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Picture of California Marital Settlement and Other Family Law Agreements

California Marital Settlement and Other Family Law Agreements

Correctly drafting your MSAs will be easy and efficient with this comprehensive guide that also covers premarital, marital (“postnuptial”), and nonmarital cohabitation agreements.

Correctly drafting your MSAs will be easy and efficient with this comprehensive guide that also covers premarital, marital (“postnuptial”), and nonmarital cohabitation agreements.

  • Provides over 400 total forms, including child custody/visitation, child/spousal support, division of community assets/debts, and allocating attorney fees/costs
  • Enables division of such key assets as the family residence, retirement benefits, and closely held businesses
  • Guides you in treatment of income tax matters
  • Covers negotiating and implementing the agreement
  • Explains use of mediation and collaborative practice
  • Includes both individual clauses and complete sample agreements
Print FA35510

3d edition, 2 looseleaf volumes, updated January 2023

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  • Overview
  • Table of Contents
  • Forms CD Contents
  • Selected Developments
  • Authors
  • Filing Instructions
  • Page List
  • OnLAW System Requirements
  • Specifications

Correctly drafting your MSAs will be easy and efficient with this comprehensive guide that also covers premarital, marital (“postnuptial”), and nonmarital cohabitation agreements.

  • Provides over 400 total forms, including child custody/visitation, child/spousal support, division of community assets/debts, and allocating attorney fees/costs
  • Enables division of such key assets as the family residence, retirement benefits, and closely held businesses
  • Guides you in treatment of income tax matters
  • Covers negotiating and implementing the agreement
  • Explains use of mediation and collaborative practice
  • Includes both individual clauses and complete sample agreements

1

Developing the Case and Negotiating the Agreement

Sandra Blair

  • I.  OVERVIEW  1.1
  • II.  FIRST MEETING WITH CLIENT
    • A.  Educating Client  1.2
      • 1.  Procedures  1.3
      • 2.  Substantive Law  1.4
    • B.  Considering Counseling for Client  1.5
    • C.  Discussing Different Approaches to Resolution  1.6
      • 1.  Spouse-to-Spouse Negotiations  1.7
      • 2.  Mediation  1.8
      • 3.  Collaborative Practice  1.9
      • 4.  Partial Representation Through Unbundling of Services  1.10
      • 5.  Full Representation  1.11
      • 6.  Private Judging  1.11A
  • III.  GATHERING FACTS  1.12
    • A.  Developing Plan  1.13
    • B.  Implementing Plan  1.14
      • 1.  Informal Discovery
        • a.  Definition; Approach  1.15
        • b.  Form: Notice of Discovery Rights [Deleted]  1.16
      • 2.  Declarations of Disclosure and Ongoing Fiduciary Duties  1.17
      • 3.  Judicial Council Family Law Interrogatories  1.18
      • 4.  Other Statutory Discovery Tools  1.19
  • IV.  DEVELOPING OVERVIEW OF CASE  1.20
    • A.  Organizing Data  1.21
    • B.  Preparing Support Calculations  1.22
  • V.  PREPARING TO NEGOTIATE  1.23
    • A.  Distinguishing Interests From Positions  1.24
    • B.  Creating Options That Satisfy Both Spouses’ Interests  1.25
    • C.  Understanding Alternatives to Agreement  1.26
    • D.  Developing Negotiation Strategy  1.27
  • VI.  NEGOTIATING SETTLEMENT
    • A.  Initiating Process  1.28
    • B.  Written Proposals  1.29
    • C.  Goals of Written Communications  1.30
    • D.  Communicating Offers  1.31
    • E.  Telephone Discussions  1.32
    • F.  Out-of-Court Conferences  1.33
      • 1.  Location  1.34
      • 2.  Preparation  1.35
      • 3.  Goal  1.36
    • G.  Judicial Settlement Conferences  1.37
  • VII.  TRIAL AS ALTERNATIVE TO SETTLEMENT  1.38
  • VIII.  FORM: STIPULATION AND ORDER TO USE PRIVATE JUDGE  1.39

2

Mediation

Gary J. Friedman

Steven C. Neustadter

  • I.  PURPOSES AND SCOPE OF CHAPTER  2.1
  • II.  OVERVIEW OF MEDIATION
    • A.  Mediation Contrasted With Traditional Advocacy
      • 1.  Basic Characteristics  2.2
      • 2.  Aspects Contrasted
        • a.  Degree of Control Exercised by Parties  2.3
        • b.  Primary Standard for Decision Making  2.4
        • c.  Approach Toward Other Party  2.5
        • d.  Extent of Protection for Client  2.6
        • e.  Information Gathering  2.7
    • B.  Mediation Distinguished From Other Processes
      • 1.  Arbitration  2.8
      • 2.  Mandatory Custody Mediation  2.9
      • 3.  Settlement Conferences  2.10
      • 4.  Family Centered Case Resolution  2.11
      • 5.  Collaborative Law Practice  2.12
  • III.  DESCRIPTION OF MEDIATION PROCESS
    • A.  Premediation Contact With Mediator  2.13
    • B.  A Mediation Model
      • 1.  Initial Meeting
        • a.  Exploring Mediation  2.14
        • b.  Setting Ground Rules  2.15
      • 2.  Gathering Information  2.16
      • 3.  Identifying and Understanding Issues  2.17
      • 4.  Working Through Conflict  2.18
      • 5.  Reaching Agreement  2.19
      • 6.  Concluding the Process  2.20
      • 7.  Confidentiality  2.20A
    • C.  Form: Sample Agreement to Mediate  2.20B
  • IV.  CONSULTING ATTORNEY’S ROLE
    • A.  Evaluating Appropriateness of Mediation
      • 1.  Client’s Motivation  2.21
      • 2.  Spouse’s Motivation  2.22
      • 3.  Client’s Capacity  2.23
      • 4.  Potential Benefits and Risks  2.24
      • 5.  Timing  2.25
    • B.  Laying Groundwork
      • 1.  Determination and Confirmation of Attorney’s Role
        • a.  Malpractice Considerations; Scope of Duty  2.26
        • b.  Discussion With Client  2.27
        • c.  Form: Letter to Client  2.28
        • d.  Form: Agreement for Services  2.29
      • 2.  Selecting Mediator
        • a.  Assessment of Prospective Mediator  2.30
        • b.  Gender; Co-Mediation  2.31
    • C.  Advising Client in Early Stages
      • 1.  Mediation Ground Rules  2.32
      • 2.  Emotional Support  2.33
      • 3.  Interim Agreements  2.34
      • 4.  Information Gathering  2.35
      • 5.  Experts  2.36
      • 6.  Applicable Law  2.37
      • 7.  Negotiations  2.38
    • D.  Assessing Progress
      • 1.  Overall Approach  2.39
      • 2.  Evaluation of Agreements or Failure to Reach Agreements  2.40
    • E.  Addressing Settlement
      • 1.  Review of Agreement  2.41
      • 2.  Drafting of Agreement  2.42
    • F.  Coordinating Mediation With Formal Legal Process
      • 1.  Alternative Perspectives  2.43
      • 2.  Specific Issues  2.44
    • G.  Dealing With Problems in Process
      • 1.  Overall Approach  2.45
      • 2.  Corrective Action  2.46

3

The Agreement in its Legal Context

Peggy L. Bennington

  • I.  STATUTORY AUTHORITY  3.1
  • II.  OTHER MARITAL CONTRACTS DISTINGUISHED  3.2
  • III.  BASIC REQUIREMENTS
    • A.  Capacity  3.3
    • B.  Consent; Lawful Object; Consideration  3.4
    • C.  Writing  3.5
    • D.  Dealings in Accordance With Fiduciary Relationship Standard  3.6
  • IV.  ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION
    • A.  Court Discretion to Reject Provisions  3.7
    • B.  Enforcement as Contract or Judgment  3.8
    • C.  Interpretation  3.9
  • V.  ATTACK ON AGREEMENT
    • A.  Agreement Merged Into Judgment
      • 1.  By Motion Under CCP §473  3.10
      • 2.  Equitable Relief From Judgment Entered Before January 1, 1993  3.11
      • 3.  Relief Under Fam C §§2120–2129 From Judgment Entered on or After January 1, 1993  3.12
        • a.  Grounds and Time Limits  3.13
        • b.  Procedure  3.14
    • B.  Agreement Not Merged Into Judgment  3.15
  • VI.  MODIFIABILITY OF PROVISIONS
    • A.  Spousal Support  3.16
    • B.  Child Support  3.17
    • C.  Child Custody and Visitation  3.18
    • D.  Property  3.19
  • VII.  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
    • A.  Inheritance Rights of Parties  3.20
    • B.  Rights of Creditors  3.21
    • C.  Potential of Discharge in Bankruptcy  3.22
    • D.  Reconciliation  3.23
    • E.  Omitted Property  3.24
    • F.  Separate Tort Action for Concealment of Community Assets or Domestic Violence  3.25
    • G.  Pitfalls in Using Trust Deeds to Secure Obligations  3.26
    • H.  Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure
      • 1.  Cannot Waive in Marital Settlement Agreement  3.27
      • 2.  Form: Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure (FL-144)  3.28

4

Drafting and Implementing the Agreement

Carol Amyx

Sarah Leverett

  • I.  INTERIM AND PARTIAL AGREEMENTS DISTINGUISHED  4.1
  • II.  MAKING AN IMMEDIATE RECORD WHEN AGREEMENT IS REACHED  4.2
  • III.  DRAFTING, APPROVING, AND EXECUTING AGREEMENT
    • A.  Who Drafts  4.3
    • B.  Choice of Form: Marital Settlement Agreement or Stipulation for Judgment  4.4
    • C.  Structure  4.5
    • D.  Format  4.6
    • E.  Style and Choice of Language  4.7
    • F.  Selection and Drafting of Provisions  4.8
    • G.  Use of Office Masters and Schedules  4.9
    • H.  Approval  4.10
    • I.  Execution  4.11
    • J.  Refusal to Execute  4.12
  • IV.  ENTERING JUDGMENT ON AGREEMENT
    • A.  Preparing Judgment
      • 1.  Preliminary Determinations  4.13
      • 2.  Form: Judgment (Family Law) (Judicial Council Form FL­180)  4.14
    • B.  Obtaining Entry of Judgment
      • 1.  Additional Forms Required  4.15
      • 2.  Form: Summons (Family Law) (Judicial Council Form FL­110)  4.16
      • 3.  Form: Request to Enter Default (Family Law—Uniform Parentage) (Judicial Council Form FL­165)  4.17
      • 4.  Form: Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers (Family Law—Uniform Parentage—Custody and Support) (Judicial Council Form FL­130)  4.18
      • 5.  Form: Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution or Legal Separation (Family Law) (Judicial Council Form FL­170)  4.19
      • 6.  Form: Notice of Entry of Judgment (Family Law—Uniform Parentage—Custody and Support) (Judicial Council Form FL­190)  4.20
      • 7.  Form: Stipulation to Establish or Modify Child Support and Order (Judicial Council Form FL­350)  4.21
      • 8.  Form: Income and Expense Declaration (Judicial Council Form FL­150)  4.22
      • 9.  Form: Financial Statement (Simplified) (Judicial Council Form FL­155)  4.23
  • V.  POSTJUDGMENT IMPLEMENTATION
    • A.  Introduction: Attorney’s Responsibilities  4.24
    • B.  Real Property and Deeds of Trust  4.25
    • C.  Retirement Benefits  4.26
    • D.  Child Support Case Registry Form
      • 1.  Discussion  4.27
      • 2.  Form: Child Support Case Registry Form (Judicial Council Form FL­191)  4.28
    • E.  Other Postjudgment Steps  4.29
  • VI.  MODIFYING AGREEMENT BY STIPULATION  4.30
  • VII.  VARIATIONS FOR AGREEMENTS IN LEGAL SEPARATION AND NULLITY CASES  4.31

