Drug and alcohol abuse continue to be a rampant problem in California. Not surprisingly, this has an effect on divorce and child custody proceedings. After all, substance abuse is a leading cause of divorce across not just California, but the entire country as well. Even if the divorce itself wasn’t caused by drug or alcohol abuse, many divorced parents can become concerned if they suspect that the ex is using drugs or alcohol when in custody of the kids, or if his/her ability to parent is being compromised by substance abuse.

If you’re going through a divorce in California, or plan on getting one in the near future, it’s worth exploring all of your options. There’s a variety of alternate solutions that can give you more control over how your divorce proceeds, including mediation and arbitration.

The holidays are a festive time, but as divorced parents across all of California can tell you, they can also be riddled with logistical complications and disputes around who gets the kids when. When it comes to shared custody, the holidays are no exception and parents are still entitled to their percentage of custody that has been previously established. This means that parents often need to work together in order to figure out a holiday schedule that works for everyone while ensuring that all custody obligations are being met by all parties.

People who want to get a divorce usually spend time mulling over the idea, thinking about the reasons behind their emotions and desires. As a result, they often come to terms with the concept before the topic has been broached in a marriage. This isn’t the case with the other partner, and it can be difficult to predict how someone will react when they get wind of their spouse’s intentions to divorce.