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The court may order the payment of fees and cost based on the parties’ "relative circumstances" (i.e., respective income, assets, needs, and abilities to pay) to ensure equal legal representation in court. Such awards may be granted to provide the party the money needed to hire an attorney.

Jurisdiction is the right, power, or authority to determining controversies and issue orders that parties to the controversy must comply. In California, the superior courts are the lowest level of state courts in holding general jurisdiction on civil and criminal matters. Jurisdiction is divided into to categories, personal jurisdiction and subject matter jurisdiction.

Under California law, if a marriage is "of long duration," the court "retains jurisdiction" over an award of spousal support after the dissolution (divorce) is completed, unless the spouses agree otherwise. When a court retains jurisdiction over spousal support, the court has the authority to decide issues relating to support of either party and can modify an order if changing facts and circumstances justify a change.

A family’s largest investment is often the home they live in. A family home is can be purchased and financed in a variety of ways. When a family dissolves, one household becomes two, and community property must be divided, it's difficult to determine each spouse’s respective ownership interest in the family residence, even experienced attorney’s get it wrong.

An Employer may offer stock options to an employee to attract a new employee, as compensation for future service, and/or as an incentive for an employee to stay with the company. A Stock option is an option to purchase a specific number of shares of employer’s stock at a particular price and time.

A county has filed a complaint against Volkswagen seeking damages from alleged violations of local vehicle emissions laws.

The date of marriage identifies when a marital relationship begins. The date of separation identifies the end of community created by the marriage and the time when property acquisitions by a spouse are considered to be separate property

A copyright filed by the Summy Co. in 1935 granted the rights to specific piano arrangements of the music only, not the actual song.

Agreement to commit a wrong (tort) against the plaintiff.

federal jury convicted Parnell on 71 criminal counts that included conspiracy, obstruction of justice and introduction of adulterated food.