Goodrich & Cheung, LLPGoodrich & Cheung, LLP2026-08-09T07:53:26Zhttps://www.goodrichcheung.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1301592/2020/10/cropped-fav-icon-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Immigration and asset protection: Marrying a U.S. citizen]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475452026-08-09T07:53:26Z2026-08-09T07:53:26ZLegal and administrative steps after marriage
As a community property state, California law treats assets, income and debts acquired during marriage as jointly owned. This means you need to plan your finances and legal affairs carefully from the start. Some of the critical legal and administrative steps after marriage include:
Updating state and federal identifiers: Update your name with the Social Security Administration and DMV so your documents match.
Filing the adjustment of status package: Apply for a green card by sending USCIS your application forms, financial proof and a medical exam.
Securing work and travel authorizations: Request temporary work and travel permits so you can work and travel safely while waiting for your green card.
Establishing a bona fide marriage record: Show proof of your life together, like shared bank accounts, lease agreements and bills, to prove your marriage is real.
Structuring community property and asset protections: California law splits marital assets and debts, so manage your finances and property carefully.
Understanding your legal duties after marriage in California means looking at both federal immigration rules and state family law. Marriage starts your three-year path to citizenship, but paperwork errors or financial issues can delay your application for a long time.
Taking the right legal steps
Managing immigration and property laws is often stressful for new couples. Consulting a skilled California immigration and family law attorney could help you protect your rights under state laws and fight with you to secure your path to permanent residency.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[How do you fund a living trust in California?]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475442026-08-05T10:21:45Z2026-08-05T10:16:49ZHow do you transfer property into the trust?
The transfer process depends on the type of property you own. For California real estate, funding generally requires a new deed that names you as trustee. Depending on the transfer, this may be a grant deed or quitclaim deed. You may also need to file a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report with the county.
Moving your home into your revocable trust generally does not trigger a property tax reassessment while you continue to control the trust and can change or cancel it. Different tax rules may apply when the home later passes to another person.
Banks and investment firms typically use their own forms to change nonretirement accounts from your individual name to your name as trustee. A separate assignment document can cover personal belongings, such as jewelry, artwork and furniture.
Which assets use beneficiary forms instead?
Retirement accounts generally stay in your name during your lifetime. Life insurance and some financial accounts also pass according to beneficiary forms rather than trust ownership.
Depending on your plan, you may name an individual or the trust as a beneficiary. Review each form alongside your estate plan instead of assuming one document overrides the other.
Keep your trust aligned with your assets
A current list of your major assets and beneficiary designations can make it easier to see how each one fits into your estate plan. Reviewing that information after opening an account, buying property or refinancing a home may also help identify assets that were never transferred or no longer reflect your wishes.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[How can one parent’s lack of involvement affect custody rights?]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475422026-07-17T14:13:03Z2026-07-18T07:00:37ZPossible changes to parenting arrangements
In California, courts consider a child’s health, safety and welfare when deciding custody. A pattern of missed visits or limited participation may identify which parent has provided consistent care.
The court may address that history in several ways:
Joint decision-making may become less practical. A judge might award sole legal custody if the history of parental involvement and other relevant facts show that this arrangement serves the child’s best interests.
Physical custody may favor the consistent caregiver. The child could live mainly with the parent who provides daily care and maintains a stable routine.
Parenting time may begin with restrictions. After a long absence, the court might order shorter or supervised visits before allowing longer periods with the child.
Parental rights could face termination. In an abandonment case, leaving a child with the other parent for one year without support or communication may support termination. The requesting parent must also prove an intent to abandon.
Even so, absence alone does not automatically end custody or visitation rights. Each order often depends on the child’s needs and the evidence before the court. Child support may also remain a separate duty.
A clear record can support your position
Keep a factual log of missed visits, communication attempts and major decisions you handled. School records and calendars can also show the child’s established routine without turning the dispute into personal criticism.
Professional help may clarify what those records establish and whether the other parent’s conduct could qualify as legal abandonment. An attorney can assess how the documented history relates to the custody order and whether the other parent’s conduct could support an abandonment claim.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Common reasons for delays in family-based immigration]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475382026-07-06T07:02:03Z2026-07-15T07:00:46ZAdministrative and documentation errors
Application delays or denials occur if you do not fill them out completely. A missing signature, wrong form, blank questions or incomplete answers can derail the process for you. Checking everything carefully before filing is crucial to preventing delays.
Additionally, you need to include enough supporting documents to prove your loved ones qualify for the visa or green card. Updated birth certificates, marriage licenses or adopting papers can help support your case. If there is not enough proof, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) may request for more proof, which can lead to delays.
