NEW CARDS TO ADD TO CFLS EXAM Flashcards
Bankruptcy - Types and Results
Ch 7 - discharge
Ch 13 - payment plan
Bankruptcy - Automatic Stay
- describe
- excs
Enjoins all actions against the debt until discharged; EXC – doesn’t stop or preclude paternity, enf of “dom support obligation,” visitation, disso (all but property), withholding of incomes for domestic support order
Bankruptcy - Property of Estate
All legal and equitable interests of the debtor in property, including their spouse that is under their sole or equal/joint management or control. Property given to “trustee” appointed by Ct to be liquidated to pay debts, etc.
Bankruptcy - Domestic Support Obligation
debt (+int) owed to spouse/former/C in form of support order (CS, SS, other)
o Look @ the purpose of the obligation in light of circumstances at time made
o Can include attys fees and expert fees if incurred in litigating support
REQUIREMENTS: written and not assigned to a gov agency for collection
TREATMENT: high priority when liquidated assets distributed by trustee
o ∆ file a proof of claim in a timely manner
• DISCHARGE? Not under Ch. 7, special issues with Ch 13 bankruptcy
Bankruptcy - Asset Exemptions
- explain
- CA tx of alimony?
Certain assets can be made exempt from bankruptcy proceeding, such that they do not become “property of the estate”. What is exempt is up each state.
CA state law provides alimony, support, separate maintenance as “reasonable necessary for the support of debtor” or their C is exempt.
Bankruptcy - Trustee Powers
- Liquidate assets, pay debts
- Avoid or unwind pre-petition payments
o “preference pymt” = made w/in 90 days of filing while the debtor was insolvent; up to 1 year if transfer to insider; can get judgment against creditor who got the $ (EXC: DSO ≠ preferential payment) - Reverse fraudulent conveyance
Bankruptcy - Preferential Payment
“preference pymt” = made w/in 90 days of filing while the debtor was insolvent; up to 1 year if transfer to insider; can get judgment against creditor who got the $ (EXC: DSO ≠ preferential payment)
Bankruptcy - Fraudulent conveyance
- definition
- MSA and FC
Defined: transfers of property done with intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors; transfers where there is inadequate compensation
Can result in denial of Ch 7 bankruptcy discharge
MSA can be a FC if done with intention to hinder, delay or defraud creditors
Bankruptcy - Chapter 13 Issues
- who can get one?
- what is it?
- DSO treatment
- Only individuals with certain amount of debt, discharge upon completion
- Get payment plan, pay to trustee who pays debtors
Ch 13 and DSOs
o plan ≠ approved if debtor is delinquent on a DSO that is payable after petition date; MUST be current to be confirmation of the plan by B Ct.
o Must pay in full the DSO, waivable by creditor
o Discharge given only if current on his/her post-petition DSOs
• Can discharge non-DSO family law obligations
Bankruptcy - Chapter 13 and DSOs
Ch 13 and DSOs
o plan ≠ approved if debtor is delinquent on a DSO that is payable after petition date; MUST be current to be confirmation of the plan by B Ct.
o Must pay in full the DSO, waivable by creditor
o Discharge given only if current on his/her post-petition DSOs
• Can discharge non-DSO family law obligations
Contempt
- what kind of proceeding is it?
FL Contempt – Criminal proceeding but JC forms can be altered to seek civil only; crim standards and rights and laws apply, must inform of rights, waiver in writing
o Civil – contemner can end sentence by doing what previously refused to do
o Criminal – cannot undo or remedy or shorten the term w/ promise to not do
Contempt
- what is enforceable pursuant to contempt?
any order commanding conduct – like non-support and non-atty fee contempts, newer support and atty fees contempt, family support orders, spousal support and visitation orders, discovery orders, impugning ct integrity
o SS orders – can annul contempt if able to show inability to comply
o Visitation - >14 yo hard to force (Coursey v. Sup Ct), no help with < 14 yos
o CS/Family Support orders – enforced the same under FC 4501
o Felony to remove C and hide them
o In-kind division of property (rather than equalizing payment) = contemptable
o Atty fees if related to CS/SS = ok; if arises out of K/MSA ≠ contempt
Contempt
- elements
(1) existence of a lawful order
(2) knowledge of order [questions about whether order must be written or not]
(3) ability to comply with the order [assumed w/ recent order; affirmative defense]
(4) willful disobedience of the order [free will of ∆, not necessarily “evil intent’]
Contempt
- Statute of Limitations
CS, SS, FS – 3 years EXC CS collectable for up to 10 years; All other cases – 2 years
Contempt
- service of motion
- what if P is receiving welfare
Personal service upon citee, ≠ atty [unless P concealing self]; NAR is okay
If P receiving welfare, notice must be given to DA’s office of contempt
Contempt
- amendment of pleadings
Amend pleadings @ any time EXC if →prejudice; give early notice; may wish to consider seeking or agreeing to a continuance if amendment comes near the time of the hearing
Contempt
- proceedings
- what should be done
- rights?
