W ord S earch
Divorce Demystified
ARBOR ARIES
3 RULES CALIFORNIANS SHOULD KNOW When it comes to divorce, every state does things a little bit differently. California’s unique divorce laws can have a large impact on your case. Understanding what sets this state apart can give you the upper hand, and help you achieve the best possible settlement. If you are going through a divorce in California, here are three rules you need to know. 1. DIVORCE WAITING PERIOD While divorce proceedings can seem to drag on forever, in California, they must last at least six months. This is because California has a six-month waiting period — starting from the time a divorce is filed — before a divorce can be finalized. Even if arrangements between spouses, such as the sharing of financial information, agreement on the division of assets, and child custody and support, are agreed upon, until the waiting period has elapsed, the divorce cannot legally be finalized. 2. TWO TYPES OF PROPERTY In California, a judge has to approve how property and debts will be divided. You may think that everything you own counts as property so long as it legally came into your possession in the first place. However, as far as the law in California is concerned, all property falls into one of two categories: community property and separate property.
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Craveable Carrot Cake
Community property includes anything you earned or
purchased — as well as any debt you took on — while married. On the other hand, separate property is what you earned or purchased, as well as any debt you had, before getting married; additionally, any gifts or inheritance received
INGREDIENTS •
2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder
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1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
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4 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups grated carrots
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
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Cream cheese frosting (optional)
2 cups granulated sugar
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan. 3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 4. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs. 5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until blended. 6. Stir in carrots and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. 7. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 8. Cool in pan before serving. (For extra decadence, spread with cream cheese frosting once the cake cools.)
during your marriage are also considered separate property.
The difference between the two is important, because a judge will generally allow you to keep separate property, whereas community property will be divided between you and your spouse. 3. NO-FAULT In some states, it must be proved that a spouse is at fault before a divorce can proceed. However, California is a “no-fault” state, which means that a couple can get divorced without proving spousal fault for the breakdown of a marriage. You are free to file for divorce regardless of why you would like to dissolve the marriage. If no one is at fault, you may cite irreconcilable differences when petitioning for divorce.
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