Love Court Off the Record

Dueling Appraisals: What Happens When the House Values Don’t Match?

“My ex husband and I are in the middle of a divorce and we both got appraisals on the house. His came in at $520,000 and mine came in at $615,000. That’s a huge difference. He wants to use his appraisal because it’s lower and says mine is ‘inflated. I feel like he’s trying to undervalue the house so he can buy me out cheaper" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson addresses a listener’s frustration over conflicting home appraisals during a divorce. One spouse’s appraisal values the house at $520,000, while the other comes in much higher at $615,000—creating a major disagreement about the home’s true value and the potential buyout amount. Jessica explains how courts typically handle dueling appraisals, why different appraisers can arrive at very different numbers, and what options exist when spouses cannot agree on the value of the marital home. She also discusses common solutions such as averaging the appraisals, hiring a neutral third appraiser, or having the court decide which valuation is more reliable based on the evidence presented.  Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Out-of-State Custody Orders: Do We Modify in California or Nevada?

“I got divorced in California five years ago, but now both of us and our kids live in Nevada full-time. The custody order is still from California. If we want to modify custody or parenting time, do we file in California or Nevada? And do we have to transfer the case somehow?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson answers a listener’s question about modifying a custody order that was issued in another state. After divorcing in California five years ago, both parents and their children now live full-time in Nevada—but the original custody order is still from the California court. Jessica explains how courts determine which state has jurisdiction to modify custody orders, including how laws governing interstate custody cases work when families relocate. She also discusses the process of transferring or registering an out-of-state order in Nevada and what parents should know before filing a request to modify custody or parenting time. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Summer Vacation Standoff: Who Gets First Choice?

“My ex and I both want the exact same summer vacation weeks with the kids this year. Our parenting plan just says we each get two weeks of summer, but it doesn’t say who gets to choose first. We’re now at a total standstill and the kids are stuck in the middle. How do courts usually handle this when both parents want the same dates?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson tackles a common co-parenting conflict: competing summer vacation plans. When a parenting plan allows each parent two weeks of summer time but doesn’t specify who gets to choose dates first, disagreements can quickly turn into a stalemate. Jessica explains how courts typically approach these disputes and the practical solutions judges often encourage—such as alternating priority each year, setting advance notice deadlines, or creating a clear scheduling system to prevent future conflicts. She also discusses why resolving these issues early helps keep the focus where it belongs: minimizing stress for the kids and maintaining cooperative co-parenting. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Step-Parent Rights: Does My New Spouse Have Any Authority With My Kids?

“I remarried three years ago, and my husband has been helping raise my kids every day — he goes to school events, drives them to practice, and helps with discipline. Their biological father says my husband has no right to be involved in parenting decisions and that it should only be between us as the biological parents. Legally, does my husband have any authority over my kids without adopting them?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson answers a listener’s question about the role of a step-parent in a blended family. After remarrying, the listener’s husband has become deeply involved in the children’s daily lives—helping with school, activities, and discipline—but the children’s biological father insists the step-dad has no legal say in parenting decisions. Jessica explains how the law generally views step-parents and parental authority, including what responsibilities they can take on in day-to-day parenting and where legal decision-making power typically remains with the biological or legal parents. She also discusses situations where a step-parent may gain more formal authority—such as through guardianship or adoption—and how families can navigate these boundaries while maintaining stability for the children. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Secret Credit Card Debt: Am I Responsible in Divorce?

“I just found out my spouse opened a credit card behind my back and ran up almost $15,000 in charges. We’re now divorcing, and he says because we were married when he made the charges, I’m on the hook for half. Am I legally responsible for that debt even though I didn’t know about it?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson addresses a listener’s concern about hidden debt during a marriage. After discovering that their spouse secretly opened a credit card and accumulated nearly $15,000 in charges, the listener is now being told they are responsible for half of the balance because the debt was incurred during the marriage. Jessica explains how courts typically evaluate marital debt, including whether both spouses benefited from the charges, when the debt was incurred, and whether one spouse acted irresponsibly or without the other’s knowledge. She also discusses how judges may divide financial obligations in divorce and when a spouse might be able to argue that certain debts should not be shared equally. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]