If you’re sitting in a California courtroom this week, things probably look a lot different than they did even two years ago. Honestly, the shift in how we handle california family law news today 2025 is massive. It isn't just about minor tweaks to paperwork. We are talking about a fundamental rewrite of how judges look at "safety," how your paycheck is sliced up for child support, and even how you pay your taxes after a split.
Laws changed. Fast.
If you're still relying on advice from a friend who got divorced in 2022, you're likely working with outdated info. The state has leaned hard into "coercive control" and digital safety, while the "DissoMaster" era of calculating support has hit a major wall. Let’s get into what’s actually happening on the ground in 2025.
The Death of the "Physical Violence Only" Standard
For a long time, if there wasn't a bruise, some judges found it hard to pivot on custody. That’s over. Under the latest updates to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), California has doubled down on "coercive control." This basically means that if an ex-partner is tracking your phone, controlling all the bank accounts, or isolating you from your family, the court now sees that as domestic violence.
It matters for custody. Big time.
There’s now a "rebuttable presumption" in California. If there’s a documented history of this kind of abuse, the court assumes—by default—that giving that parent custody is not in the child’s best interest. The abuser has to prove they’ve changed, rather than the victim proving why the other person is "unfit."
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We’re also seeing the rise of Wyland’s Law (AB 1363). It’s an automated system designed to keep protected people in the loop about their restraining orders. No more wondering if the paperwork actually made it to the sheriff’s department. Plus, if your ex is using a "smart home" device—like a Nest camera or a Ring doorbell—to harass you, the law now specifically classifies that as "disturbing the peace." You can actually get an order requiring an account manager to shut off their access within two business days.
Child Support: SB 343 and the $2,900 Threshold
If you’re talking about california family law news today 2025, you have to talk about SB 343. This is the first major overhaul of child support guidelines since 1992. Think about that. We were using 90s math for 2025 rent prices.
The "K-factor" (the math formula used to decide the percentage of income) was totally recalibrated.
- Low-Income Relief: The threshold for a "low-income adjustment" jumped to $2,900 of net disposable income. If you make around minimum wage, the old formula used to crush you. Now, there’s a built-in buffer so you can actually afford to live while supporting your kids.
- The Add-On Shift: Used to be that "add-ons"—like daycare or uninsured medical bills—were split 50/50. It didn't matter if one parent made $200k and the other made $40k. SB 343 changed that. Now, those costs are split proportionally based on income.
- The 90-Day Rule: You’ve got more time to ask for your money back. Parents now have 90 days (instead of 30) to submit receipts for reimbursement of those add-on costs.
One weird ripple effect? DissoMaster, the software every lawyer used for decades, stopped being the gold standard because it didn't renew its certification for these 2025 changes. Most courts have migrated to Xspouse. If your lawyer is still quoting DissoMaster numbers without the 2025 update, they're probably giving you the wrong child support figure.
Alimony’s New Tax Identity Crisis
Here’s where it gets kinda technical but super important for your wallet. For years, California was the "holdout" state. The feds (IRS) stopped letting people deduct alimony (spousal support) back in 2019, but California kept letting you deduct it on your state taxes.
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That ended with SB 711.
As of January 1, 2025, California has "conformed" to federal law. Basically, for any divorce agreement signed or modified after the start of 2025, the person paying alimony can no longer deduct it from their California taxes. And the person receiving it? They don't have to report it as income.
Wait. There’s a catch.
If your divorce was finalized before 2025, you’re generally "grandfathered" in. You keep your deduction. But if you go back to court to modify that old agreement in 2025 or 2026, you need to be extremely careful. Unless your lawyer specifically writes that the old tax rules still apply, you might accidentally trigger the new rules and lose that tax break. It’s a massive trap for the unwary.
The Digital Courtroom is Real Now
If you're in Los Angeles or Orange County, you've likely noticed you aren't driving to the courthouse as much. california family law news today 2025 is dominated by the "Digital Transformation" project.
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The L.A. Superior Court expanded its eService platform, meaning documents are served via email and portal rather than through the mail. It's faster, but it also means the "I didn't get the mail" excuse is dead. Courts are also increasingly using "Parenting Apps" like OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents as mandatory communication tools. Judges can now log in and read your texts to each other.
Honestly? It has made people act a lot better. When you know a judge might read your 2:00 AM rant, you tend to hit "delete" instead of "send."
What This Means for You Right Now
So, what do you actually do with all this? The "vibe" of California family law in 2025 is safety and transparency.
- Audit your tech: if you're in a high-conflict split, check your "smart home" permissions. The law now protects you from digital stalking, but you have to be the one to trigger the request to the device companies.
- Re-run the numbers: If you have a child support order from 2023 or earlier, the new SB 343 math might significantly change your payment—especially if you're on the lower end of the income scale or have high childcare costs.
- Don't DIY the tax clause: If you are modifying spousal support, do not use an old template. You need the specific SB 711 language to ensure you don't lose your tax deduction status.
- Focus on the "Best Interest" factors: Judges are now required to look at a child's "emotional well-being" and mental health more than ever. If you're fighting for custody, focus on stability and school performance rather than just "who has the bigger house."
The legal landscape has shifted toward a more "trauma-informed" approach. It's less about winning and more about mitigating the damage. If you're heading into mediation or a hearing, make sure your strategy reflects these 2025 realities, not the laws of five years ago.
Navigate these updates by consulting with a Certified Family Law Specialist who has already transitioned to Xspouse and is familiar with the new "coercive control" evidentiary standards. The era of the 50/50 default is still here, but the path to get there is now paved with much stricter rules on conduct and financial transparency.