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Slip and fall accidents can happen unexpectedly, but knowing the right steps to take afterward can make all the difference in your recovery and legal case. In the video below, Sina Mohajer of Mohajer Law Firm, based in Arcadia, California, provides essential guidance on what to do immediately following a slip and fall incident to protect your rights and maximize your claim. At Mohajer Law Firm, we specialize in personal injury cases, family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation. With years of experience helping clients recover damages for slip and fall injuries, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Mohajer Law Firm today for a one-on-one consultation. We’ll review your case and provide expert guidance on how to proceed.  Transcript: Hey, welcome back to our channel. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Sina Mohajer, with Mohajer Law Firm located right here in Arcadia, California. We specialize in family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, and personal injury. Now, you might have noticed quite a bit of gap from the last video until today, and that’s for good reason. I’m proud to announce the growth of our firm. We’ve moved into a bigger location to allow for more staff to take on more cases and to help out our community. And I’m even happier to announce that our success rate has only increased. So, for those of you who are new, welcome. Please don’t forget to subscribe so you’re always informed of any new videos being posted. And without further ado, I welcome you all to our new series called A Walk in the Park. Essential Steps to Take If You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident In this particular episode, I want to address the steps you should take if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident. Now, when that time does come, it’s very possible that you just want to jump right back up on your feet, brush off your injuries, and pretend it never happened. But it’s very important to take these key steps in order to ensure the maximum recovery that we can get for you when dealing with your claim or litigating your case. Collect Evidence The very first thing, and I cannot emphasize this enough, is evidence, evidence, evidence. Without it, you’ve got nothing. So, it’s very important when you are injured in a slip and fall to take photographs of your surroundings, take photographs of any potential injuries that are apparent at that time, talk to bystanders, figure out what they might have seen, if there could be potential witnesses, and at least get their contact information so that we can reach out when the time is right. Contact the Property Owner Another important step is to make sure that you reach out or contact the property owner or the manager. Without giving them notice, who’s to say you even fell to begin with? So, it’s very important to let them know that you did fall, you were injured, and for them to be aware of the situation. If they give you anything to sign, absolutely do not sign any documents they give you, and do not make any affirmations that you’re fine and you’re okay. Definitely don’t build up any injuries that aren’t there. We certainly want to play by the book and play by the rules. So, it’s important that you’re only giving notice and nothing more. Seek Medical Attention The next key thing to do is to seek medical attention. At the end of the day, our goal is to ensure that you are made whole. If you are injured, to get the recovery and to get the treatment that you need in order to recover so you can continue and enjoy your life as such. By not seeking medical attention immediately, not only does it affect your case, but it can also affect your health. And that is our number one priority with Mohajer Law Firm. So, it’s very important that you do seek out. Don’t worry about what attorney sends you to which medical professional. Seek out your primary or go to urgent care. Seek Legal Counsel The next strongest recommendation I can give you when you are injured in a slip and fall is to seek legal counsel. More times than not, you’re going to receive a higher recovery if you are legally represented than if you were to handle the claim yourself. We will do everything from start to finish—opening the claim, gathering the evidence, sending the appropriate evidence that the adjuster will need in order to determine what they are offering to settle out your case. If we cannot reach a settlement, we litigate your case and we go to battle for you. We will take it all the way to trial and demonstrate the impact that the injury had on you and what you do need to receive in order to be made whole. Contact a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer If you have questions about your case, please call our office. We are happy to sit down with you one-on-one to discuss your case in more detail.