Criminal ∆ arraignment required – rights, charges, burden of proof, etc.
- Advise rights: counsel, silence, speedy trial, stay of criminal proceedings, subpoena power, BOP (beyond a reasonable doubt), deportation possibility, cannot be called as an adverse witness, possibility of needing to reimb co if found guilty.
- 5A able to be triggered EXC if Pet makes it a civil contempt (then not 5A)
Contempt
- right to jury trial?
Yes, if potential punishment is 180+ days; some think anytime jail is possible
• CCP1209 – up to 5 days/ct AND/OR $1k per count fine; EXC: 3rd contempt = 10 days
• Multiple counts can → jury trial (36+ counts or state on pleadings “civil” contempt or don’t want to seek jail time of 180+ days)
Contempt
- potential punishment
CCP1209 – up to 5 days/ct AND/OR $1k per count fine; EXC: 3rd contempt = 10 days
Contempt
- defenses
- mitigating factors
- non-defenses
Defenses:
o Ct can dismiss on own motion – request @ arraignment, @ beginning of hrg
o Discharge of invalid orders
• Must be clear so that a reas person of common intelligence knows what to do; Cannot be “don’t disparage” vague orders
o Paternity – DA + unrep’d P agreement is voidable if not advised of rts to trial and, if they had known re rights, they would not have executed the agreement
o Double Jeopardy – failure to pay on diff dates may be okay despite double jeopardy if able to show that able to pay on dates subsequent
Not Defenses
o Double jeopardy when able to pay later
o Offsets due to citee
Mitigating Factors/Arguments
o Unemp in SS (not in CS) EXC willful refusal to be employed / underperf.
o Credits due for retirement, disability payment directly to claimant (unless pymt were taken into consideration when making the underlying order)
Contempt
- considerations re: contempt orders
- People present boxes checked → presumption present and knew order for contempt
- CS cannot be contemptable unless written order, even if a detailed minute order
- Order must state affirmative action [someone must do something]
Contempt
- appeal v. writ
- standard of review
Writ of Habeus Corpus or Certioriari ONLY!
Not appealable as adjudication is fine and conclusive
Standard of Review = did court exceed its jx? If yes, sent back. Otherwise, upheld
o TC should make finding with particularity and specificity for review purposes
Contempt
- what do you do if someone violates their probation?
If P fails to comply with probation – file new RFO re contempt + file RFO to have probation revoked + ask both be heard concurrently; Revocation = jail time
Contempt
- penalties for contempt
- stay of execution of contempt?
1st Offense – 120 hours OR prison time / count
2nd Offense – 120 hours + prison time / count
3rd Offense – 240 hours + 240 hours prison / count
• Sentences may be concurrent or consecutive
Civil – incarceration can be forever (EXC where court finds ongoing jail is futile)
3 day stay for any atty contempt orders (to file a writ; cannot file an appeal)
Contempt
- tips for representing moving party
Tips for Representing MOVING party
Don’t let counts accumulate, promptly file, clear up ambiguities early, number each count, identify civ/crim, subpoena bank records, etc.
Contempt
- tips for representing citee
Tips for Representing Citee
Make motion to dismiss, always ask for jury trial, be wary of stips, consider a wage assignment, affirmative defs (but testifying will be needed), when OP rests, make a 1118 motion and then call them as W
Custody to Non-P
OK if C has been living in a “wholesome and stable” environment, person giving adequate and proper guidance may be able to get custody (FC 3040(a)(2)); stability, continuity, BIC, access to ongoing medical treatment from guardian, etc.
Findings needed to give Custody to Non-Parent
Findings Needed w/ BOP (C+C evidence)
o Detriment to C to be removed from wholesome and stable envir; AND
o BIC is met by placement with non-P
Upon showing of above, BOP shifts to P to show facts otherwise, based upon the preponderance of the evidence.