Visa availability caps
If you are sponsoring someone who is not an immediate relative, there may only be a set number of available visas for each year, including:
Adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens
Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents
Because of these limits, your loved one may not receive a visa right away, even if they are otherwise eligible.
Government processing backlogs
Sometimes, processing delays can also happen due to the large number of applications that the USCIS and the National Visa Center (NVC) receive. When there are more cases than staff can handle, your application can stall. Staffing shortages, policy changes and increased demand can make these delays even worse.
Even after your case reaches a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, there may still be deferments because interview spots are limited. These conditions may be further exacerbated by local conditions or regional instability.
Helping you keep your family together
While you cannot control the processing time of your petition, you can still ensure the quality of your submission. When filing a family-based immigration case, careful preparation can make a major difference. A lawyer can help you identify issues and address them early to ensure a smoother process.
]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Why new parents need a will in California]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475362026-06-24T06:55:47Z2026-06-24T06:55:47ZA will lets you choose a guardian
A will allows you to create a guardianship designation for minor children and name the person you trust to step into that role. You can also name an alternate guardian in case your first choice is unable to serve.
Without a will, a court may decide who raises your child. Judges try to act in a child's best interests, but they may not know your family dynamics or understand your wishes.
A will can protect your child's financial future
A will can also help ensure that someone you trust manages assets intended for your child’s benefit. It may address:
Who will oversee the money left for your family
How inherited assets will pass to your children
When your children can access those funds
Depending on your family's circumstances, a trust may also be an important part of an estate plan and provide additional control over how assets are managed and distributed. Even families with modest assets may benefit from these protections. Life insurance policies, retirement accounts and home equity can create an estate that deserves careful planning.
Plan for tomorrow to take care of what matters most
No parent wants to think about worst-case scenarios. Still, making these decisions now can provide clarity and peace of mind later. A properly prepared will helps ensure your wishes guide important decisions instead of leaving those decisions to the probate process outlined by the California courts.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Can you modify custody arrangements due to parental alienation?]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475352026-06-17T13:55:56Z2026-06-17T13:55:38ZHow does California view parental alienation?
Parental alienation is considered a major issue in family courts. Judges evaluate custody matters based on the health, safety and welfare of the child. California law favors frequent and continuing contact with both parents. However, when one parent actively isolates a child or breeds hostility against the other, it violates this policy.
Courts may view this behavior as harmful to the child. This can be grounds to change the current custody agreement.
How do you prove the need for a modification?
To successfully change your custody order, you must show a significant change in circumstances. This requires documented evidence showing that the alienating behavior is harming the child.
It may be helpful to gather text messages, emails, call logs and school records that track a pattern of denied visits or hidden information. Statements from teachers, counselors or neutral third parties can also help prove to the court that the current environment is no longer stable or healthy for your child.
What other measures can the court take?
If the court finds that alienation is occurring, a judge has the authority to restructure the custody arrangement. The court can reduce the parenting time of the alienating parent or award you primary physical custody to ensure a safe environment. Judges may also order reunification therapy or family counseling to help repair the damaged bond.
Protecting your parental rights
Healing your relationship with your child is entirely possible. Taking action in court is a vital first step. By understanding your rights and the remedies available, you can help your child return to a stable, loving environment.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[3 problems that come with losing Temporary Protected Status]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475332026-06-15T15:18:00Z2026-06-15T15:18:00ZImmigration policies are changing every week in the USA. In this volatile environment, thousands of people are at risk of having their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminated. What are some challenges they may face if such a situation ever arises while staying in California?
Expiration of work permit
For those who hold a TPS-based Employment Authorization Document (EAD), the expiration of their TPS automatically triggers the expiration of their work permit. Consequently, affected individuals may lose their current jobs and their legal right to seek new employment anywhere in the United States.
Complications with driver's licenses
If someone loses their TPS, their driving privileges may be revoked because standard driving licenses are directly tied to legal immigration status. However, if one has an AB 60 driving license issued by California that is not linked to their immigration status, they can continue to use it. Nevertheless, federal agencies or other state government bodies may not accept an AB 60 license.
The risk of facing removal proceedings
One of the harshest situations one can face is leaving the country that gave them career opportunities, shelter and a livelihood. Unfortunately, this is a real risk for people losing TPS, especially if it was the only status that granted them a legal basis to remain in the U.S. Without it, individuals become vulnerable to deportation and removal proceedings.
What are some alternatives?
Losing TPS doesn’t always mean someone’s chapter in the USA has to end. They may use other legal paths, such as seeking asylum, a family-based green card or a U Visa to continue their stay in the USA. However, it can be quite a challenge to choose any legal path and take on the case alone. With an immigration attorney, those at risk of TPS termination can fight against deportation and evaluate their options.