Filing for divorce can be an emotional and complex process. In the video below, Sina Mohajer of Mohajer Law Firm, based in Arcadia, California, breaks down the divorce process into the major steps, from filing the initial petition to navigating settlement agreements or trial. At Mohajer Law Firm, we specialize in family law, including divorce and custody matters. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every stage of the process. If you’re considering filing for divorce or have questions about your legal options, contact Mohajer Law Firm at (626) 569-5200 for a one-on-one consultation. Transcript: Hey, welcome back to our channel. For those who don’t know me, I’m Sina Mohajer with Mohajer Law Firm, located right here in Arcadia, California. We specialize in family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, and personal injury. Now, you might have noticed we’ve taken quite a bit of a break from our last videos, and for good reason. We’ve gotten extremely busy with the firm. We have been growing, taking on more cases. We’ve recently moved to a bigger location, allowing us to hire more staff to help the legal community and assist with their particular cases. I have to take this opportunity to thank all those who sent me messages inquiring about when we’re going to start these videos back up again. It truly warms my heart to find out that the content we provided was useful and informative to the viewers. So, thank you to those who have been sending those messages. We’ve received them loud and clear. If you’re new to the channel, please hit that like button and subscribe as well, so you’re always informed of any new videos being posted. If the content in any of these videos has been helpful to you or you think it might be helpful to someone you know, please share the video. At the end of the day, we’re here to provide knowledge and information to our community to better serve them.   Filing for Divorce Now, without further ado, I’d like to welcome those who are new to the channel and those returning to our brand-new series called A Walk in the Park. In this video, we’re going to discuss the divorce process. I want to provide you with a step-by-step guide on what to expect when you file for divorce. I’ve got a lot of other videos in the library that dive deeper into the nuances and details of every stage. So, if there’s any time when you’re confused about something I said, please go back and look at those videos for more information. But for today’s purposes, we’re going to keep it breezy. Step 1: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Step one is you’re going to need to file the initial petition for dissolution. When you do so, you are essentially suing your spouse, but not in the same sense as a personal injury case or a breach of contract case. In this instance, you are suing your spouse and requesting the court to finalize your divorce, sever the marriage, and allow you to start a new chapter in your life. So, the first stage is the petition. Once you’re done with the petition, you need to properly serve the respondent, or in other words, your ex-spouse. To serve them, you’ll either need to do it personally or they will need to accept service in any other fashion where they sign an acknowledgement and receipt of that service. Step 2: Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure Stage two of the process is your disclosure requirement. In any divorce case, you’re required to provide your Preliminary Declaration of Disclosures. This sets forth all the assets and debts you believe the community has and designates other assets and debts that might need to be characterized as separate property. This step is crucial to facilitate and move the case forward. Without the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosures, the court does not have jurisdiction to terminate your marriage, so it’s very important to meet this requirement. Step 3: Discovery and Settlement Discussions Stage three of the process is the discovery stage or potential settlement discussions. If you and your spouse can come to a full agreement on all terms—including spousal support, child custody, visitation, child support, and the division of assets and debts—you can avoid making a court appearance altogether. In stage four, you would prepare a stipulated judgment. But in stage three, you start discussing settlement terms to figure out which issues you can agree on and which you cannot. Step 4: Stipulated Judgement or Trial Stage four of the process, if you have an agreement, involves preparing your paperwork for a stipulated judgment. This document sets forth all the rules and agreements you and your spouse have entered into. Once the court finalizes it, you’re done and can start your new chapter as a single person. However, if you can’t come to an agreement on every issue, this is when you’ll take the case to trial. At trial, you’ll present evidence and speak to the judge, who will determine how things are divided or when you get to see your children. Contact Us If You Have Questions About Filing for Divorce If you have any questions about your particular case, or if anything in this video raised further questions, I welcome you to contact our office and schedule a consultation with me. I’d be happy to sit down and discuss your case in more detail.

Are you going through a divorce in California and wondering if there is a difference between alimony and spousal support? Alimony vs Spousal Support Basically, they are the exact same thing. Alimony and spousal support are interchangeable terms that are used in court to establish the amount of support that one spouse has to pay to the other. Normally, it’s broken down into whether the marriage is a long term or short term marriage to determine the duration of the alimony or spousal support order. While generally the terms are used interchangeably, every state is different. In California, we use the term spousal support to discuss this topic. Contact Mohajer Law Firm Regarding Spousal Support in California Mohajer Law Firm are experts in family law and can help you navigate your divorce in Arcadia or the Greater Los Angeles area. Contact us for an initial consultation to speak with our attorneys. Simply message us through our website or call us today at 626-569-5200.

