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An unpublished opinion out of Marin County gives us a nice refresher on characterization of a second mortgage taken against a spouse’s separate real property. Vincent owned a home in Petaluma.  It was his separate property because he owned it before his marriage to Michelle. During marriage the parties took out a second mortgage with …

Jeanne and Michael were planning their nuptials.  There was only one problem.  Jeanne had a child (not Michael’s) that was a ward of the State.  Jeanne and Michael were worried that once they were married the State might try to go after Michael’s assets for reimbursement of costs for the child. Michael and Jeanne paid …

Jay founded Alacer in 1972.  He married Ymelda in 1988.  Jay transferred all of his Alacer stock into a trust in 2000.  The parties started their divorce in 2001.  Jay died in 2003.  The case has been working its way throught the courts for ten years, and includes many related actions.  Eventually the trustees of …