5

Introductory Provisions

Michael C. Shea

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  5.1
  • II.  IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES
    • A.  Form: Use of Third Person  5.2
    • B.  Form: Use of First Person  5.3
  • III.  FORM: DATE OF MARRIAGE  5.4
  • IV.  FORM: DATE OF SEPARATION  5.5
  • V.  FORM: IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES  5.6
  • VI.  MINOR CHILDREN OF THE MARRIAGE
    • A.  Form: Minor Children  5.7
    • B.  Form: No Minor Children  5.8
  • VII.  FORM: CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH SUPPORT PROVISIONS ARE BASED  5.9
  • VIII.  DISSOLUTION PROCEEDINGS
    • A.  Form: Proceedings Pending  5.10
    • B.  Form: No Proceedings Pending  5.11
  • IX.  FORM: PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT  5.12
  • X.  FORM: WAIVER OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF AGREEMENT REACHED IN MEDIATION  5.13

6

Child Custody and Visitation

John H. Paulsen

  • I.  CUSTODY
    • A.  Form: Sole Legal Custody and Sole Physical Custody (General Form)  6.1
    • B.  Form: Parties’ Intent in Using Terms “Sole Legal” and “Sole Physical” Custody  6.1A
    • C.  Form: Joint Legal Custody and Sole Physical Custody (General Form)  6.2
    • D.  Form: Consent of Both Parents Required to Exercise Legal Control Under Agreed-On Circumstances (General Form)  6.2A
    • E.  Form: Consent of Both Parents Required to Exercise Legal Control Under Specified Circumstances  6.2B
    • F.  Form: Written Consent of Both Parents Required When Child Under Certain Age Engages in Specified Activity  6.2C
    • G.  Form: Primary Caretaker and Home for Purposes of Determining Eligibility for Public Assistance  6.2D
    • H.  Form: Joint Legal Custody and Joint Physical Custody (General Form)  6.3
    • I.  Form: Joint Legal Custody and Joint Physical Custody (School Year and Holiday Schedule Specified)  6.3A
    • J.  Form: Final Judicial Custody Determination  6.3B
  • II.  VISITATION AND RELATED ISSUES
    • A.  Form: Reasonable Rights  6.4
    • B.  Form: Specific Schedule  6.5
    • C.  Form: Notice of Schedule Changes  6.5A
    • D.  Form: Overnight Care of Children by Nonparent  6.5B
    • E.  Form: Children’s Personal Effects  6.5C
    • F.  Form: Visitation by Grandparent  6.5D
    • G.  Form: Supervised Visitation (General Form)  6.6
    • H.  Form: Supervised Visits Conducted in Accordance With Fam C §§3200–3204  6.6A
    • I.  Form: Supervisor May Terminate Visits  6.6B
    • J.  Form: Acknowledgment of Criminal Protective Orders and Duty to Not Obtain Locational Information of Protected Persons  6.6C
  • III.  COMMUNICATION WITH CHILDREN BY TELEPHONE, E-MAIL, OR OTHER MEANS
    • A.  Form: Reasonable Communication With Children While With Other Parent (General Form)  6.6D
    • B.  Form: Reasonable Telephone, Video-Conferencing, or Similar Means of Access to Child (General Form)  6.7
    • C.  Form: Telephone, Video-Conferencing, or Similar Means of Access on Specified Schedule  6.7A
    • D.  Form: Reasonable E-Mail Contact  6.7B
    • E.  Form: E-Mail Communication With Children Not Confidential  6.7C
  • IV.  FORM: KEEPING EACH PARENT INFORMED OF IMPORTANT EVENTS  6.7D
  • V.  ALLOCATION OF TRANSPORTATION COSTS
    • A.  Form: One Parent Pays  6.8
    • B.  Form: Each Parent Pays One Way  6.9
    • C.  Form: Equal Division of Transportation Costs  6.10
    • D.  Form: Unequal Division of Transportation Costs  6.11
  • VI.  CHANGE OF RESIDENCE
    • A.  Form: Notice Required  6.12
    • B.  Form: Agreement or Order Required  6.13
    • C.  Form: Adoption of LaMusga Standards  6.13A
  • VII.  TRAVEL
    • A.  Form: Notice Required  6.14
    • B.  Form: Conditions of Travel Outside California With Children  6.14A
    • C.  Form: Agreement or Order Required  6.15
    • D.  Form: International Travel and Statement of Child’s Country of Habitual Residence  6.15A
  • VIII.  ALLOCATION OF DEPENDENCY EXEMPTIONS AND CREDITS
    • A.  Form: Allocation of Dependency Exemptions and Credits  6.16
    • B.  Form: Entitlement to Exemptions and Credits Requires Timely Payments  6.16A
  • IX.  FORM: CHILDREN’S SURNAME  6.17
  • X.  MEDIATION OF DISPUTES CONCERNING CHILDREN
    • A.  Form: Mediation of Disputes Concerning Children Required Before Commencing Litigation  6.18
    • B.  Form: Mediator’s Submission of Recommendation to Court  6.18A
    • C.  Form: Costs of Mediation to Be Shared  6.18B
    • D.  Form: Costs of Mediation to Be Advanced by One Party  6.18C
  • XI.  COUNSELING FOR CHILD AND PARENTS
    • A.  Form: Required Counseling for Child and Parents  6.19
    • B.  Form: Acknowledgment That Child’s Communication With Counselor Is Privileged  6.19A
  • XII.  FORM: CUSTODY JURISDICTION  6.20

7

Child Support

John H. Paulsen

  • I.  BASIC PAYMENT PROVISIONS
    • A.  Form: Payable Monthly  7.1
    • B.  Form: Payable Twice Monthly  7.2
    • C.  Form: Payable Every 2 Weeks  7.3
    • D.  Form: Payable Weekly  7.4
    • E.  Form: Financial Information Attached  7.5
    • F.  Form: Imputed Income Amount Agreed On  7.5A
    • G.  Form: Agreement Not to Impute Income to Parent  7.5B
    • H.  Form: Agreed Amount of Child Support Is Presumed Correct  7.6
    • I.  Form: Income for Child Support Purposes Includes Certain Nontaxable Amounts  7.6A
  • II.  FORM: REDUCTIONS FOR EXTENDED VISITATION PERIODS  7.7
  • III.  PAYMENT OF CHILD CARE EXPENSES
    • A.  Form: One Party Pays Child Care Expenses  7.8
    • B.  Form: Parties Equally Share Child Care Expenses  7.8A
    • C.  Form: Parties Pay Child Care Expenses in Proportional Shares  7.8B
    • D.  Parties Equally Share Expenses for Child’s Extracurricular Activities  7.8C
  • IV.  SECURITY FOR PAYMENT
    • A.  Form: Life Insurance as Security for Payment (General Form)  7.9
    • B.  Form: Duration of Insurance Obligation When Parties Have More Than One Minor Child  7.9A
  • V.  NO PRESENT SUPPORT; RESERVATION OF JURISDICTION
    • A.  Form: Joint Physical Custody  7.10
    • B.  Form: No Present Ability to Pay  7.11
  • VI.  CHILD SUPPORT BELOW STATEWIDE GUIDELINE AMOUNT
    • A.  Form: Child Support Intentionally Below Statewide Guideline Amount  7.12
    • B.  Form: Deferred Sale of Family Residence  7.12A
    • C.  Form: Extraordinarily High Income of Payer Parent  7.12B
    • D.  Form: Existence of Hardships That Affect Party’s Ability to Pay Support  7.12C
    • E.  Form: Guideline Amount Inappropriate for Other Specified Reasons  7.12D
  • VII.  MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE
    • A.  Form: Maintenance of Health Insurance Through Employment  7.13
    • B.  Form: Qualifying High Deductible Policy With Related Savings Account  7.13A
  • VIII.  PAYMENT OF HEALTH CARE EXPENSES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
    • A.  Form: By Child Support Payer  7.14
    • B.  Form: By Child Support Payee  7.15
    • C.  Form: Equal Division of Uninsured Health Care Expenses  7.16
    • D.  Form: Unequal Division of Uninsured Health Care Expenses  7.17
  • IX.  CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OR BECAUSE OF CHILD’S DISABILITY
    • A.  Form: Specified Obligation for Higher Education  7.18
    • B.  Form: General Provision for Higher Education  7.19
    • C.  Form: Parties Must Establish IRC §529 or Other Educational IRA Account  7.20
    • D.  Continued Support Because of Child’s Disability  7.20A
  • X.  FORM: STAY OF SERVICE OF WAGE OR OTHER EARNINGS ASSIGNMENT  7.21
  • XI.  FORM: SUPPORT JUDGMENT AS SEPARATE MONEY JUDGMENT  7.21A
  • XII.  FORM: NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYER’S NAME AND ADDRESS  7.22
  • XIII.  FORM: PAYMENT LOCATION IF INCOME WITHHOLDING ORDER ISSUED  7.23

8

Spousal Support

C. Rick Chamberlin

CEB Staff

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  8.1
  • II.  PAYMENT OF SPOUSAL SUPPORT
    • A.  Modifiable Amount and Duration
      • 1.  Specified Amount
        • a.  Form: Payable Monthly  8.2
        • b.  Form: Payable Twice Monthly  8.3
        • c.  Form: Payable Every 2 Weeks  8.4
        • d.  Form: Payable Weekly  8.5
      • 2.  Form: Percentage of Payer’s Net Income from Employment  8.6
      • 3.  Form: Limitation on Spousal Support Amount  8.6A
    • B.  Nonmodifiable Amount and Duration
      • 1.  Form: Constant Amount  8.7
      • 2.  Form: Reduced Amounts  8.8
    • C.  Modifiable Amount, Nonmodifiable Duration
      • 1.  Form: Unlimited Modifiability of Amount  8.9
      • 2.  Form: Limited Modifiability of Amount  8.10
    • D.  Nonmodifiable Amount to Specified Date; Reservation of Jurisdiction
      • 1.  Form: Unlimited Reservation of Jurisdiction  8.11
      • 2.  Form: Limited Reservation of Jurisdiction  8.12
    • E.  Form: Nonmodifiable Amount to Specified Date; Burden on Supported Spouse to Avoid Termination  8.13
    • F.  Form: Single Lump-Sum Payment  8.14
    • G.  Supplementary Provisions
      • 1.  Form: Cost-of-Living Adjustments  8.15
      • 2.  Form: Reductions Based on Recipient’s Net Income from Employment  8.16
      • 3.  Form: Termination on Cohabitation  8.17
      • 4.  Tax Consequences and Income From Nontaxable Sources
        • a.  Form: Includable in Gross Income by Recipient; Deductible by Payer  8.18
        • b.  Form: Income for Spousal Support Purposes Includes Certain Nontaxable Amounts  8.18A
        • c.  Form: Not Includable in Gross Income by Recipient; Not Deductible by Payer  8.19
  • III.  SECURITY FOR PAYMENT OF SPOUSAL SUPPORT
    • A.  Security Against Payer’s Default
      • 1.  Form: Third-Party Guarantor  8.20
      • 2.  Form: Assets as Security  8.21
    • B.  Security Against Payer’s Death
      • 1.  Existing Life Insurance Policy
        • a.  Form: Policy Awarded or Confirmed to Payer  8.22
        • b.  Form: Policy Awarded or Confirmed to Recipient  8.23
      • 2.  Form: Life Insurance Policy to Be Purchased  8.24
  • IV.  RESERVATION OF JURISDICTION OVER SPOUSAL SUPPORT
    • A.  Form: General Reservation  8.25
    • B.  Form: Specific Reservation—Bankruptcy  8.26
  • V.  WAIVER OF SPOUSAL SUPPORT
    • A.  Form: By One Party  8.27
    • B.  Form: By Both Parties  8.28
  • VI.  FORM: MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE  8.29
  • VII.  FORM: STAY OF SERVICE OF WAGE ASSIGNMENT  8.30
  • VIII.  FORM: FAMILY SUPPORT  8.31