In California, child support payments are typically not considered income for the recipient, meaning the party who is receiving the child support payments. Is Child Support Taxable? Is Child Support Tax Deductible? According to the California Family Code section 4058, child support payments are meant to cover the child’s expenses, and thus are not taxable income for the parent receiving the support. Similarly, they are not tax deductible for the parent making the payments. Determining Child Support Payments Child support is considered based on each parent’s income, as well as the time share each parent has with the minor child, or children, along with many other factors. Every family court uses the same type of calculation to determine what is the statewide guideline support amount, meaning the minimum amount a parent must pay to help support the minor children or child. Use of Child Support The recipient of a child support payment can use the funds in any way they deem appropriate. They do not need to provide an accounting. They can use it on food, rent, or clothing. They can add it and commingle it with their own accounts to pay for gas, pay for clothing, for anybody, whether it’s themselves or the children. There’s zero accounting or any auditing being done on the funds used from the child support received. Contact Our Child Support Lawyers Mohajer Law Firm are experts in family law and can help you and your family navigate your divorce and child support needs in Arcadia or the Greater Los Angeles area. Contact us for an initial consultation to speak with our attorneys. Simply message us through our website or call us today at 626-569-5200.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Child Support In California? Experienced family law attorney Sina Mohajer of Mohajer Law Firm looks at the consequences of not fulfilling child support obligations. As a seasoned legal professional practicing in Greater Los Angeles County since 2012, Sina Mohajer offers valuable insights into the legal implications of failing to meet child support requirements and provides guidance on navigating this complex issue. If you have child support orders in your family law case, you may wonder about the potential consequences if you cannot make your child support payments. In this video, attorney Sina Mohajer explains the basics of child support, why it’s ordered, and what happens if payments are missed. Discover the consequences of not meeting child support obligations, depending on whether the case is managed by the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) or through the family court system. Sina Mohajer outlines the potential actions taken by DCSS in California, such as suspending driver’s licenses and intercepting tax refunds, as well as the accumulation of arrears in the family court context. Gain clarity on the relationship between child support and custody arrangements. Sina Mohajer dispels the misconception that non-payment of child support can result in a loss of custodial time. Understand that child support and custody decisions are evaluated separately, with the court prioritizing the child’s best interests in custody matters. If you’re facing challenges with your child support case, it’s essential to consult an experienced family law attorney like Sina Mohajer. For personalized legal advice and assistance with your specific case, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sina Mohajer and Mohajer Law Firm. With their dedication to advocating for clients’ rights and navigating complex legal matters, you can trust their expertise in guiding you through your family law journey. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a skilled attorney about family law, contact Mohajer Law Firm today at (626)569-5200. Transcript: If you have child support ordered in your family law case, I get asked a lot of the times, what happens or what are some consequences if I end up not being able to make my child support payments? Well, I’ve got other videos that talk about how child support is ordered or what factors are used to determine the amount. But in this video particularly, I want to talk about briefly, what is child support? Why it’s ordered. What happens if you don’t make your monthly payments? What you should do if you’re unable to make your payments, as well as, can you lose custody if you do not make your child support payments? Hi, I am Sina Mohajer. I’m a family law attorney practicing in greater Los Angeles County since 2012. I’ve been a contributing member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and I’ve been rated by Super Lawyers since 2019. What Is Child Support? So what is child support? Well, child support is an order that makes one parent pay money on a monthly basis to the other parent in order to help facilitate or aid that financial burden that comes with having a child, whether it’s for food, shelter, clothing, or what have you. Now, you can’t dictate what your money is used towards, so that means the other parent can use it on rent, can use it on gas, can use on whatever, it’s to help financially support the kids. It’s not dictated onto what it can be used. Why Is Child Support Ordered? But why is child support even ordered? Well, child support is ordered because the child is between you and the other parent. The state has no financial obligation to support that child. But if you end up not making enough or not paying enough and that other parent is unable to financially support that child, what happens is that they go to the government and seek aid. At that point, it’s taxpayer dollars paying for a kid that they do not help bring to this world. What Happens If You Fail to Make Your Child Support Payments? So what happens if you fail to make your monthly obligation for child support? Well, that depends. DCSS In California If it’s going through the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), where they’re that entity that’s collecting this monthly payment, or they can do certain things to ensure that you pay your child support payments. For example, they can suspend your driver’s license. They can revoke your passport. Or they can even intercept any money that’s coming back from the IRS for tax purposes or any way that they can get their hands on your money, they are allowed to do it and they have the authority to do it. Family Court System But if it’s going through the family court system, then it’s a little different. What happens is you basically end up building up arrears, which means it’s backpay of what you have to pay to the other parent and that doesn’t go away. And backpay can be as little as a $1,000, $2,000. But I’ve seen as high as $100,000 where people are paying it after the kids have gone to college, gotten married and they’re grandparents. So it’s very important to try to limit the arrears or even prevent it altogether. Which leads to the next question. What Should You Do If You Are Unable To Make Your Support Payments? What should you do if you are unable to make your monthly support? And this happens more frequently than anything. I’ve got clients who have a child support order that they’re required to make every single month, but then they lose their job or they get laid off or their hours are decreased and they do nothing. So what happens is, you would think that your child support would automatically adjust, but that’s not true. In fact, the court requires you to keep making that court ordered monthly payment until the court modifies that order. So what

