‭(415) 523-7969‬

Resources

Free E-books

Download useful guides and resources in PDF format.

Download Free Guide

“He Said He’d Always Take Care of Me”

What Unmarried Couples Need to Know About Marvin Claims in California
Download Free Guide

Your Separate Property in a California Divorce

What Happens When You Contributed Separate Property to a Shared Asset

Our Blog

DVRO form in CA family law case
Does a California DVRO Give You a Criminal Record?
Dec 2, 2025

DVROs Are Civil, Not Criminal A Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) in California is issued in family law court, not criminal court. That means it’s a civil order, not a criminal conviction. Having a DVRO does not automatically give you a criminal record. Judges can grant these orders if they find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that abuse or threats occurred. This standard is far lower than in criminal court, which requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Although a

Read More
small wooden cutouts of parents with child and gavel in background
How Can a California DVRO Affect Child Custody?
Dec 2, 2025

DVROs and the Presumption Against Custody When a California court issues a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO), it can have a significant effect on child custody. Under California Family Code section 3044, there’s a legal presumption that giving custody—especially joint or sole legal or physical custody—to a parent who has committed domestic violence is not in the child’s best interest. This presumption applies if the abuse occurred within the past five years and includes physical harm, threats, stalking, or other

Read More
man in suit in handcuffs
Tips for Responding to False DVRO Claims
Dec 2, 2025

The stakes are high enough in family law cases that some people may be tempted to file exaggerated or even flat out false DVRO claims. The standard of proof governing DVRO cases is simply preponderance of the evidence – so 51% more likely than not. That’s a much easier standard of proof than in criminal cases, where the standard of proof is “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”  If you’re worried about false or exaggerated DVRO allegations, there are steps you

Read More
paperwork showing Domestic Violence Restraining Order and Civil Harassment Restraining Order
Differences Between Domestic Violence Restraining Order (“DVRO”) and Civil Harassment Restraining Order (“CHRO”) Trials in California
Dec 2, 2025

In California, both Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (CHROs) can lead to a court trial or “evidentiary hearing,” where each side presents their evidence and tells their side of the story. Although the process may look similar on the surface, the two types of hearings differ in important ways—mainly in the laws that apply, the level of proof required, and the kinds of evidence that matter most. A DVRO hearing is governed by the Family

Read More
folders showing DVRO and CHRO
What’s the Difference Between a California Domestic Violence Restraining Order (“DVRO”) and a Civil Harassment Restraining Order (“CHRO”)?
Dec 2, 2025

If you’re looking for legal protection from someone who’s threatening, harassing, or hurting you, California law offers a few different kinds of restraining orders. Two of the most common are Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (CHROs). The main difference between them is the relationship between you and the other person. A DVRO is for people who are or were in a close relationship—like a spouse, dating partner, family member, or someone you’ve lived with. A

Read More

Recent Posts