California Legal Information
Made Simple

Free guides, calculators, and AI-powered help for California family law, landlord-tenant issues, estate planning, and more.

Free California Legal Tools

Latest Guides

Recent California Cases

Real cases from California courts — see how the law applies in practice and what these rulings mean for you.

Child Support California Court of Appeal, 4th District · January 16, 2026

Reasin v. Reasin (In re Susan D.)

Case Summary

A divorce judgment ordered $1,750/month in child support for three children with no allocation between them. When each child reached adulthood, the father unilaterally reduced payments. The Court of Appeal ruled that retroactively allocating the lump sum among children after one ages out is not a prohibited retroactive modification — it is simply calculating arrears after a support obligation has legally terminated.

Key Takeaway

California courts can allocate a lump-sum child support order among multiple children retroactively when one child emancipates, without running afoul of the ban on retroactive modifications.

🤖

Ask AI Assistant

This case raises complex legal questions. Instead of spending hours reading legal documents, ask our AI assistant to explain how this ruling might apply to your situation:

"Under Reasin v. Reasin, can a court allocate child support arrears among children after one turns 18?"

Ask this question now
Landlord-Tenant California Court of Appeal, 2nd District · June 26, 2025

Eshagian v. Cepeda

Case Summary

A landlord served a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit that had three defects: it didn't clearly state the tenant would lose possession if rent wasn't paid, it didn't specify when the notice period began or ended, and it listed the tenant's own residence as the payment address. The Court of Appeal held the notice was invalid under CCP § 1161(2), and the default judgment for eviction could not stand.

Key Takeaway

Eviction notices in California must strictly comply with all technical requirements — even a small error can invalidate the entire eviction.

🤖

Ask AI Assistant

This case raises complex legal questions. Instead of spending hours reading legal documents, ask our AI assistant to explain how this ruling might apply to your situation:

"What are the requirements for a valid 3-day notice to pay rent or quit in California?"

Ask this question now
Divorce & Spousal Support California Court of Appeal, 4th District · September 16, 2025

In re Marriage of Carter

Case Summary

In this long-running divorce case (the fourth appeal), the court addressed how to calculate additional child support based on stock option income from a corporate merger. The trial court chose one accounting method for past arrears and another going forward to avoid a windfall. The Court of Appeal also denied modification of spousal support, reinforcing the limits on modifying support after judgment.

Key Takeaway

Stock options and other complex assets require careful accounting in California support calculations — the method used can significantly change the support amount.

🤖

Ask AI Assistant

This case raises complex legal questions. Instead of spending hours reading legal documents, ask our AI assistant to explain how this ruling might apply to your situation:

"How are stock options treated for child and spousal support in California?"

Ask this question now
Tenant Rights / Rent Control California Court of Appeal · April 17, 2026

Western Manufactured Housing Communities Ass'n v. City of Santa Rosa

Case Summary

During a state of emergency, Penal Code § 396 caps rent increases at 10%. This case confirmed that the cap applies to rent-controlled spaces and refers to the amount authorized under local rent control at the time the emergency was declared. Importantly, landlords cannot "recoup" suppressed rent increases after the emergency ends.

Key Takeaway

Rent increase caps during emergencies are permanent limits — landlords cannot later make up for increases they couldn't impose during the emergency period.

🤖

Ask AI Assistant

This case raises complex legal questions. Instead of spending hours reading legal documents, ask our AI assistant to explain how this ruling might apply to your situation:

"Can a California landlord recoup rent increases that were capped during a state of emergency?"

Ask this question now

California law changes constantly through new court rulings. Stay informed and get personalized answers.

Ask the AI Legal Assistant

Have a Legal Question?

Ask our AI assistant about California law. Get answers based on current California codes and guidelines.

Ask Your Question Now

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed. You should consult with a licensed attorney in California for advice regarding your individual legal situation. We make no representations about the accuracy or completeness of the information on this site. Your use of this website or its tools does not create an attorney-client relationship.