In this video, Sina Mohajer discusses what it means to be a surrogate mother. And second, does that individual have any custodial rights with that child? Are you curious about surrogacy in California and surrogacy laws? In this video, Sina Mohajer, a family law attorney, discusses a vital question: “Do Surrogate Mothers Have Parental Rights?” Surrogacy is a fascinating yet complex arrangement. It begins with a contractual relationship where potential parents hire a surrogate mother to carry the child to term. There are specific do’s and don’ts agreed upon in the surrogacy contract before engaging in surrogacy. How does one become a surrogate mother? How does this contract define the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parents? After the delivery of the child, does the surrogate mother have any legal claim or custodial rights over the child? The answer is a resounding no. Sina explains why the child doesn’t belong to the surrogate mother and what happens once the child is delivered. The terms of the relationship are crucial. If the intended parents and the surrogate agree on maintaining a connection or relationship post-delivery, the surrogate contract must explicitly state it. Each surrogacy case can have unique terms, but the rights and obligations of all parties are typically defined before the process begins. This video is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for advice regarding your specific situation. If you have any questions or want to speak with a skilled attorney about family law, contact Mohajer Law Firm at (626)569-5200. Transcript: I’m sure you see my other videos where I discuss custody and visitation between two parents. But what happens if we have a surrogate mother, a third party? What does that mean? First of all, what does it mean to be a surrogate mother? And second, does that individual have any custodial rights at all with that child? Hi, I’m Sina Mohajer. I’m a family law attorney practicing in the Greater Los Angeles County since 2012. I’ve been a contributing member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and I’ve been rated by Super Lawyers since 2019. What Is a Surrogate Mother? So what does it mean to be a surrogate mother? What does it mean to have surrogacy? Well, it’s a relationship that starts off contract, where potential parents hire a contract with an individual, a woman, who would be able to carry the term of that child up until the time of labor. Now, because it’s based on a contract, there’s a lot of do’s and don’ts that you two agree to prior to becoming a surrogate mother. Custodial Rights of a Surrogate Mother? But the question is then, upon delivery of this child, does this individual have any custodial rights to that child? The easy answer is no, they don’t. Why? Because this child doesn’t belong to the surrogate mother. Their body, or their womb, is basically being used as a lease temporarily to help nurture this child and grow upon delivery. The moment that child is delivered, the contract is done and there’s no longer a relationship. Surrogate Contract But remember how I said in the beginning, before the person becomes the surrogate mother, everyone agrees to all the terms. And that’s why it’s very important to always revert back to that. If the three of you or the two of you decide that you would like the surrogate mother to have some type of relationship or connection with this child upon delivery, then you can agree to that, but you’re not required to. Contact Us About Your Surrogate Mother Custody Case If you have questions about your child custody case or you have some complex nature that you are trying to figure out what to do, feel free to give our office a call. I’ll be happy to schedule an initial consultation and sit down with you one on one.

Does the length of marriage affect alimony? How is alimony calculated? In this video, Sina Mohajer discusses the difference between temporary and permanent support, as well as how it’s calculated, and what factors play a role in how long you can receive spousal support based on the duration of marriage. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a skilled attorney about family law—including alimony payments—contact Mohajer Law Firm today at (626)569-5200.  Transcript: When you’re involved in a divorce proceeding, one of the most contentious issues litigated is spousal support. Now, you might have seen, and if you haven’t, please check out the rest of the videos. But I discuss in detail the different nuances of spousal support, or alimony, in the state of California. But in this video, I want to concentrate on a few issues. One, what is alimony? What’s the difference between temporary and permanent support, as well as how it’s calculated, and what factor plays in as to how long you can receive spousal support based on the duration of marriage? Hi, I’m Sina Mahajar. I’m a family law attorney practicing in the Greater Los Angeles County since 2012. I’ve been a contributing member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and I’ve been rated by Super Lawyers since 2019. What Is Alimony? So what is alimony? Well, we use it interchangeably with spousal support or alimony. It’s the same thing. Basically, it’s support from one spouse to the other in order to maintain that same standard of living that you two lived when married. Temporary Spousal Support vs Permanent Spousal Support Now, the difference between temporary and permanent really comes out to, at what stage in the proceeding you’re in. Temporary support is usually ordered during the pendency of your case to ensure immediate financial stability. On the other hand, permanent support is typically decided at the time of trial, where having a skilled spousal support attorney in Arcadia is essential to properly protect your long-term interests. Permanent support is usually decided at the time of trial or at the conclusion of your case. How Is Alimony Calculated? The way the court calculates it is that we use a software called DissoMaster, as I previously discussed in other videos for temporary support. But when it comes to final determination for more permanent support, we look at Family Code 4320. 4320 lists a certain number of factors that the court has to analyze in determining how much support should be ordered from one spouse to the other. Length of Marriage and Alimony Now, the duration of marriage is a huge factor in determining the duration or the length that spousal support needs to be paid. If you’ve had a long-term marriage of 10 years or more, then permanent support is indefinite, until one of you passes away, the person who’s receiving support remarries, or the court terminates jurisdiction of spousal support. But if you have a short-term marriage, anything below 10 years, then it’s usually paid for half the duration of the marriage. If you were married for six, you get three years of support. Legal Help with Alimony in California If you have questions about your specific case or if you would like to discuss other options pertaining to the pendency of your separation, please reach out to an experienced divorce attorney in Arcadia for professional guidance. Feel free to give us a call or visit our contact page to schedule your initial consultation.