9

Property: Identification, Warranties, and Division

C. Rick Chamberlin

CEB Staff

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  9.1
  • II.  IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY
    • A.  Form: Identification in Agreement  9.2
    • B.  Form: Identification by Reference to Exhibit  9.3
    • C.  Descriptions
      • 1.  Assets
        • a.  Form: Real Property  9.4
        • b.  Form: Term Life Insurance  9.5
        • c.  Form: Whole Life Insurance  9.6
        • d.  Form: Retirement Benefits  9.7
        • e.  Form: Business Operated as Sole Proprietorship  9.8
        • f.  Form: Partnership Interest  9.9
        • g.  Form: California Limited Partnership Interest  9.10
        • h.  Form: Bank Account  9.11
        • i.  Form: Credit Union Account  9.12
        • j.  Form: Credit Union Shares  9.13
        • k.  Form: Certificate of Deposit  9.14
        • l.  Form: Brokerage Account  9.15
        • m.  Form: Stock  9.16
        • n.  Form: Stock Option  9.17
        • o.  Form: Bond  9.18
        • p.  Form: Note  9.19
        • q.  Form: Automobile  9.20
        • r.  Household Items
          • (1)  Form: Collective Identification  9.21
          • (2)  Form: Individual Identification With Other Property Items  9.22
          • (3)  Form: Individual Identification by Reference to Separate Exhibit  9.23
        • s.  Form: Pending Litigation or Claim  9.24
        • t.  Form: Beneficial Interest in Testamentary Trust  9.25
        • u.  Form: Beneficial Interest in Living Trust  9.26
        • v.  Form: Beneficial Interest in Estate  9.27
        • w.  Form: Residual Income for Services  9.28
      • 2.  Liabilities
        • a.  Form: Non-Purchase-Money Real Estate Loan  9.29
        • b.  Form: Consumer Loan Secured by Personal Property  9.30
        • c.  Form: Note  9.31
        • d.  Form: Other  9.32
  • III.  IDENTIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION OF SEPARATE PROPERTY
    • A.  Form: Identification and Confirmation in Agreement  9.33
    • B.  Form: Identification and Confirmation by Reference to Exhibit  9.34
  • IV.  WARRANTIES
    • A.  Full Disclosure of Existence of Assets
      • 1.  Form: Warranty  9.35
      • 2.  Form: Remedy  9.36
    • B.  Full Disclosure of Existence of Liabilities
      • 1.  Form: Warranty  9.37
      • 2.  Form: Remedy  9.38
    • C.  Full Disclosure of Material Facts Relating to Valuation
      • 1.  Form: Warranty  9.39
      • 2.  Form: Remedy  9.40
    • D.  Gifts or Transfers for Less Than Adequate Consideration
      • 1.  Form: Warranty  9.41
      • 2.  Form: Remedy  9.42
    • E.  No After-Acquired Liabilities for Which Other Party May Be Liable
      • 1.  Form: Warranty  9.43
      • 2.  Form: Remedy  9.44
  • V.  DIVISION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY
    • A.  Asset and Liability Distribution
      • 1.  Form: Distribution in Agreement  9.45
      • 2.  Form: Distribution by Reference to Exhibit  9.46
    • B.  Sale of Assets and Division of Proceeds
      • 1.  Form: Real Property Other Than Family Residence  9.47
      • 2.  Form: Personal Property  9.48
    • C.  Form: Payment to Balance Division  9.49
    • D.  Form: Payment of Liabilities From Joint Fund  9.50
    • E.  Form: In-Kind Division of Liabilities  9.51
  • VI.  COMBINED IDENTIFICATION AND DIVISION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY
    • A.  Form: Identification and Division in Agreement  9.52
    • B.  Form: Identification and Division by Reference to Exhibit  9.53
  • VII.  COMBINED IDENTIFICATION AND DISPOSITION OF COMMUNITY AND SEPARATE PROPERTY
    • A.  Form: Identification and Disposition in Agreement  9.54
    • B.  Form: Identification and Disposition by Reference to Exhibit  9.55
  • VIII.  FORM: INSURANCE, TAXES, ENCUMBRANCES, AND LIENS ON AWARDED ASSETS  9.56
  • IX.  FORM: DIVISION OF OMITTED COMMUNITY ASSETS  9.57
  • X.  FORM: DISPOSITION OF AFTER-ACQUIRED ASSETS  9.58

10

Property: The Family Residence

Linda A. Chapin

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  10.1
  • II.  INTERSPOUSAL SALE
    • A.  Form: Cash  10.2
    • B.  Form: Promissory Note  10.3
  • III.  SALE TO THIRD PARTY
    • A.  Basic Sale Provision
      • 1.  Form: General Agreement  10.4
      • 2.  Form: Specified Terms  10.5
    • B.  Provisions Pending Sale
      • 1.  Form: Title  10.6
      • 2.  Occupancy
        • a.  Form: By One Party  10.7
        • b.  Form: By Both Parties  10.8
        • c.  Form: By Third-Party Lessee  10.9
      • 3.  Form: Maintenance, Repairs, and Improvements  10.10
      • 4.  Responsibility for Encumbrances, Taxes, and Insurance
        • a.  Form: By Party Having Occupancy  10.11
        • b.  Form: Shared Responsibility  10.12
    • C.  Form: Disposition of Proceeds  10.13
    • D.  Form: Tax Consequences  10.14
    • E.  Form: Reservation of Jurisdiction  10.15
  • IV.  JOINT OWNERSHIP PENDING DEFERRED SALE
    • A.  Provisions Pending Sale
      • 1.  Form: Title  10.16
      • 2.  Form: Occupancy  10.17
      • 3.  Form: Maintenance, Repairs, and Improvements  10.18
      • 4.  Responsibility for Encumbrances, Taxes, and Insurance
        • a.  Form: By Party Having Occupancy  10.19
        • b.  Form: Shared Responsibility  10.20
    • B.  Form: Sale  10.21
    • C.  Form: Disposition of Proceeds  10.22
    • D.  Form: Tax Consequences  10.23
    • E.  Form: Reservation of Jurisdiction  10.24
    • F.  Modifiability
      • 1.  Form: Additional Child Support; Modifiable Under Fam C §§3807–3808  10.25
      • 2.  Form: Additional Child Support; Modifiable With Restrictions on Applicability of Fam C §§3807–3808  10.26
      • 3.  Form: Part of Division of Property; Nonmodifiable  10.27
  • V.  REIMBURSING CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACQUISITION OF FAMILY RESIDENCE
    • A.  Form: Separate Contribution to Community Residence  10.28
    • B.  Form: One Party’s Separate Contribution to Other Party’s Separate Residence  10.29

11

Property: Retirement Benefits

James M. Crawford, Jr.

R. Ann Fallon

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  11.1
  • II.  BUY-OUT
    • A.  Form: Cash  11.2
    • B.  Form: Promissory Note  11.3
  • III.  FORM: WAIVER OF BENEFITS  11.4
  • IV.  FORM: PRESENT IN-KIND DIVISION  11.5
  • V.  FORM: WARRANTY  11.6

12

Property: The Closely Held Business

Suzanne Harris

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  12.1
  • II.  SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
    • A.  Form: Award to One Spouse  12.2
    • B.  Interspousal Sale
      • 1.  Form: Cash  12.3
      • 2.  Form: Promissory Note  12.4
    • C.  Form: In-Kind Division  12.5
    • D.  Form: Sale to Third Party  12.6
  • III.  PARTNERSHIP INTEREST
    • A.  Form: Award to One Spouse  12.7
    • B.  Interspousal Sale
      • 1.  Form: Cash  12.8
      • 2.  Form: Promissory Note  12.9
    • C.  Form: In-Kind Division  12.10
    • D.  Form: Sale to Third Party  12.11
  • IV.  CORPORATION
    • A.  Interspousal Sale of Shares
      • 1.  Form: Cash  12.12
      • 2.  Form: Promissory Note  12.13
    • B.  Form: In-Kind Division of Shares  12.14
    • C.  Form: Transfer of Shares to Voting Trust  12.15
    • D.  Form: Sale of Corporate Interest to Third Party  12.16
    • E.  Form: Redemption by Corporation of Shares of One Spouse  12.17

13

Property: Miscellaneous Assets

Suzanne Harris

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  13.1
  • II.  CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES
    • A.  Personal Injury
      • 1.  Form: Personal Injury Damages in General  13.2
      • 2.  Form: Lump-Sum Workers’ Compensation Permanent Disability Award for Job-Related Injury  13.2A
    • B.  Form: Property  13.3
  • III.  HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
    • A.  Form: Award to One Spouse With Enumerated Exceptions to Other Spouse  13.4
    • B.  Form: Confirmation of Existing Division  13.5
    • C.  Division by Alternate Selection
      • 1.  Form: Appraisal and Payment to Balance Division  13.6
      • 2.  Form: No Appraisal or Payment to Balance Division  13.7
    • D.  Form: Division by Blind Bids  13.8
  • IV.  LIFE INSURANCE
    • A.  Form: Surrender of Policy and Division of Proceeds  13.9
    • B.  Form: Partition  13.10
  • V.  FORM: STOCK OPTIONS  13.11
  • VI.  FORM: RESIDUALS  13.12
  • VII.  PROPERTY OWNED BY OTHERS
    • A.  Form: Property Owned by Children of Parties  13.13
    • B.  Form: Property Owned by Other Third Parties  13.14

14

Attorney Fees and Costs

Michael C. Shea

  • I.  FORM: PAYMENT BY OTHER PARTY  14.1
  • II.  FORM: PAYMENT FROM JOINT ACCOUNT(S) OR OTHER ASSET  14.2
  • III.  FORM: PAYMENT BY RESPECTIVE PARTIES  14.3

15

Income Tax

Michael C. Shea

  • I.  FORM: AGREEMENT TO FILE JOINT RETURNS  15.1
  • II.  FORM: JOINT RETURNS ON ELECTION OF EITHER PARTY  15.2
  • III.  ALLOCATION OF REFUNDS OR AMOUNTS OWING ON JOINT RETURNS
    • A.  Form: One Party Only  15.3
    • B.  Form: Stipulated Percentages  15.4
    • C.  Form: Consistent with Proportional Division of Benefit of Filing Jointly  15.5
    • D.  Form: Consistent with Equal Division of Benefit of Filing Jointly  15.6
  • IV.  FORM: MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT WITHHOLDING STATUS  15.7
  • V.  ALLOCATION OF EXPENSE OF JOINT RETURN PREPARATION
    • A.  Form: One Party Only  15.8
    • B.  Form: Stipulated Percentages  15.9
    • C.  Form: Consistent with Division of Income Tax Obligation  15.10
  • VI.  ALLOCATION OF ASSESSMENTS OF TAX DEFICIENCY ON PREVIOUSLY FILED RETURNS
    • A.  Form: One Party Only  15.11
    • B.  Form: Stipulated Percentages  15.12
    • C.  Form: According to Extent Chargeable to Each Had Parties Not Filed Jointly  15.13
    • D.  Form: Reservation of Jurisdiction  15.14
    • E.  Form: No Improper Assertion of “Innocent Spouse” Status  15.15
  • VII.  FORM: PARTIES TO REPORT IN MANNER CONSISTENT WITH AGREEMENT  15.16
  • VIII.  FORM: NO CHANGE IN TAX BASIS OF TRANSFERRED PROPERTY  15.17