• REMEMBER ICWA if P is an Indian in a federally recognized tribe
Standards for Terminating Guardianship
Guardianship of Kassandra H
o whether or not the need for guardianship has ended AND
o demonstrated parental fitness to resume custody of the C.
De Facto Parent Status
5.502
person who assumes parental role on day-to-day basis for long time and fulfills C’s px and psychological needs; bonded, unique info re kids and acting as a caregiver
o Access or right to visitation with C ≠ give you de factor parent status
NonParent Visitation
- types (list)
- stepP
- GP (Ps alive v. Ps dead)
- SS couple
- prior guardian
Step Parent Visitation
o order cannot conflict with Ps visitation/timeshare
o defer to parental concerns (special wt given)
o preponderance of the evidence
Grandparent Visitation
Two ways to look @ - (1) GP visits when Ps alive, v. (2) GP visits when Ps dead
GP visitation with P’s alive
GP visits when Ps alive
• Find: Preexisting GP-C relationship
• GPs get visits if in BIC but if Ps disagree, GPs have a rebuttable presumption, but visits cannot conflict with rights of birth Ps not a party to the action
• No visits if Ps married EXC Ps living sep on perm basis, 1 P is absent 1+ months, C doesn’t live with either P, C has been adopted by step-P
• GP termination of Parental Rights? Possible but not where 1P is living w/ the GP; GP couldn’t claim de facto status b/c 1 P was living w/ GP
GP visitation with P’s dead
- Qualifying relationship needed and must consider nature and extent of the visits before application
- Surviving P can thwart request by chiming in as to thoughts on BIC, especially those of a fit parent
- Adoption by someone other than StepP or GP terminates visits
No GP visitation if Ps alive and married EXC ….
Ps living sep on perm basis, 1 P is absent 1+ months, C doesn’t live with either P, C has been adopted by step-P
Parentage Proceeding - JX
- sex in state
- assisted reproduction in state
Parentage Proceeding - Venue
- C in Co or is found there
- adoption agency located in Co.
- Co where probate proceeding held
Time to Bring Parentage Proceeding?
o ANY TIME to ESTABLISH a relationship on marital parentage presumption or putative marriage presumption
o WITHIN REAS TIME to establish NON-EXISTENCE of relationship under presumptions. Generally 2 years if F think not the father of C
SSC + Parentage
SS couples: paternity OK where holds C out as own (“presumptive parent”) ; If a PRESUMPTIVE PARENT – C+C evidence needed to divest parental rights
Parentage + Name Changes
Judgment can require name change for C (consider time using name, effect on relationship, ID of C based upon name, BIC in changing it)
Parentage + Blood Testing
BLOOD TESTS - w/in 2 years of trying to disprove) ct can order upon motion of any party or its own motion; refusal to test is admissible fact against P; rt to privacy ∆ can choose own testing expert
Paternity and Vol Dec of Paternity
Effect of entry of judgment of paternity; can set aside within 60 days and results in conclusive presumption of paternity, suff for c/v/support orders
• Conflict between VDOP and presumptive P – weigh issues
• DVPA – get Judgment under DV-190 for unM’d parties
Presumptions of Paternity
Marital Parentage Presumption – H+W, born during M or w/in 300 days of M terminated → conclusively presumed C of M
• Genetic material used post-mortem ≠ presumption where not born within 300 days and no consent to use of genetic material was given
Putative Marriage Presumption - M-F make colorable attempt, C born during attempted M or w/in 300 days → conclusively presumed C of putative M
• Applied to SS F-F couples – presume non-bio M = parent. Elisa B.
Not Presumptions of Paternity
C of rape
C product of statutory rape (F>21; M<15) and F is convicted of statutory rape
Conflicts in Paternity Presumptions?
Ct must weigh conflicts and use common sense approach and arrive at 2 parents; laws might change.