What is a collaborative divorce? What are the benefits of a collaborative divorce? What is the process? Are there cost savings? Welcome to our comprehensive guide on collaborative divorce, featuring experienced family law attorney Sina Mohajer. Sina offers in-depth insight into the world of divorce law and alternative methods to litigation, such as collaborative divorce. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a skilled attorney about family law, contact Mohajer Law Firm today at (626)569-5200. Transcript: If you’re thinking about filing for divorce, you don’t necessarily have to litigate your case. There’s another approach you can take, which is called a collaborative divorce. And in this video, we’re going to discuss just that. We’ll touch on what does it mean to have a collaborative divorce? What is the process, as well as, what are some benefits in doing a collaborative approach versus litigating your case in front of a judge? Hi, I’m Sina Mohajer. I’m a family law attorney practicing in the Greater Los Angeles County since 2012. I’ve been a contributing member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and I’ve been rated by Super Lawyers since 2019. What Is a Collaborative Divorce? So what does it mean to have a collaborative divorce? It means just that. You and your ex get to decide all of the issues and how you want to resolve your divorce without ever stepping foot in a courtroom. You need to resolve issues of custody, visitation, child support, spousal support or alimony, as well as a division of assets and debts. What Is the Process for a Collaborative Divorce? The process is even simpler than that. Once you file your petition for dissolution, we start drafting your stipulated judgment, which is basically the agreement that you and your ex have entered into to resolve your divorce. Once a judge signs off on it, you are done. Not one court appearance is needed and you get to start your new life. What Are the Benefits of a Collaborative Divorce? One of the biggest benefits of going through a collaborative approach versus litigation, is the amount of attorneys fees and costs you’re going to save. When litigating a divorce case, you can spend tens of thousands of dollars until you finalize your divorce. But in a collaborative approach, it’ll be nominal. The only time needed would be drafting the petition, the stipulated judgment, as well as any possible negotiations back and forth to resolve all the issues in your divorce. Another main benefit in a collaborative approach is the fact that you are in control. You and your ex get to decide all issues, rather than placing it in the hands of some stranger judge who gets to decide how you’re going to live your life moving forward. By keeping the control within you and your ex, it’s one of the greatest benefits that you can receive by doing the collaborative approach. Legal Help With Your Collaborative Divorce If you have any questions about your case, or you’re more interested in this approach versus litigation, feel free to give our office a call. I’ll be happy to schedule an initial consultation.