16

General Provisions

John H. Paulsen

  • I.  INTRODUCTION  16.1
  • II.  FORM: RELEASE OF LIABILITIES AND CLAIMS  16.2
  • III.  FORM: STATUS OF TEMPORARY ORDERS  16.3
  • IV.  FORM: MARITAL STATUS TERMINATION DATE  16.4
  • V.  FORM: WAIVER OF RIGHTS ON DEATH OF OTHER PARTY  16.5
  • VI.  FORM: NOTICE OF FILING UNDER BANKRUPTCY LAWS  16.6
  • VII.  FORM: ENTIRE AGREEMENT  16.7
  • VIII.  FORM: HEADINGS NOT PART OF AGREEMENT  16.8
  • IX.  FORM: INTERPRETING AGREEMENT  16.9
  • X.  PARTIAL INVALIDITY
    • A.  Form: Severability in Event of Partial Invalidity  16.10
    • B.  Form: Partial Invalidity Renders Agreement Unenforceable or Subject to Rescission  16.11
  • XI.  FORM: GOVERNING LAW  16.12
  • XII.  FORM: BINDING EFFECT OF AGREEMENT  16.13
  • XIII.  FORM: COOPERATION IN IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT  16.14
  • XIV.  FORM: WAIVER OF BREACH  16.15
  • XV.  FORM: RECONCILIATION  16.16
  • XVI.  FORM: MODIFICATION BY SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT  16.17
  • XVII.  FORM: ATTORNEY FEES IN ACTION TO ENFORCE OR MODIFY AGREEMENT  16.18
  • XVIII.  FORM: EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT  16.19
  • XIX.  COURT ACTION ON AGREEMENT
    • A.  Form: Agreement to Be Attached to Judgment  16.20
    • B.  Form: Agreement Not to Be Filed in Proceeding  16.21
  • XX.  FORM: ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WAIVER OF FINAL DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSURE  16.22
  • XXI.  LEGAL REPRESENTATION
    • A.  Form: Each Party Independently Represented  16.23
    • B.  Form: One Party Unrepresented by Counsel  16.24
  • XXII.  FORM: SIGNATURES AND DATES  16.25

17

Premarital Agreements

Peter M. Walzer

  • I.  OVERVIEW  17.1
  • II.  PURPOSES
    • A.  Preclude Creation of Community Property  17.2
    • B.  Maintain Character of Separate Property  17.3
    • C.  Waive or Limit Spousal Support  17.4
    • D.  Other Purposes  17.5
  • III.  PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
    • A.  Appropriateness of Agreement  17.6
    • B.  Inability to Obtain Agreement  17.7
    • C.  Attorney’s Potential Malpractice Liability  17.8
    • D.  Fee Agreements  17.9
    • E.  Family Law Attorney or Estate Planner?  17.10
  • IV.  LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
    • A.  Requirements  17.11
    • B.  Defenses  17.12
      • 1.  Standard Contractual Defenses  17.12A
      • 2.  Lack of “Voluntariness”  17.12B
      • 3.  Unconscionability at Time of Execution; Disclosures  17.12C
      • 4.  Lack of Independent Counsel  17.12D
    • C.  Agreement Cannot Promote Dissolution  17.13
    • D.  Agreement Should Not Include Provisions on Religion or Other Personal Issues  17.14
    • E.  Court Not Bound by Custody or Child Support Provisions  17.15
    • F.  Waiver of Joint and Survivor Annuity or Survivor Benefits Under Private Retirement Plan Probably Unenforceable  17.16
    • G.  No Automatic Invalidation of Agreement for Clerical Errors  17.16A
  • V.  DRAFTING THE AGREEMENT
    • A.  Structure, Format, Style  17.17
    • B.  Introductory Provisions
      • 1.  Form: Identification of Parties  17.18
      • 2.  Form: Parties’ Circumstances  17.19
      • 3.  Form: Purpose of Agreement  17.20
      • 4.  Form: Disclosures of Property and Financial Obligations  17.21
      • 5.  Form: Waiver of Disclosure of Property and Financial Obligations  17.21A
      • 6.  Form: Disclosures Regarding Income  17.22
    • C.  Substantive Provisions
      • 1.  Form: All Property to Be Separate Property  17.23
      • 2.  Form: All Separate Property to Remain Separate Property  17.24
      • 3.  Form: Joint Accounts and Other Community Property  17.25
      • 4.  Form: Gifts Made to Parties Jointly  17.26
      • 5.  Form: Gifts and Other Transfers Between Parties  17.27
      • 6.  Form: Debts  17.28
      • 7.  Form: Income Tax Returns  17.29
      • 8.  Form: Waiver of Rights Under Equitable Distribution Laws  17.30
      • 9.  Form: No Restrictions on Transfers at Death or Nomination of Executor  17.31
      • 10.  Form: Gifts at Death  17.32
      • 11.  Form: Waiver or Limitation of Spousal Support  17.33
      • 12.  Form: Treatment of Borrowed Funds and Assets Acquired With Those Funds  17.34
      • 13.  Form: Certain Events Are Not Evidence of Transmutation  17.35
      • 14.  Form: Property Settlement with Incremental Increase in Community Ownership and No-Contest Provision  17.36
    • D.  General Provisions
      • 1.  Form: Release of Premarital Liabilities and Claims  17.37
      • 2.  Form: Execution and Delivery of Documents  17.38
      • 3.  Form: Waiver of Rights on Death of Other Party  17.39
      • 4.  Form: Entire Agreement  17.40
      • 5.  Form: Confidentiality  17.41
      • 6.  Form: Binding Effect of Agreement  17.42
      • 7.  Form: Waiver of Breach  17.43
      • 8.  Form: Amendment or Revocation by Subsequent Agreement  17.44
      • 9.  Form: Governing Law  17.45
      • 10.  Form: Headings Not Part of Agreement  17.46
      • 11.  Form: Interpreting Agreement  17.47
      • 12.  Form: Severability in Event of Partial Invalidity  17.48
      • 13.  Form: No-Contest Clause  17.49
      • 14.  Form: Arbitration of Disputes Regarding Validity of Agreement  17.50
      • 15.  Form: Future Attorney Fees and Costs Related to Agreement  17.51
      • 16.  Legal Representation
        • a.  Form: Each Party Independently Represented  17.52
        • b.  Form: One Party Unrepresented by Counsel  17.53
      • 17.  Form: Signatures and Dates  17.54
  • VI.  FORM: COMPLETE SAMPLE AGREEMENT  17.55

18

Marital Agreements

Debra S. Frank

  • I.  DEFINITION; RELATED TERMS  18.1
  • II.  OTHER SPOUSAL AGREEMENTS COMPARED  18.2
  • III.  STATUTORY AUTHORITY  18.3
  • IV.  SUBJECTS; VALIDITY  18.4
    • A.  Transmutation of Community Property to Separate Property  18.5
    • B.  Transmutation of One Spouse’s Separate Property to Community Property or to Separate Property of Other Spouse  18.6
    • C.  Property Settlements  18.7
    • D.  Waiver of Rights in Deceased Spouse’s Estate  18.8
    • E.  Waiver of Joint and Survivor Annuity or Survivor Benefits Under Private Retirement Plan  18.9
    • F.  Spousal Support  18.10
    • G.  Child Custody and Visitation  18.11
    • H.  Child Support  18.12
    • I.  Attorney Fees  18.13
    • J.  Personal Aspects of Marriage  18.14
  • V.  CREDITORS’ RIGHTS  18.15
  • VI.  REPRESENTATION ISSUES
    • A.  Avoiding Dual Representation  18.16
    • B.  Dealing With Unrepresented Party  18.17
  • VII.  REQUIREMENTS
    • A.  Family Code §852
      • 1.  Writing  18.18
      • 2.  Express Declaration by Spouse Whose Interest Is Adversely Affected  18.19
      • 3.  Recording  18.20
      • 4.  Exceptions
        • a.  Gifts of Certain Tangible Articles  18.21
        • b.  Commingled Property  18.22
        • c.  Pre-1985 Agreements  18.23
    • B.  Dealings in Accordance With Fiduciary Relationship Standard  18.24
    • C.  Basic Contract Law
      • 1.  Capacity  18.25
      • 2.  Consent  18.26
      • 3.  Lawful Object  18.27
      • 4.  No Consideration Required  18.28
  • VIII.  DRAFTING THE AGREEMENT
    • A.  Structure, Format, Style  18.29
    • B.  Introductory Provisions
      • 1.  Form: Identification of Parties  18.30
      • 2.  Form: No Separation or Dissolution Contemplated  18.31
      • 3.  Form: Purpose of Agreement  18.32
      • 4.  Form: Disclosures of Property and Financial Obligations  18.33
    • C.  Substantive Provisions
      • 1.  Form: All Property to Be Separate Property  18.34
      • 2.  Form: Waivers of Joint and Survivor Annuities and Survivor Benefits  18.35
      • 3.  Form: Joint Accounts and Other Community Property  18.36
      • 4.  Form: Gifts Made to Parties Jointly  18.37
      • 5.  Form: Gifts and Other Transfers Between Parties  18.38
      • 6.  Form: Transmutation of One Spouse’s Separate Property to Community Property  18.39
      • 7.  Form: Transmutation of Community Property to One Spouse’s Separate Property  18.40
      • 8.  Form: Transmutation of One Spouse’s Separate Property to Separate Property of Other Spouse  18.41
      • 9.  Form: Debts  18.42
      • 10.  Form: Income Tax Returns  18.43
    • D.  General Provisions
      • 1.  Form: Execution, Acknowledgment, and Delivery of Documents  18.44
      • 2.  Form: Waiver of Rights on Death of Other Party  18.45
      • 3.  Form: Entire Agreement  18.46
      • 4.  Form: Binding Effect of Agreement  18.47
      • 5.  Form: Amendment or Revocation by Subsequent Agreement  18.48
      • 6.  Form: Governing Law  18.49
      • 7.  Form: Severability in Event of Partial Invalidity  18.50
      • 8.  Form: Interpreting Agreement  18.50A
      • 9.  Form: Future Attorney Fees and Costs Related to Agreement  18.51
      • 10.  Form: Effective Date of Agreement  18.52
      • 11.  Legal Representation
        • a.  Form: Each Party Independently Represented  18.53
        • b.  Form: One Party Unrepresented by Counsel  18.54
      • 12.  Form: Signatures and Dates  18.55
  • IX.  FORM: COMPLETE SAMPLE AGREEMENT  18.56

19

Nonmarital Cohabitation Agreements

Carol Amyx

  • I.  SCOPE OF CHAPTER  19.1
  • II.  NONMARITAL COHABITATION RELATIONSHIPS
    • A.  Reasons for Nonmarital Cohabitation  19.2
    • B.  Rules if No Agreement Is Made  19.3
    • C.  Comparison With Other Relationships
      • 1.  Marriage  19.4
      • 2.  Registered Domestic Partnership  19.5
      • 3.  Dating Relationship  19.6
      • 4.  Business Partnership  19.7
      • 5.  Employer-Employee Relationship  19.8
  • III.  AUTHORITY; NEED FOR WRITING  19.9
  • IV.  AVOIDING DUAL REPRESENTATION  19.10
  • V.  PURPOSES
    • A.  Achievement of Specific Objectives
      • 1.  Keeping Property Interests Separate  19.11
      • 2.  Providing for Joint Property  19.12
      • 3.  Providing for Partnership  19.13
      • 4.  Providing for Treatment as Though Married  19.14
    • B.  Different Needs of Various Relationships
      • 1.  One Party Financially Dependent on Other  19.15
      • 2.  Both Parties Financially Self-Sufficient  19.16
      • 3.  Relationships Involving Parties’ Children  19.17
  • VI.  VALIDITY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
    • A.  Property  19.18
    • B.  Support of Other Party  19.19
    • C.  Payment for Services  19.20
    • D.  Child Custody and Child Support  19.21
  • VII.  DRAFTING THE AGREEMENT
    • A.  Structure, Format, and Style  19.22
    • B.  Property Provisions  19.23
      • 1.  Form: No Change in Property Rights  19.24
      • 2.  Form: Co-Ownership of Particular Asset in Equal Shares  19.25
      • 3.  Form: Co-Ownership of Particular Asset in Unequal Shares  19.26
      • 4.  Form: Pooling Agreement  19.27
    • C.  Support Provisions  19.28
      • 1.  Form: No Obligation to Support  19.29
      • 2.  Form: Support During Relationship in Exchange for Services  19.30
      • 3.  Form: Support During Relationship, Plus Property Interest, in Exchange for Services  19.31
  • VIII.  COMPLETE SAMPLE AGREEMENTS
    • A.  Sample Form: No Change in Property Rights  19.32
    • B.  Sample Form: Pooling Agreement  19.33

20

QDROs and Other Retirement Benefits Orders

James M. Crawford, Jr.