]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Navigating estate planning with a blended family]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475322026-06-01T10:38:00Z2026-06-01T10:32:58ZAvoiding accidental disinheritance
While many parents think a simple will that leaves everything to their surviving spouse is a good enough solution, doing so can further complicate things. You might inadvertently disinherit your children from a previous marriage if your current spouse changes their mind or remarries after you pass.
Passing away without a proper estate plan can also lead to intestacy issues when an unequal division of assets occurs between your surviving family members. One way you can avoid this by setting up a Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) trust.
By doing so, you can ensure that your surviving spouse has a lifetime income while the principal is protected for your remaining beneficiaries. That amount is then distributed by the trustee to your children from a prior marriage under your original terms.
Choosing the right trustee
When deciding who to manage your QTIP trust, it may be best to select a sibling or trusted friend to maintain family harmony. You may also hire a professional fiduciary to act as a neutral third party who will follow trust distributions as you intended. A lawyer can help you review your options for creating a trust that fits your family structure.
When being proactive matters
Preparing a strong estate plan for a blended family is not just about asset distribution. It is also about providing peace of mind for those you leave behind. By taking the initiative to document your intentions today, you can ensure lasting support for your loved ones tomorrow.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Things to keep in mind about immigration during divorce]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475312026-05-22T18:21:26Z2026-05-22T18:21:26ZUnderstanding how an immigration status may be affected
The answer usually depends on several factors, such as where the individual is in the immigration process and their current immigration status. Because every marriage is different, many people find it helpful to stay organized and informed as the situation changes.
Steps that could help in protecting immigration status
When divorce happens in the middle of the immigration process, people might feel uncertain about what to do next. Delays, missing paperwork or misunderstandings about immigration requirements may create additional stress. So taking informed steps early on with an experienced immigration attorney might help protect their legal status and better prepare them for possible challenges. There are numerous important considerations to remember, including:
Divorce may change how long permanent residents must wait before applying for U.S. citizenship.
Keeping financial records, photos and joint property or lease documents may help show the marriage was genuine and entered in good faith.
Divorce may affect the ability to stay in the country if the visa depends on a spouse’s immigration status.
Divorce may affect a minor child’s immigration status, especially when one parent is a U.S. citizen and the other is not.
In some cases, individuals who experienced abuse from a spouse may still have certain options available.
In some cases, individuals may qualify for another visa or immigration option, and speaking with an attorney may help them better understand their next step.
Every immigration situation is different and getting divorced does not always mean a person will lose their legal status in the U.S. Staying informed, keeping important records and understanding the available options could may help one feel more prepared about the next steps.
Understanding the next steps
Divorce could impact the immigration process differently depending on the steps that have already been completed. Individuals may still have different immigration options to explore before the divorce or immigration process is finalized. Taking action early and understanding your available options can make a big difference in avoiding any mistakes that can negatively impact the future.]]>On Behalf of Goodrich & Cheung, LLP<![CDATA[Legal parentage in California: What unmarried couples should know]]>https://www.goodrichcheung.com/?p=475302026-05-07T15:53:04Z2026-05-07T15:53:04ZSigning a voluntary declaration
If both of you agree, you may be able to sign a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage, or VDOP. Many people sign this form at the hospital after a child is born, but you can also complete it later through authorized government agencies or a local child support office.
Once filed with the state, a VDOP has the same effect as a final court order that establishes legal parentage. Because of this, you should not sign it if you are unsure whether you or the other person is the child’s parent. If a parent changes their mind, they generally have 60 days to cancel the VDOP. After that, they need a court order to set it aside. Signing the form may also affect your right to ask for genetic testing or have a judge decide parentage later.
Asking the court to decide parentage
If you and the other parent do not agree, you may need to ask the court to decide recognition. This usually starts by filing a Petition to Determine Parental Relationship, Form FL-200. Through this case, the judge can decide who should be formally recognized as a parent.
The court may consider genetic testing if biological parentage is in question, but DNA is not always the only factor. California also recognizes that parentage is not always based on biology. In some cases, the state may name a person as a legal parent if they intended to parent a child conceived through assisted reproduction. Same-sex parents and parents who used assisted reproduction may need this type of review, depending on their circumstances.
Once the court confirms legal recognition, it can make orders for child custody, parenting time and child support. This can matter when one parent wants a formal schedule, needs support for the child or wants official recognition of their role.
Understanding your next step
If you are unsure whether to sign a VDOP or start a court case, legal guidance can help you understand your options before you move forward.]]>