In this video, Attorney Sina Mohajer of the Mohajer Law Firm dives into the complex world of supervised visitation. Whether you’re a father seeking visitation rights, a mother concerned about your children’s well-being, or just a concerned relative, understanding the rules of supervised visitation is crucial. As a family law attorney serving Greater Los Angeles County since 2012, and a rated member of Super Lawyers since 2019, Sina provides expert insights based on years of professional experience in the field. In this comprehensive guide, he breaks down supervised visitation rules, how it works, and who can be a supervised visitation monitor, be it professional or nonprofessional, such as a family member. Supervised visitation is a court-ordered arrangement designed to ensure the safety and welfare of children during visits with a non-custodial parent. But when is it necessary to bring this request to the court? Sina discusses scenarios that might require such a measure, including issues with drug or alcohol abuse, anger, or negligence by the parent in question. Remember, the safety and well-being of your children are paramount. Let Attorney Sina Mohajer guide you in understanding and implementing the rules for supervised visitation to ensure that every interaction with your child is safe, healthy, and fulfilling. If you have any questions or want to speak with a skilled attorney about family law, contact Mohajer Law Firm at (626)569-5200. Transcript: If you’re involved in a visitation of a minor child, the need may arise where you need to request from the court for supervised visitation for the other parent. But what does that mean? In this video, we’re going to discuss just that. We’re going to talk about: what is supervised visitation, how does it work, and who can serve as the monitor, whether it’s a professional or a nonprofessional. And at what point do you need to bring to the Court’s attention and request for supervised visitation? Hi, I’m Sina Mohajer. I’m a family law attorney practicing in Greater Los Angeles County since 2012. I’ve been a contributing member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and I’ve been rated by Super Lawyers since 2019. What Is Supervised Visitation? So, what is supervised visitation? Well, the purpose is to monitor the other parent when they’re with the kids to ensure the safety and well-being of those children. Who Can Serve as a Monitor? Who can serve as a monitor? It’s pretty open. If the court orders professional monitors, then it has to be just that. But if it’s a nonprofessional, then you can have any grandparent, aunt and uncle, or any third party that the parties are comfortable with to serve as that monitor. When to Request Supervised Visitation Now, what are some times where you need to bring to the court’s attention and request for that supervised visitation? Because the purpose is to protect the children, then we need to be able to show the court that the children need protection when they’re with the other parent. For example, if they have a drug problem or an alcohol problem, whether they have anger issues, or if they’re negligent when they’re around the kids. It’s something to ensure that their custodial time with the kids are running smoothly and there’s no worry for the safety and well-being of those children. Contact an Experienced California Family Law Attorney Today If you have questions about your family law case or you want to dive deeper into whether your case is fit to request from the judge for a supervised visitation order for the other parent, feel free to give our office a call. I am happy to schedule an initial consultation.

Are you wondering how to legally change your name in California? This guide, presented by seasoned family law attorney Sina Mohajer of the Mohajer Law Firm, covers the steps to legally change your name in California, whether you are seeking to change your name after marriage, divorce, or for other personal reasons. If you want to learn more about legally changing names in California, call us at Mohajer Law Firm in California. Fill out our online contact form or call us at (626) 569-5200 to schedule an initial consultation with one of our qualified family law attorneys.  Transcript: If you’re looking to legally change your name, there are a couple ways of approaching this. One is through the divorce process and another one is by filing a petition for a name change. But what does it mean to do that? Which approach is better? And how long does it take? Or even better yet, can the court reject your request? In this video, we’re going to answer all of those questions. Hi, I’m Sina Mohajer. I’m a family law attorney practicing in the Greater Los Angeles County since 2012. I’ve been a contributing member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and I’ve been rated by Super Lawyers since 2019. Legal Name Change During California Divorce Proceedings One method of changing your name would be through the divorce process. In every petition for dissolution, there’s an area where you can check off and request for the court to change your name, whether it’s to go back to your maiden name or to go to any other name whatsoever. The process is very easy for that particular issue, as there’s really no argument or proof that you need to provide to the court in order to get your request granted. It is almost always guaranteed that you’re going to get your request granted by the judge. Name Change in California Outside of Divorce: Legal Process & Guidelines But what happens if you’re not in a divorce proceedings and you’re requesting for the court to change your name, whether it’s to match your gender identity or whether it’s for any other reason whatsoever? That process is a little bit more lengthy. After filing your petition, you have to also publish your requests in the newspaper of general circulation for a definitive amount of time before your court hearing. At the court hearing, your appearance might be needed or it might not, where the court just grants your request. Court Considerations for Name Change Under California Law But, there are certain factors that the court looks at. For example, what’s the purpose or reason that you’re asking for your name change? If you have any type of criminal convictions that you’re trying to avoid or if you’re trying to avoid any type of debts that you owe, the court needs to inquire to ensure that you’re not trying to commit any type of fraud or bad doing. Finalizing Your Legal Name Change in California The process after that, once the court grants it, you get your name change, you’re done, no questions asked and you start your new life. Legal Help for Name Change in California If you have questions about the name change process, or any other questions regarding name changes, feel free to give our office a call. I’ll offer initial consultation, and we can discuss more in detail, exactly what the purpose or what you’re trying to achieve.