R. Ann Fallon

  • I.  OVERVIEW  20.1
  • II.  CLASSIFICATION OF PLANS
    • A.  By Governing Law  20.2
      • 1.  Federal Plans  20.3
        • a.  Military  20.3A
        • b.  Civil Service  20.3B
        • c.  Railroads  20.3C
      • 2.  State Plans  20.4
        • a.  CalSTRS and CalPERS Employees
          • (1)  CalSTRS  20.4A
          • (2)  CalPERS
            • (a)  CalPERS Plans Summarized  20.4B
            • (b)  Survivor Options  20.4C
            • (c)  Service Credits  20.4D
          • (3)  Alternate Approaches Under CalSTRS and CalPERS  20.4E
        • b.  County and Municipal Employees
          • (1)  County Employees  20.4F
          • (2)  Municipal Employees  20.4G
      • 3.  Private Plans  20.5
        • a.  ERISA  20.6
        • b.  Internal Revenue Code
          • (1)  Qualified Plans  20.7
          • (2)  Nonqualified Plans  20.8
    • B.  By Type  20.9
      • 1.  Defined Contribution Plans  20.10
      • 2.  Defined Benefit Plans  20.11
  • III.  INITIAL STEPS
    • A.  Identify and Locate Plans  20.12
    • B.  Contact Plan Administrator  20.13
    • C.  Notice of Adverse Interest  20.14
    • D.  Joinder  20.15
    • E.  Discovery
      • 1.  Suggested Minimum Information  20.16
      • 2.  Methods  20.17
  • IV.  ADDRESSING DISPOSITION OF BENEFITS
    • A.  Characterization  20.18
      • 1.  Defined Contribution Plans  20.19
      • 2.  Defined Benefit Plans  20.20
    • B.  Valuation  20.21
      • 1.  Defined Contribution Plans  20.22
      • 2.  Defined Benefit Plans  20.23
    • C.  Division  20.24
      • 1.  Defined Contribution Plans  20.25
      • 2.  Defined Benefit Plans
        • a.  Methods of Division  20.26
        • b.  Early Retirement Issues
          • (1)  Gillmore Election  20.27
          • (2)  Early Retirement Subsidy  20.28
          • (3)  Early Retirement Incentives  20.29
  • V.  DRAFTING THE ORDER
    • A.  Expert Assistance  20.30
      • 1.  Plan Complexity  20.31
      • 2.  Attorney’s Knowledge and Experience  20.32
      • 3.  Presence of Circumstances Suggesting Urgency
        • a.  Imminent Termination of Parties’ Marital Status by Death or Bifurcation of Dissolution Proceeding
          • (1)  Death  20.33
          • (2)  Bifurcation of Dissolution Proceeding
            • (a)  General Considerations for Qualified and Nonqualified Plans  20.33A
            • (b)  Orders Under Fam C §2337  20.33B
        • b.  Imminent Retirement or In-Service Distribution Eligibility  20.34
    • B.  QDROs  20.35
      • 1.  Mandatory Provisions  20.36
      • 2.  Prohibited Provisions  20.37
      • 3.  Surviving Spouse Provisions  20.38
        • a.  Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity (QPSA)  20.39
        • b.  Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity (QJSA)  20.40
      • 4.  Beneficiary Designations  20.41
      • 5.  Submission for Review  20.42
      • 6.  Sample Provisions for Qualified Defined Benefit Plan (Separate Interest Determined Using Standard “Time Rule”)
        • a.  Form: Identification of Parties  20.43
        • b.  Form: Intent of Order  20.44
        • c.  Form: Participant and Alternate Payee Information for Purposes of Notification  20.45
        • d.  Form: Dates of Marriage and Separation  20.46
        • e.  Form: Plan Administrator  20.47
        • f.  Form: Definitions  20.48
        • g.  Determination of Alternate Payee’s Benefit
          • (1)  Form: Alternate Payee’s Benefit Determined as Fractional Share (“Time Rule” Percentage)  20.49
          • (2)  Form: Alternate Payee’s Benefit Is Exactly Half of Community Interest  20.49A
        • h.  Form: Calculation of Benefit  20.50
        • i.  Form: Benefit Increases or Improvements  20.51
        • j.  Form: Subsequent Reemployment  20.52
        • k.  Form: Form and Timing of Distribution of Alternate Payee’s Benefit  20.53
        • l.  Form: Alternate Payee’s Rights and Privileges  20.54
        • m.  Form: Alternate Payee’s Death  20.55
        • n.  Form: Participant’s Death  20.56
        • o.  Form: No Waiver of QPSA Without Alternate Payee’s Written Consent  20.57
        • p.  Form: Remaining Benefits Confirmed to Participant  20.58
        • q.  Form: Intent and Construction  20.59
        • r.  Form: Tax Treatment of Distributions  20.60
        • s.  Form: Continued Qualified Status of Order Intended  20.61
        • t.  Form: Reservation of Jurisdiction  20.62
        • u.  Form: Parties’ Cooperation  20.63
        • v.  Form: Notices  20.64
        • w.  Form: Effect of Benefit Adjustment Resulting From Plan Termination or Plan Underfunding  20.65
        • x.  Form: Attorney Fees and Costs on Enforcement  20.66
        • y.  Form: Plan’s Mistaken Payment  20.67
        • z.  Form: Suspension or Termination of Benefits  20.68
        • aa.  Form: Notices Regarding Order and Plan Procedures  20.69
        • ab.  Form: Warranty  20.69A
    • C.  Other Retirement Benefits Orders  20.70
    • D.  Quasi-QDROs  20.71
    • E.  Form: Provisional Award of Benefits on Bifurcation of Marital Status  20.71A
  • VI.  COMPLETE SAMPLE QDROs
    • A.  Sample Defined Benefit Plan QDRO
      • 1.  Form: General Stipulated QDRO  20.72
      • 2.  Form: Stipulated QDRO With Special Offset if Participant Predeceases Alternate Payee  20.72A
      • 3.  Form: Stipulated QDRO Using “Crossover” Time Rule  20.72B
    • B.  Sample Form: Defined Contribution Plan QDRO  20.73
    • C.  Sample Form: Interim QDRO  20.74
    • D.  Sample QDRO if PBGC Is Plan Trustee
      • 1.  Form: Model Shared Payment QDRO  20.74A
      • 2.  Form: Model Separate Interest QDRO  20.74B
      • 3.  Form: Model Treat-as-Spouse QDRO  20.74C
  • VII.  FORM: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DATA FORM  20.75

21

Complete Marital Settlement Agreements

  • I.  CHOOSING FORM OF AGREEMENT  21.1
  • II.  CHECKLIST: SAMPLE MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT PROVISIONS  21.2
  • III.  FORMS
    • A.  Form: Sample Basic Marital Settlement Agreement  21.3
    • B.  Form: Sample Basic Stipulation for Judgment  21.4
    • C.  Form: Sample Complex Marital Settlement Agreement  21.5

CALIFORNIA MARITAL SETTLEMENT AND OTHER FAMILY LAW AGREEMENTS

(3d Edition)

January 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

File Name

Book Section

Title

CH01

Chapter 1

Developing the Case and Negotiating the Agreement

01-039

§1.39

Form: Stipulation and Order to Use Private Judge

CH02

Chapter 2

Mediation

02-020B

§2.20B

Sample Agreement to Mediate

02-028

§2.28

Letter to Client

02-029

§2.29

Agreement for Services

CH05

Chapter 5

Introductory Provisions

05-002

§5.2

Use of Third Person

05-003

§5.3

Use of First Person

05-004

§5.4

Form: Date of Marriage

05-005

§5.5

Form: Date of Separation

05-006

§5.6

Form: Irreconcilable Differences

05-007

§5.7

Minor Children

05-008

§5.8

No Minor Children

05-009

§5.9

Form: Circumstances on Which Support Provisions Are Based

05-010

§5.10

Proceedings Pending

05-011

§5.11

No Proceedings Pending

05-012

§5.12

Form: Purpose of Agreement

05-013

§5.13

Form: Waiver of Confidentiality of Agreement Reached in Mediation

CH06

Chapter 6

Child Custody and Visitation

06-001

§6.1

Sole Legal Custody and Sole Physical Custody (General Form)

06-001A

§6.1A

Parties’ Intent in Using Terms “Sole Legal” and “Sole Physical” Custody

06-002

§6.2

Joint Legal Custody and Sole Physical Custody (General Form)

06-002A

§6.2A

Consent of Both Parents Required to Exercise Legal Control Under Agreed-On Circumstances (General Form)

06-002B

§6.2B

Consent of Both Parents Required to Exercise Legal Control Under Specified Circumstances

06-002C

§6.2C

Written Consent of Both Parents Required When Child Under Certain Age Engages in Specified Activity

06-002D

§6.2D

Primary Caretaker and Home for Purposes of Determining Eligibility for Public Assistance

06-003

§6.3

Joint Legal Custody and Joint Physical Custody (General Form)

06-003A

§6.3A

Joint Legal Custody and Joint Physical Custody (School Year and Holiday Schedule Specified)

06-003B

§6.3B

Final Judicial Custody Determination

06-004

§6.4

Reasonable Rights

06-005

§6.5

Specific Schedule

06-005A

§6.5A

Notice of Schedule Changes

06-005B

§6.5B

Overnight Care of Children by Nonparent

06-005C

§6.5C

Children’s Personal Effects

06-005D

§6.5D

Visitation by Grandparent

06-006

§6.6

Supervised Visitation (General Form)

06-006A

§6.6A

Supervised Visits Conducted in Accordance With Fam C §§3200–3204

06-006B

§6.6B

Supervisor May Terminate Visits

06-006C

§6.6C

Acknowledgment of Criminal Protective Orders and Duty to Not Obtain Locational Information of Protected Persons

06-006D

§6.6D

Reasonable Communication With Children While With Other Parent (General Form)

06-007

§6.7

Reasonable Telephone, Video-Conferencing, or Similar Means of Access to Child (General Form)

