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Both an annulment and a divorce end a marriage. But while a divorce ends a valid, existing marriage, an annulment declares that the marriage was never valid in the first place. If a marriage is annulled, then under the law, it never existed at all.

The issue of same-sex marriage is now resolved nationwide, with the Supreme Court’s June 27 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. Same-sex couples can marry in any state, and their marriages must be recognized by all other states. Same-sex marriage has been legal in California since 2013, but the Supreme Court ruling does have an effect on same-sex couples married in California.

When a couple disagrees on issues such as alimony or child custody, divorce can be complex and costly. However, the process can be simplified and cheaper when a couple is in agreement. In California, a simplified divorce, also known as summary dissolution, is available to some couples. It is cheaper, quicker, and less emotionally stressful than a regular contested divorce.

When parents divorce or separate, one of the most important decisions they must make is how to raise their children. In California, divorced or separated parents use a parenting plan, also known as a custody and visitation agreement or time-share plan, which specifies the parents’ rights and duties in co-parenting.

No fault divorce means that neither spouse needs to prove that the other spouse did anything wrong in order to get the divorce. In some states, the spouse must prove that the other spouse committed adultery, abandoned the other spouse, or that the spouse was cruel either emotionally or physically. Another fault could be that the other spouse is physically incapable of having sexual intercourse.

There are many federal and state laws that benefit married couples. Some examples include the right to file joint income tax returns, create a family limited partnership (FLP) under federal tax laws, create a marital life estate trust, receive survivor benefits, receive a share of your deceased spouse’s estate under intestate succession laws and claim the estate tax marital deduction.

Congressman Mike Honda recently used Twitter to show his support for his transgender grandchild. The tweet read, "As the proud grandpa of a transgender grandchild, I hope she can feel safe at school without fear of being bullied." The message has been shared and retweeted thousands of times. The Congressman has injected himself into this issue to encourage acceptance and education about transgender rights.

A diamond is forever, but an expensive engagement ring means the marriage might not last that long. According to a new study, spending between $2,000 and $4,000 on an engagement ring is significantly associated with an increase in the risk of divorce.

The family court accepted your settlement or entered a divorce decree. Everything is final. However, after all of that work, planning for every contingency, something unexpected comes up that affects the finalization of the divorce. The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer provides capable court advocacy for all post-divorce issues.

If you are concerned about the health, safety and welfare of a loved one, you may be in a position to make his or her life more secure. If you feel comfortable with the idea of assuming legal authority over a minor or a vulnerable adult, and believe that person would benefit from your assistance, we can help. The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer assists clients throughout Santa Clara and Alameda counties to establish guardianships and conservatorships when such arrangements are necessary for a loved one's protection. With more than 30 years of combined family law practice, our attorneys can provide you with the reliable advice and effective advocacy you need to establish yourself as a guardian or conservator.