Moradi Neufer Family Law Attorneys

06/04/2026

Recognition is most meaningful when it reflects the values that drive great leadership: integrity, advocacy, and impact.

We're proud to announce that Kiana Moradi, Managing Partner at Moradi Neufer, has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of its 2026 Women of Influence.

This honor reflects her dedication to advancing the practice of family law, delivering exceptional client service, and leading with purpose.

Congratulations, Kiana, on this outstanding achievement!

06/03/2026

When you’re weighing an open or a closed adoption in California, it helps to know what each path can actually offer your family and what each one will ask of you in return.

For example, an open adoption can offer…

– A better sense of where your child came from, if they wish to know

– Access to important medical history for healthcare purposes

– Connections with extended biological relatives, when appropriate

– Reassurance for birth parents that their child is safe and cared for

The trade-off? Open adoption calls for emotional energy and effort over many years, and either family’s circumstances may change in unpredictable ways.

Meanwhile, a closed adoption can offer…

– Complete privacy for both families with no risk of unexpected contact

– A clean emotional boundary that helps everyone move forward

– Freedom from the effort of maintaining long-term relationships

– Protection if the birth family’s circumstances pose a real risk to your child

The trade-off is that your child may grow up with unanswered questions about their origins, and you may not have access to important medical information about them.

Fortunately, California offers semi-open adoptions and Post-Adoption Contact Agreements, which give you the freedom to create a contact arrangement that works for your family.

Read more about which type of adoption may be right for you on our blog.

Blog link: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/blog/open-vs-closed-adoptions-in-california-which-path-is-best-for-your-family/

Learn the differences between open, semi-open, and closed adoption in California. Explore PACAs, legal rights, benefits, and key factors to help choose the best adoption path for your family.

06/01/2026

Complex equity compensation cases require more than technical knowledge alone. In this full-day PCI at the 2026 CP Cal Annual Conference, collaborative divorce attorney Patricia Van Haren (partner – Moradi Neufer) joins Ashley Andrews (collaborative divorce attorney), Shane Reed (neutral financial specialist) and Dr. Carol Hughes (renowned collaborative mental health professional) to explore how interdisciplinary teams navigate complex stock options, RSUs, and other equity compensation matters with both technical precision and family-focused resolution in mind. Through interactive case studies, team-based practice, and practical tools, attendees will gain strategies for creating more informed, balanced, and family-focused resolutions.

Register now:
https://cpcal.regfox.com/cp-cal-annual-conference-2026

05/27/2026

It’s springtime, the kids are buzzing about the summer road trip you’ve been planning for weeks… and you just remembered you’re in the middle of a divorce.

You text your soon-to-be-ex about the trip, and their immediate answer is “no.”

Suddenly, your plans are all up in the air. Do you really need your co-parent's permission to go on vacation with your kids?

The answer depends on any custody orders you have in place, plus the Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders (ATROs) that come into effect as soon as a divorce petition is filed.

The good news is that a “no” from your co-parent doesn’t automatically mean a “no” for your trip.

California family courts hear travel requests all the time, and judges are used to deciding them on short notice when school breaks or holidays are approaching.

A well-prepared Request for Order usually includes a detailed itinerary and a transparent communication plan with the other parent, which your attorney can help you draft properly.

You don’t have to give up on your family vacation just because your divorce is in motion. Read more on our blog about how to approach travel-related issues during and after a divorce.

Blog link: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/blog/planning-a-trip-or-vacation-traveling-with-kids-during-and-after-divorce-in-california/

Can your co-parent stop you from taking the kids on vacation? Discover the strict rules governing out-of-state and international travel during a California divorce.

05/26/2026

Planning a divorce before tax season gives you a chance to be strategic. Here are a few points worth considering to help avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

• 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆.
Filing jointly or separately can change your tax bill and your refund. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and rushing this decision can be expensive.

• 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿.
Support payments affect cash flow differently once taxes are factored in. What looks fair on paper doesn’t always feel fair after taxes are settled.

• 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱.
Selling or transferring property, investments, or retirement accounts at the wrong time can trigger taxes that didn’t need to happen.

• 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸.
They often tell a clearer story about income and spending than estimates or summaries do.