06-007A

§6.7A

Telephone, Video-Conferencing, or Similar Means of Access on Specified Schedule

06-007B

§6.7B

Reasonable E-Mail Contact

06-007C

§6.7C

E-Mail Communication With Children Not Confidential

06-007D

§6.7D

Form: Keeping Each Parent Informed of Important Events

06-008

§6.8

One Parent Pays

06-009

§6.9

Each Parent Pays One Way

06-010

§6.10

Equal Division of Transportation Costs

06-011

§6.11

Unequal Division of Transportation Costs

06-012

§6.12

Notice Required

06-013

§6.13

Agreement or Order Required

06-013A

§6.13A

Adoption of LaMusga Standards

06-014

§6.14

Notice Required

06-014A

§6.14A

Conditions of Travel Outside California With Children

06-015

§6.15

Agreement or Order Required

06-015A

§6.15A

International Travel and Statement of Child’s Country of Habitual Residence

06-016

§6.16

Allocation of Dependency Exemptions and Credits

06-016A

§6.16A

Entitlement to Exemptions and Credits Requires Timely Payments

06-017

§6.17

Form: Children’s Surname

06-018

§6.18

Mediation of Disputes Concerning Children Required Before Commencing Litigation

06-018A

§6.18A

Mediator’s Submission of Recommendation to Court

06-018B

§6.18B

Costs of Mediation to Be Shared

06-018C

§6.18C

Costs of Mediation to Be Advanced by One Party

06-019

§6.19

Required Counseling for Child and Parents

06-019A

§6.19A

Acknowledgment That Child’s Communication With Counselor Is Privileged

06-020

§6.20

Form: Custody Jurisdiction

CH07

Chapter 7

Child Support

07-001

§7.1

Payable Monthly

07-002

§7.2

Payable Twice Monthly

07-003

§7.3

Payable Every 2 Weeks

07-004

§7.4

Payable Weekly

07-005

§7.5

Financial Information Attached

07-005A

§7.5A

Imputed Income Amount Agreed On

07-005B

§7.5B

Agreement Not to Impute Income to Parent

07-006

§7.6

Agreed Amount of Child Support Is Presumed Correct

07-006A

§7.6A

Income for Child Support Purposes Includes Certain Nontaxable Amounts

07-007

§7.7

Form: Reductions for Extended Visitation Periods

07-008

§7.8

One Party Pays Child Care Expenses

07-008A

§7.8A

Parties Equally Share Child Care Expenses

07-008B

§7.8B

Parties Pay Child Care Expenses in Proportional Shares

07-008C

§7.8C

Parties Equally Share Expenses for Child’s Extracurricular Activities

07-009

§7.9

Life Insurance as Security for Payment (General Form)

07-009A

§7.9A

Duration of Insurance Obligation When Parties Have More Than One Minor Child

07-010

§7.10

Joint Physical Custody

07-011

§7.11

No Present Ability to Pay

07-012

§7.12

Child Support Intentionally Below Statewide Guideline Amount

07-012A

§7.12A

Deferred Sale of Family Residence

07-012B

§7.12B

Extraordinarily High Income of Payer Parent

07-012C

§7.12C

Existence of Hardships That Affect Party’s Ability to Pay Support

07-012D

§7.12D

Guideline Amount Inappropriate for Other Specified Reasons

07-013

§7.13

Maintenance of Health Insurance Through Employment

07-013A

§7.13A

Qualifying High Deductible Policy With Related Savings Account

07-014

§7.14

By Child Support Payer

07-015

§7.15

By Child Support Payee

07-016

§7.16

Equal Division of Uninsured Health Care Expenses

07-017

§7.17

Unequal Division of Uninsured Health Care Expenses

07-018

§7.18

Specified Obligation for Higher Education

07-019

§7.19

General Provision for Higher Education

07-020

§7.20

Parties Must Establish IRC §529 or Other Educational IRA Account

07-020A

§7.20A

Continued Support Because of Child’s Disability

07-021

§7.21

Form: Stay of Service of Wage or Other Earnings Assignment

07-021A

§7.21A

Form: Support Judgment As Separate Money Judgment

07-022

§7.22

Form: Notification of Employer’s Name and Address

CH08

Chapter 8

Spousal Support

08-002

§8.2

Payable Monthly

08-003

§8.3

Payable Twice Monthly

08-004

§8.4

Payable Every 2 Weeks

08-005

§8.5

Payable Weekly

08-006

§8.6

Percentage of Payer’s Net Income from Employment

08-006A

§8.6A

Limitation on Spousal Support Amount

08-007

§8.7

Constant Amount

08-008

§8.8

Reduced Amounts

08-009

§8.9

Unlimited Modifiability of Amount

08-010

§8.10

Limited Modifiability of Amount

08-011

§8.11

Unlimited Reservation of Jurisdiction

08-012

§8.12

Limited Reservation of Jurisdiction

08-013

§8.13

Nonmodifiable Amount to Specified Date; Burden on Supported Spouse to Avoid Termination

08-014

§8.14

Single Lump-Sum Payment

08-015

§8.15

Cost-of-Living Adjustments

08-016

§8.16

Reductions Based on Recipient’s Net Income from Employment

08-017

§8.17

Termination on Cohabitation

08-018

§8.18

Includable in Gross Income by Recipient; Deductible by Payer

08-018A

§8.18A

Income for Spousal Support Purposes Includes Certain Nontaxable Amounts

08-019

§8.19

Not Includable in Gross Income by Recipient; Not Deductible by Payer

08-020

§8.20

Third-Party Guarantor

08-021

§8.21

Assets as Security

08-022

§8.22

Policy Awarded or Confirmed to Payer

08-023

§8.23

Policy Awarded or Confirmed to Recipient

08-024

§8.24

Life Insurance Policy to Be Purchased

08-025

§8.25

General Reservation

08-026

§8.26

Specific Reservation—Bankruptcy

08-027

§8.27

By One Party

08-028

§8.28

By Both Parties

08-029

§8.29

Form: Maintenance of Health Insurance

08-030

§8.30

Form: Stay Of Service of Wage Assignment

08-031

§8.31

Form: Family Support

CH09

Chapter 9

Property: Identification, Warranties, and Division

09-002

§9.2

Identification in Agreement

09-003

§9.3

Identification by Reference to Exhibit

09-004

§9.4

Real Property

09-005

§9.5

Term Life Insurance

09-006

§9.6

Whole Life Insurance

09-007

§9.7

Retirement Benefits

09-008

§9.8

Business Operated as Sole Proprietorship

09-009

§9.9

Partnership Interest

09-010

§9.10

California Limited Partnership Interest

09-011

§9.11

Bank Account

09-012

§9.12

Credit Union Account

09-013

§9.13

Credit Union Shares

09-014

§9.14

Certificate of Deposit

09-015

§9.15

Brokerage Account

09-016

§9.16

Stock

09-017

§9.17

Stock Option

09-018

§9.18

Bond

09-019

§9.19

Note

09-020

§9.20

Automobile

09-021

§9.21

Collective Identification

09-022

§9.22

Individual Identification With Other Property Items

09-023

§9.23

Individual Identification by Reference to Separate Exhibit

09-024

§9.24

Pending Litigation or Claim

09-025

§9.25

Beneficial Interest in Testamentary Trust

09-026

§9.26

Beneficial Interest in Living Trust

09-027

§9.27

Beneficial Interest in Estate

09-028

§9.28

Residual Income for Services

09-029

§9.29

Non-Purchase-Money Real Estate Loan

09-030

§9.30

Consumer Loan Secured by Personal Property

09-031

§9.31

Note

09-032

§9.32

Other

09-033

§9.33

Identification and Confirmation in Agreement

09-034

§9.34

Identification and Confirmation by Reference to Exhibit

09-035

§9.35

Warranty

09-036

§9.36

Remedy

09-037

§9.37

Warranty

09-038

§9.38

Remedy

09-039

§9.39

Warranty

09-040

§9.40

Remedy

09-041

§9.41

Warranty

09-042

§9.42

Remedy

09-043

§9.43

Warranty

09-044

§9.44

Remedy

09-045

§9.45

Distribution in Agreement

09-046

§9.46

Distribution by Reference to Exhibit

09-047

§9.47

Real Property Other Than Family Residence

09-048

§9.48

Personal Property

09-049

§9.49

Payment to Balance Division

09-050

§9.50

Payment of Liabilities From Joint Fund

09-051

§9.51

In-Kind Division of Liabilities

09-052

§9.52

Identification and Division in Agreement

09-053

§9.53

Identification and Division by Reference to Exhibit

09-054

§9.54

Identification and Disposition in Agreement

09-055

§9.55

Identification and Disposition by Reference to Exhibit

09-056

§9.56

Form: Insurance, Taxes, Encumbrances, and Liens on Awarded Assets

09-057

§9.57

Form: Division of Omitted Community Assets

09-058

§9.58

Form: Disposition of After-Acquired Assets

CH10

Chapter 10

Property: The Family Residence

10-002

§10.2

Cash

10-003

§10.3

Promissory Note

10-004

§10.4

General Agreement

10-005

§10.5

Specified Terms

10-006

§10.6

Title

10-007

§10.7

By One Party

10-008

§10.8

By Both Parties

10-009

§10.9

By Third-Party Lessee

10-010

§10.10

Maintenance, Repairs, and Improvements

10-011

§10.11

By Party Having Occupancy

10-012

§10.12

Shared Responsibility

10-013

§10.13

Disposition of Proceeds

10-014

§10.14

Tax Consequences

10-015

§10.15

Reservation of Jurisdiction

10-016

§10.16

Title

10-017

§10.17

Occupancy

10-018

§10.18

Maintenance, Repairs, and Improvements

10-019

§10.19

By Party Having Occupancy

10-020

§10.20

Shared Responsibility

10-021

§10.21

Sale

10-022

§10.22

Disposition of Proceeds

10-023

§10.23

Tax Consequences

10-024

§10.24

Reservation of Jurisdiction

10-025

§10.25

Additional Child Support; Modifiable Under Fam C §§3807–3808

10-026

§10.26

Additional Child Support; Modifiable With Restrictions on Applicability of Fam C §§3807–3808

