
• Premarital, marital, and marital settlement agreements
• Tax aspects of marriage termination
• Trial preparation
• Default and uncontested proceedings
• Contested trials
• Dismissals, statements of decision, and judgments
• Challenging the judgment: Motions, appeals, and writs
• Modification and enforcement of orders and judgments
• Termination of invalid marriages or domestic partnerships
• Nonmarital cohabitation and domestic partnerships

Written by preeminent legal experts, our comprehensive Rutter Group Practice Guides are indispensable resources for both novice and seasoned attorneys, providing accessible, authoritative guidance. Thoughtfully crafted in a concise, easy-to-read outline format, our guides simplify intricate legal concepts into clear, step-by-step instructions that facilitate swift mastery and application.

• Practice guides include relevant case law, statutes, and court rules, focusing on issues facing practicing attorneys. Pivotal discussions about decisions illuminate key points, rather than just providing lists of citations, preparing counsel for a variety of contingencies.
• Practitioners benefit from practical guidance that logically breaks down topics and procedures into manageable steps, illustrated with examples from actual cases.
• Esteemed authors provide expert insights, including battle-tested strategies, tactics, time-saving tips, and "Practice Pointers" to equip you with the wisdom of experienced practitioners.
• Our authors update and revise comprehensive content, which is meticulously edited by Rutter Group attorney editors, ensuring you stay abreast of the latest legal developments.
• Rutter Group Practice Guides are frequently cited as authority in state and federal court opinions, which proves their reliability.