Biological presumption ≠ always trump presume parentage presumption
Post-mortem Paternity issues
Use of frozen semen ≠ parentage presumption where not born w/in 300 days of death + no consent to use sperm
C must show by C+C evidence held out by deceased F as C to get parentage and money; evidence must be SO clear as to not leave substantial doubt
Setting Aside Paternity Judgments
2 years required for filing, including proper information as to why previously determined to be F but it was in wrong. Set Aside can be denied if not in BIC (relationship with C – possible denial)
Work Product Privilege Protects?
protects any writing that reflect atty impressions, conclusions, opinions, legal research or theories and is ∆ not discoverable in any circumstance. Rationale: protect trial preparation and allow it to be thorough.
o Atty Writings
o Witness statements obtained through atty-directed interview
What can you get through discovery?
anything reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evi.” Which are relevant to subject matter, fishing is okay, can get contentions outlined and docs to support.
Types of Discovery
ROGS, DEPOS, RFAS, PRODUCTION, EXAMINATION, EXPERT EXCHANGE
Interrogatories
- types
- response
- objections and non-objections
Form, Special
Response due in 30 days or objections waived, must be verified (unverified are admissions, but not considered a response per se); may be amended but prior version okay for impeachment.
Objections: Priv (WPP or privacy), exceeds permissible scope, seeks contents of documents, info equally available, over 35, oppressive, improper form.
• Not Obj: HS, opinion, asked/answers, assumed facts not in evi., fishing, compound, unintelligible, confidential, burdensome, “IDK”
Depositions
- notice requirements
- deposition rules
- obtaining documents
- obtaining medical records
- obtaining consumer records
Notice or subpoena – 10 days notice but cannot be w/in 20 days of lit start; Notice must include intention to audio, video or instant display depo
• 20 days notice to get consumer protected records or appear w/ docs
• Objs to notice waived if not raised @ least 3 days before
1 depo only w/o leave of court; 7 hour limit unless expert
Private Docs – in camera review of new spouse’s income is okay, not providing other firm partner’s financial records is okay (right to privacy)
• TC has broad discretion to balance privacy v. need for information and give safeguards to protect confidential docs disclosed.
Medical records – privileged, not waived by denial of med problems.
• Priv balanced – Need for Info v. Privilege IRMO Carney
Consumer Recs = health care, financial inst., atty, insurers, accountants, edu.
• Notice to consumer @ least 10 days before return date on SDT
• Mtn to Quash precludes disclosure of docs until ruling made
Requests for Admissions
- what do you get
- how many can you ask?
- what should accompany and why?
- responses
Get YES/NO re: facts, docs, opinions, application of law
No more than 35 EXC if you do a dec re necessity
Do w/ docs or Interrogatories
• ROGs will say “If your answer to RFA #X is anything other than an unequivocal NO, please ID each fact, person, doc that supports that fact.” Then demand for production will say “Give all documents in RFA #X.”
Response: ask for protective order, partially admit, deny, must try to answer
• Failure of timely response – waives objections
• Admitted matters = conclusively established
• Wrong deny something can → fees
Demand for Inspection/Copying of Documents
- response
- M&C requirement
- MTC
Demand, not a Request
Response under oath and may deliver as kept “in ordering course”
• Must make diligent and reas. Inquiry
• Magic language: “Never existed,” “destroyed/lost/stolen,” “never or not now in possession,” + list who might have.
o No response → No M+C requirement
o Further response Mtn – w/in 45 days, M+C required, sep stmt required
PX/Mental Examinations
Seek by motion based on showing of good cause w/ specific facts
Examinee’s atty and report may be present, okay audio rec mental exam
Kinds include:
• Vocational Evaluator – FC 4331
• CCE, Paternity DNA tests, drug tests [based upon HHS protocols]
Motion to Compel
- grounds
- fees
• Grounds for MTC - inadequate or missing responses, objections based upon privilege, oppression or available to others;
o fees generally awarded to prevailing P; sanctions for willful misbehavior
o Filed where the action is filed, not where the W is located
What is “EVIDENCE?”
EVI = TESTIMONY; TESTIMONY = SWORN STATEMENT
o Atty statements, opening, closing ≠ testimony ∆ not evidence
Marital Privileges
Spousal Privilege AND Confidential Marital Communication
• Spousal P = cannot be called v current spouse unless def-spouse agreed
• CMC P = cannot be called to testify about stmts made during M
Suspended – (1) actions btw spouses, (2) actions btw former spouses to set support or if property/debts not adjudicated; Demanding P cannot claim privileges themselves (they waive them)
Common HS exceptions
- Admission of P
- Dec against Int
- Prior Inconsistent Stmt
- Prior Consistent Stmt
- Past Recollection Recorded
- Business Record
- Former Testimony
- Family Hx
- Character Reputation