10-027

§10.27

Part of Division of Property; Nonmodifiable

10-028

§10.28

Separate Contribution to Community Residence

10-029

§10.29

One Party’s Separate Contribution to Other Party’s Separate Residence

CH11

Chapter 11

Property: Retirement Benefits

11-002

§11.2

Cash

11-003

§11.3

Promissory Note

11-004

§11.4

Form: Waiver of Benefits

11-005

§11.5

Form: Present in-Kind Division

11-006

§11.6

Form: Warranty

CH12

Chapter 12

Property: The Closely Held Business

12-002

§12.2

Award to One Spouse

12-003

§12.3

Cash

12-004

§12.4

Promissory Note

12-005

§12.5

In-Kind Division

12-006

§12.6

Sale to Third Party

12-007

§12.7

Award to One Spouse

12-008

§12.8

Cash

12-009

§12.9

Promissory Note

12-010

§12.10

In-Kind Division

12-011

§12.11

Sale to Third Party

12-012

§12.12

Cash

12-013

§12.13

Promissory Note

12-014

§12.14

In-Kind Division of Shares

12-015

§12.15

Transfer of Shares to Voting Trust

12-016

§12.16

Sale of Corporate Interest to Third Party

12-017

§12.17

Redemption by Corporation of Shares of One Spouse

CH13

Chapter 13

Property: Miscellaneous Assets

13-002

§13.2

Personal Injury Damages in General

13-002A

§13.2A

Lump-Sum Workers’ Compensation Permanent Disability Award for Job-Related Injury

13-003

§13.3

Property

13-004

§13.4

Award to One Spouse With Enumerated Exceptions to Other Spouse

13-005

§13.5

Confirmation of Existing Division

13-006

§13.6

Appraisal and Payment to Balance Division

13-007

§13.7

No Appraisal or Payment to Balance Division

13-008

§13.8

Division by Blind Bids

13-009

§13.9

Surrender of Policy and Division of Proceeds

13-010

§13.10

Partition

13-011

§13.11

Form: Stock Options

13-012

§13.12

Form: Residuals

13-013

§13.13

Property Owned by Children of Parties

13-014

§13.14

Property Owned by Other Third Parties

CH14

Chapter 14

Attorney Fees and Costs

14-001

§14.1

Form: Payment by Other Party

14-002

§14.2

Form: Payment From Joint Account(S) or Other Asset

14-003

§14.3

Form: Payment by Respective Parties

CH15

Chapter 15

Income Tax

15-001

§15.1

Form: Agreement to File Joint Returns

15-002

§15.2

Form: Joint Returns on Election of Either Party

15-003

§15.3

One Party Only

15-004

§15.4

Stipulated Percentages

15-005

§15.5

Consistent with Proportional Division of Benefit of Filing Jointly

15-006

§15.6

Consistent with Equal Division of Benefit of Filing Jointly

15-007

§15.7

Form: Maintenance of Current Withholding Status

15-008

§15.8

One Party Only

15-009

§15.9

Stipulated Percentages

15-010

§15.10

Consistent with Division of Income Tax Obligation

15-011

§15.11

One Party Only

15-012

§15.12

Stipulated Percentages

15-013

§15.13

According to Extent Chargeable to Each Had Parties Not Filed Jointly

15-014

§15.14

Reservation of Jurisdiction

15-015

§15.15

No Improper Assertion of “Innocent Spouse” Status

15-016

§15.16

Form: Parties to Report in Manner Consistent With Agreement

15-017

§15.17

Form: No Change in Tax Basis of Transferred Property

CH16

Chapter 16

General Provisions

16-002

§16.2

Form: Release of Liabilities and Claims

16-003

§16.3

Form: Status of Temporary Orders

16-004

§16.4

Form: Marital Status Termination Date

16-005

§16.5

Form: Waiver of Rights on Death of Other Party

16-006

§16.6

Form: Notice of Filing Under Bankruptcy Laws

16-007

§16.7

Form: Entire Agreement

16-008

§16.8

Form: Headings Not Part of Agreement

16-009

§16.9

Form: Interpreting Agreement

16-010

§16.10

Severability in Event of Partial Invalidity

16-011

§16.11

Partial Invalidity Renders Agreement Unenforceable or Subject to Rescission

16-012

§16.12

Form: Governing Law

16-013

§16.13

Form: Binding Effect of Agreement

16-014

§16.14

Form: Cooperation in Implementation oAgreement

16-015

§16.15

Form: Waiver of Breach

16-016

§16.16

Form: Reconciliation

16-017

§16.17

Form: Modification by Subsequent Agreement

16-018

§16.18

Form: Attorney Fees in Action to Enforce or Modify Agreement

16-019

§16.19

Form: Effective Date of Agreement

16-020

§16.20

Agreement to Be Attached to Judgment

16-021

§16.21

Agreement Not to Be Filed in Proceeding

16-022

§16.22

Form: Acknowledgment of Waiver of Final Declarations of Disclosure

16-023

§16.23

Each Party Independently Represented

16-024

§16.24

One Party Unrepresented by Counsel

16-025

§16.25

Form: Signatures and Dates

CH17

Chapter 17

Premarital Agreements

17-018

§17.18

Identification of Parties

17-019

§17.19

Parties’ Circumstances

17-020

§17.20

Purpose of Agreement

17-021

§17.21

Disclosures of Property and Financial Obligations

17-021A

§17.21A

Waiver of Disclosure of Property and Financial Obligations

17-022

§17.22

Disclosures Regarding Income

17-023

§17.23

All Property to Be Separate Property

17-024

§17.24

All Separate Property to Remain Separate Property

17-025

§17.25

Joint Accounts and Other Community Property

17-026

§17.26

Gifts Made to Parties Jointly

17-027

§17.27

Gifts and Other Transfers Between Parties

17-028

§17.28

Debts

17-029

§17.29

Income Tax Returns

17-030

§17.30

Waiver of Rights Under Equitable Distribution Laws

17-031

§17.31

No Restrictions on Transfers at Death or Nomination of Executor

17-032

§17.32

Gifts at Death

17-033

§17.33

Waiver or Limitation of Spousal Support

17-034

§17.34

Treatment of Borrowed Funds and Assets Acquired With Those Funds

17-035

§17.35

Certain Events Are Not Evidence of Transmutation

17-036

§17.36

Property Settlement with Incremental Increase in Community Ownership and No-Contest Provision

17-037

§17.37

Release of Premarital Liabilities and Claims

17-038

§17.38

Execution and Delivery of Documents

17-039

§17.39

Waiver of Rights on Death of Other Party

17-040

§17.40

Entire Agreement

17-041

§17.41

Confidentiality

17-042

§17.42

Binding Effect of Agreement

17-043

§17.43

Waiver of Breach

17-044

§17.44

Amendment or Revocation by Subsequent Agreement

17-045

§17.45

Governing Law

17-046

§17.46

Headings Not Part of Agreement

17-047

§17.47

Interpreting Agreement

17-048

§17.48

Severability in Event of Partial Invalidity

17-049

§17.49

No-Contest Clause

17-050

§17.50

Arbitration of Disputes Regarding Validity of Agreement

17-051

§17.51

Future Attorney Fees and Costs Related to Agreement

17-052

§17.52

Each Party Independently Represented

17-053

§17.53

One Party Unrepresented by Counsel

17-054

§17.54

Signatures and Dates

17-055

§17.55

Form: Complete Sample Agreement

CH18

Chapter 18

Marital Agreements

18-030

§18.30

Identification of Parties

18-031

§18.31

No Separation or Dissolution Contemplated

18-032

§18.32

Purpose of Agreement

18-033

§18.33

Disclosures of Property and Financial Obligations

18-034

§18.34

All Property to Be Separate Property

18-035

§18.35

Waivers of Joint and Survivor Annuities and Survivor Benefits

18-036

§18.36

Joint Accounts and Other Community Property

18-037

§18.37

Gifts Made to Parties Jointly

18-038

§18.38

Gifts and Other Transfers Between Parties

18-039

§18.39

Transmutation of One Spouse’s Separate Property to Community Property

18-040

§18.40

Transmutation of Community Property to One Spouse’s Separate Property

18-041

§18.41

Transmutation of One Spouse’s Separate Property to Separate Property of Other Spouse

18-042

§18.42

Debts

18-043

§18.43

Income Tax Returns

18-044

§18.44

Execution, Acknowledgment, and Delivery of Documents

18-045

§18.45

Waiver of Rights on Death of Other Party

18-046

§18.46

Entire Agreement

18-047

§18.47

Binding Effect of Agreement

18-048

§18.48

Amendment or Revocation by Subsequent Agreement

18-049

§18.49

Governing Law

18-050

§18.50

Severability in Event of Partial Invalidity

18-050A

§18.50A

Interpreting Agreement

18-051

§18.51

Future Attorney Fees and Costs Related to Agreement

18-052

§18.52

Effective Date of Agreement

18-053

§18.53

Each Party Independently Represented

18-054

§18.54

One Party Unrepresented by Counsel

18-055

§18.55

Signatures and Dates

18-056

§18.56

Form: Complete Sample Agreement

CH19

Chapter 19

Nonmarital Cohabitation Agreements

19-024

§19.24

No Change in Property Rights

19-025

§19.25

Co-Ownership of Particular Asset in Equal Shares

19-026

§19.26

Co-Ownership of Particular Asset in Unequal Shares

19-027

§19.27

Pooling Agreement

19-029

§19.29

No Obligation to Support

19-030

§19.30

Support During Relationship in Exchange for Services

19-031

§19.31

Support During Relationship, Plus Property Interest, in Exchange for Services

19-032

§19.32

Sample Form: No Change in Property Rights

19-033

§19.33

Sample Form: Pooling Agreement

CH20

Chapter 20

QDROs and Other Retirement Benefits Orders

20-043

§20.43

Identification of Parties

20-044

§20.44

Intent of Order

20-045

§20.45

Participant and Alternate Payee Information for Purposes of Notification

20-046

§20.46

Dates of Marriage and Separation

20-047

§20.47

Plan Administrator

20-048

§20.48

Definitions

20-049

§20.49

Alternate Payee’s Benefit Determined as Fractional Share (“Time Rule” Percentage)

20-049A

§20.49A

Alternate Payee’s Benefit Is Exactly Half of Community Interest

20-050

§20.50

Calculation of Benefit

20-051

§20.51

Benefit Increases or Improvements

20-052

§20.52

Subsequent Reemployment

20-053

§20.53

Form and Timing of Distribution of Alternate Payee’s Benefit

20-054

§20.54

Alternate Payee’s Rights and Privileges

20-055

§20.55

Alternate Payee’s Death

20-056

§20.56

Participant’s Death

20-057

§20.57

No Waiver of QPSA Without Alternate Payee’s Written Consent

20-058

§20.58

Remaining Benefits Confirmed to Participant

20-059

§20.59

Intent and Construction

20-060

§20.60

Tax Treatment of Distributions

20-061

§20.61

Continued Qualified Status of Order Intended

20-062

§20.62

Reservation of Jurisdiction

20-063

§20.63

Parties’ Cooperation

20-064

§20.64

Notices

20-065

§20.65

Effect of Benefit Adjustment Resulting From Plan Termination or Plan Underfunding

20-066

§20.66

Attorney Fees and Costs on Enforcement

20-067

§20.67

Plan’s Mistaken Payment

20-068

§20.68

Suspension or Termination of Benefits

20-069

§20.69

Notices Regarding Order and Plan Procedures

20-069A

§20.69A

Warranty

20-071A

§20.71A

Provisional Award of Benefits on Bifurcation of Marital Status

20-072

§20.72

General Stipulated QDRO

20-072A

§20.72A

Stipulated QDRO With Special Offset if Participant Predeceases Alternate Payee

20-072B

§20.72B

Stipulated QDRO Using “Crossover” Time Rule

20-073

§20.73

Sample Form: Defined Contribution Plan QDRO

20-074

§20.74

Sample Form: Interim QDRO

20-074A

§20.74A

Model Shared Payment QDRO

20-074B

§20.74B

Model Separate Interest QDRO

20-074C

§20.74C

Model Treat-as-Spouse QDRO

20-075

§20.75

Form: Employee Benefits Data Form

CH21

Chapter 21

Complete Marital Settlement Agreements

21-002

§21.2

Checklist: Sample Marital Settlement Agreement Provisions

21-003

§21.3

Sample Basic Marital Settlement Agreement

21-004

§21.4

Sample Basic Stipulation for Judgment

21-005

§21.5

Sample Complex Marital Settlement Agreement

 

Selected Developments

January 2023 Update

Summarized below are some of the more important developments since the 2022 update of this publication. In addition to the noted developments, all statutes, court rules, and Judicial Council forms have been updated as of the cutoff dates.

Child Support

For a new Practice Tip on the use of a QDRO distribution for child support, and strategies related to tax withholdings to maximize support for the child, see §20.60.

Inheritance Rights

In Welch v Welch (2022) 79 CA5th 283, a husband waived his rights as surviving spouse under Prob C §141(a) because his marital settlement agreement was signed by both spouses with the advice of counsel after the exchange of preliminary financial disclosures and constituted a “complete property settlement” under Prob C §145. See §3.20.

Premarital Agreements

Marriage of Zucker (2022) 75 CA5th 1025 held that the unconscionability of a premarital agreement entered into between 1986 and 2002 should be analyzed by the court both at the time of execution and at the time of enforcement. See §17.4.