• 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.
Once an agreement is signed, many tax outcomes can’t be changed. A little planning upfront can prevent long-term regret.

In divorce, the biggest tax mistakes are usually quiet, and permanent. Planning early helps keep more of what’s yours.

Explore how early tax planning may help you avoid costly financial surprises during divorce. Visit our website to learn more https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/

05/21/2026

If you’re going through a divorce in California, the outcome of your case may depend on more than just your attorney.

When a divorce involves a family business, hidden income, contested custody, or property that’s difficult to value, California judges bring in professionals called expert witnesses.

A forensic accountant might trace income that your spouse isn’t reporting.

A child custody evaluator might file recommendations that shape your parenting plan.

A vocational evaluator can establish a fair earning capacity for calculating child support and alimony payments.

While judges don’t have to accept every expert’s opinion, a highly qualified professional with a well-prepared and thought-out testimony can have a significant impact on your case.

Read more on our blog about how to identify the right professionals you need and protect what matters the most to you in a divorce.

Blog link: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/blog/how-expert-witnesses-shape-california-divorces/

Learn how expert witnesses influence California divorce cases involving child custody, business valuation, hidden assets, support disputes, and complex property division.

05/18/2026

When it comes to child support, the right lawyer can make a meaningful difference. In Newport Beach, support cases often involve complex income, changing family needs, and long-term planning, making expert guidance essential to secure your child’s future.

*𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
A lawyer reviews all income sources, not just salary; so support is based on the true financial picture.

*𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Guideline calculations are done properly, helping avoid unfair payment amounts or rejected agreements.

*𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
Accurate time-share documentation ensures support reflects the real custody schedule.

*𝗘𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Complete and correct paperwork helps avoid delays, penalties, or unfavorable default decisions.

*𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Experienced legal representation helps present financial and parenting facts clearly to the judge.

*𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽
Legal guidance ensures support orders meet court requirements and don’t need to be redone later.

*𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Attorneys help prove income or life changes so support adjustments are more likely to be approved.

*𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Legal action can secure faster payment through tools like wage withholding and court enforcement.

*𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆
Lawyers help collect unpaid support and enforce repayment through available legal remedies.

At Moradi Neufer, we’ve guided thousands of LA families through child support issues, and we’re ready to guide you too. Learn more: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/los-angeles-child-support-attorney/

05/13/2026

If you’re considering adoption, it’s important to be on the right page when it comes to your rights as a birth parent or adoptive parent.

As a birth parent:

– Can you change your mind after giving consent?

– Will you still have contact with your child?

As an adoptive parent:

– When do your parental rights become permanent?

– What are your rights before and after an adoption is finalized?

In California, adoption creates a permanent legal transition of rights and responsibilities.

Read more on our blog and get answers to your questions about birth parent rights, adoptive parent rights, post-adoption contact agreements, and consent rules: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/blog/what-legal-rights-do-you-have-as-an-adoptive-or-birth-parent-in-california/

At Moradi Neufer, we work closely with birth parents and adoptive families throughout California to protect their rights at every stage of the process.

05/12/2026

Moradi Neufer celebrates Toriana Holmes’ first year with the firm, recognizing the experience and perspective she brings. With over 12 years in practice, she approaches family law matters with clarity and a steady hand.

Her work covers divorce, custody and support, asset division and spousal support. She also supports clients through mediation and collaborative law, offering more private paths to resolution.

Her commitment to this field was shaped during her time serving on the Board of Directors at CORA, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, and continues through her work with the San Francisco Superior Court.

A Super Lawyer from 2024 to 2026 and a Rising Star before that, Toriana brings both sound judgment and a client-focused approach. We value her contribution and look forward to the years ahead. Know more about her: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/meet-the-team/toriana-holmes/

05/11/2026

When it comes to custody, the court looks beyond appearances.
What matters is your child’s safety, stability, and well-being, not assumptions.

If something feels wrong, it’s worth paying attention, and taking the right legal steps.
Your child’s safety isn’t something to guess about. Understand what the court actually considers.

Read now: https://californiafamilylawgroup.com/blog/ensuring-your-childs-safety-what-counts-as-an-unfit-home-in-a-california-custody-battle/