For a new Practice Tip on drafting a premarital agreement to pass the “unconscionability” test of Marriage of Zucker, supra, see §17.4.

In Estate of Eskra (2022) 78 CA5th 209, the court distinguished a mistake of fact and a mistake of law in upholding the validity of a premarital agreement based on the fact that the appellant bore this risk of her mistake. See §17.12A.

QDROs and Other Retirement Accounts

For a new Practice Tip describing the advantages of using a QDRO for the payment of court-ordered support to a child or other dependent, including the tax implications under IRC §402(e), see §11.1.

Some retirement programs are designed to ensure that a minimum pension will be received using a combination of a defined benefit plan (the benefits of which are protected by the requirements of IRC §412 and, in most cases, at least partially guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation) and a defined contribution/individual account plan (the benefits of which are subject to market risk). These programs are typically designed with an offset provision under which a participant will receive the accrued defined benefit plan benefit only if and to the extent the value of that benefit at retirement exceeds the value of the participant’s defined contribution plan account. Because under this arrangement it is possible for post-separation contributions that are made to the individual account plan to reduce the benefits otherwise payable under the defined benefit plan (rather than add to the total benefit payable), care should be taken to ensure that post-separation contributions are characterized as separate property only to the extent they do not reduce the community interest in the benefits otherwise payable under the defined benefit plan. See §20.8.

Whether and under what circumstances a plan will allow so-called in service withdrawals will be set forth in formal plan document, and perhaps also in the summary plan description (SPD). See Note in §20.14.

For a new Note regarding an issue that may arise after a tracing in a participant-directed plan—that the separate property contributions were invested differently from contributions made as community property—and whether plan earnings and losses should be computed separately for the community or separate interests, see §20.19.

For a new Practice Tip discussing the common misperception that the parties must stipulate to a DRO in order for it be approved as a QDRO, or that a plan’s preapproval is necessary, see §20.42.

Spousal Support

In Marriage of Pletcher (2021) 68 CA5th 906, the court suggested that the Ostler/Smith component would be appropriate in a case in which husband’s income fluctuated significantly year to year. See §8.6.

About the Authors

Carol Amyx. The late Carol Amyx, B.A., 1965, University of California, Berkeley, and J.D., 1975, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, practiced law in Berkeley with a special expertise in nonmarital family cases. She served as a Judge Pro Tem for family law in Alameda County. She was a member of the State Bar Family Law Section, the Alameda County Bar Association, the Alameda County Family Law Association, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). She taught CEB courses in family law litigation, recent developments in family law, and business buy-sell agreements; wrote course materials for CEB; and was a co-author of a previous edition of this book. Ms. Amyx authored chap 19, was co-author of chap 4, and reviewed chaps 8 and 9 for currency and accuracy.

Peggy L. Bennington, B.A., 1970, and J.D., 1974, Ohio State University, is a sole practitioner in Mill Valley and is a Certified Family Law Specialist. Her practice is limited to family law litigation, consulting with parties in family law, and mediation. Ms. Bennington has served as chair of the Family Law Section of the Marin County Bar Association. She is also a fellow and past president of the Northern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Bennington is the author of chap 3.

Sandra Blair, B.A., 1967, University of California, Berkeley; M.A., 1969, University of Wisconsin; J.D., 1973, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, has been a Certified Family Law Specialist since 1981. She has served on the Family Law Advisory Commission to the Board of Legal Specialization, and she is a past President of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. Ms. Blair has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the San Francisco Superior Courts and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She is a member of the Association of Family Conciliation Courts and Mediation Resources, providing legal and psychological resources for alternative dispute resolution. She is a contributing author to Family Law Financial Discovery (Cal CEB) and also contributed to CEB’s now-discontinued title California Domestic Partnerships (Cal CEB). Ms. Blair is the author of chap 1 of this book, and the book’s overall editorial consultant.

C. Rick Chamberlin. The late C. Rick Chamberlin was the original author of chaps 8 and 9 in a prior edition of this book. Mr. Chamberlin, who practiced family law in San Francisco, was chair of the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, 1991–1992, and worked extensively to expand and publicize the legal specialization program.

Linda A. Chapin, B.A., 1972, Stanford University; J.D., 1975, University of California, Hastings College of the Law; M.S.W., 1995, California State University, Long Beach, is a family law attorney and mediator located in Fullerton. She has served as a director of the Family Law Department for The Mediation Center in Costa Mesa. Ms. Chapin has practiced family law in Orange County since 1978 and was a member of the resident faculty at Western State University College of Law in Fullerton for 6 years. She has taught advanced family mediation techniques and has been an invited panelist on family law and mediation topics. Ms. Chapin is the author of chap 10.

James M. Crawford, Jr., B.A., 1968, University of California, Santa Barbara; J.D., 1971, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, is an ERISA attorney with an extensive QDRO practice. Mr. Crawford regularly counsels employers, trustees, and other plan fiduciaries in all aspects of the installation, administration, termination, and taxation of both qualified and nonqualified employee benefit plans as well as TSA programs. He provides representation and litigation support for benefit claims, IRS audits, and Labor Department investigations. Mr. Crawford also assists individual plan and IRA participants with their benefit distribution and tax planning, including the division of benefits on divorce (QDROs). Mr. Crawford is a frequent speaker on employee benefits matters and has been a guest lecturer at such venues as the State Bar Institute and McGeorge School of Law. He is a co-author of chaps 11 and 20.

R. Ann Fallon, B.A., 1970, Fordham University; J.D., 1983, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, is a Certified Family Law Specialist and Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is a partner in the law firm of Whiting, Fallon & Ross in Walnut Creek, which she joined in 1984, and specializes in family law pension issues. Ms. Fallon has authored numerous articles on pension issues, participated in continuing legal education programs, and is a contributing editor to Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces (Cal CEB). She is a co-author of chaps 11 and 20.

Debra S. Frank, B.A., 1970, Boston University; M.A., 1972, Carnegie Institute of Technology; J.D., 1977, Southwestern University School of Law, is a Certified Family Law Specialist, with a law practice in Los Angeles. She is a member of numerous local bar associations, the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) and the Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court. She has served in leadership positions including as president of the American Inns of Court Family Law, ACFLS Board member and editor and associate editor of the ACFLS Family Law Specialist, Journal of the California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and chair of the family law sections of the Los Angeles County, Century City, and Beverly Hills bar associations. She is a past member of the Executive Committee of the California State Bar Family Law Section and served on the Board of Legal Specialization, Family Law Advisory Commission. She has served as the editor of the Family Law Reference Book for the Family Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. She is a family law mediator for the LACBA Family Law Section, has served as a Judge Pro Tem, and was a Commissioner and Vice Chairperson of the California Law Revision Commission from 1982 to 1983. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, Ms. Frank was named by Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in Southern California for 2009–2018. Ms. Frank is the author of chap 18.

Gary J. Friedman, B.A., 1966, Brown University; J.D., 1969, Boston University, practices law and mediation with Mediation Law Offices in Mill Valley. He is the author of A Guide to Divorce Mediation (Workman Publishing, 1993) and has conducted training programs in mediation and mediative approaches to the practice of law throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Friedman is a co-author of chap 2.

Linda S. Gross, B.A., 1968, Mount Holyoke College; J.D., 1977, University of California, Davis, School of Law; LL.M., 1985, University of San Diego, is a Certified Family Law Specialist and practices law in Santa Monica. She has had her own practice since 1990 and has focused primarily on family law for over two decades, after being a business, corporate, and tax attorney. She was Chairperson of the California State Bar Family Law Section Property Committee (South) from 1986 to 1990. She has published several articles and spoken at seminars, including the State Bar Convention, on family law in general and premarital agreements. She was an original co-author of chap 17.

Suzanne Harris, J.D., 1977, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, is a principal in the law firm of Harris Ginsberg LLP in Los Angeles and is a Certified Family Law Specialist. She is a past Chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Family Law Section and served on the Judicial Council’s Family Law Advisory Committee to the Chief Justice of California. She is active in the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section and is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Harris is a frequent lecturer to attorneys and others on family law and litigation topics. She is the author of chaps 12 and 13.

Sarah Leverett, B.A., 1964, Agnes Scott College; M.A.T., 1965, Duke University; J.D., 1975, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, is a Certified Family Law Specialist, with a law practice in Oakland that specializes in family law litigation and mediation. She has taught family law at the Wright Institute and the University of California, Berkeley, School of Social Welfare and many continuing education courses to attorneys and mental health professionals. Ms. Leverett is a founding partner of Waterstone, a group of professionals involved in teaching multidisciplinary courses in family law and mediation. She is a co-author of chap 4.

Steven C. Neustadter. The late Steven C. Neustadter, B.A., 1964, University of California, Berkeley; J.D., 1969, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, was an original co-author of chap 2. Mr. Neustadter practiced law and mediation in Sebastopol and was a Certified Family Law Specialist. He frequently acted as a private judge in family law matters and taught continuing education programs to lawyers in family law, mediation, negotiation, stress reduction, and the application of psychological principles to the practice of law.

John H. Paulsen, B.A., 1970, University of Southern California; J.D., 1974, Pepperdine University, is a partner in the law firm of Paulsen & Davis in Auburn and is a Certified Family Law Specialist. Mr. Paulsen has served on the Executive Committee of the State Bar Family Law Section; as editor of the Family Law News from 1982 to 1985; on the Publication Development Board for the American Bar Association, Family Law Section from 1988 to 1993; and on the Family Law Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council of California. He is the author of chaps 6, 7, and 16.

Michael C. Shea. The late Michael C. Shea, B.A., 1968, California State University, San Diego; J.D., 1971, California Western University, was the original author of chaps 5, 14, and 15. Mr. Shea formerly practiced law in San Diego and was a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was a co-author of California Civil Practice, Family Law Litigation (Bancroft-Whitney, 1994) and served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of San Diego. He regularly served as a Judge Pro Tem in the San Diego Superior Court and frequently lectured to attorneys on family law matters. His original chapters were updated by CEB’s attorney staff for the third edition.

Peter M. Walzer, B.A., 1975, University of California, Los Angeles; J.D., 1980, Southwestern University School of Law, is a Certified Family Law Specialist and practices law in Beverly Hills and Woodland Hills (Walzer & Melcher, LLP). He is a past president of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. He is the President of the Southern California chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a past chair of the Executive Committee of the California State Bar Family Law Section. Mr. Walzer, who is widely respected as the “King of Prenups” for his demonstrated and recognized expertise in the area of premarital agreements, also has served as an editor of the Family Law News and participated in numerous continuing legal education programs. He was a contributing author of CEB’s now-discontinued title California Domestic Partnerships (Cal CEB). He is the author of chap 17 of this book for the current edition.

About the 2023 Update Authors

James M. Crawford, Jr., is the update author of chap 11 and the nongovernmental portions of chap 20; see the About the Authors section for a full biography.

B. Robert Farzad, Esq., is the managing partner of Farzad & Ochoa Family Law Attorneys, LLP. He has been a licensed California attorney since 1996. Mr. Farzad is an executive committee member of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Family Law Section. He is the Series Leader for Family Law and Code of Civil Procedure for the Legislative Resolutions Committee of the OCBA. He has served as panelist and co-panelist for seminars at CEB and the OCBA. Mr. Farzad is actively involved in community and pro bono work. He is a board of directors member of Su Casa, an organization devoted to ending domestic violence, in Los Angeles. He serves as a volunteer attorney for Human Options in Orange County and Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law in Los Angeles. He is the update author of chap 6.

Debra S. Frank is the update author of chap 18; see the About the Authors section for a full biography.

Peter M. Walzer is the update author of chap 17; see the About the Authors section for a full biography.

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