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Showing posts from October, 2016
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                                      Appeals Stemming From Bifurcated Issues              In family law proceedings, parties have the option of bifurcating pivotal issues for an early trial.   Said trial would occur before all of the other remaining issues (i.e. custody, support, visitation) are decided.   Bifurcated trials are similar to regular trials except for at least one major difference.  Property rulings made during a bifurcated trial are NOT automatically appealable.  Thus, if you are unhappy with the trial court's decision, one must generally wait until the remainder of the case is tried before appealing the issue.   Sometimes this can be a very costly and inefficient.  Fortunately, statutory authority provides an exception to this rule.               Courts have the discretion and authority to certify a bifurcated ruling for early appeal.   Family Code Section 2025   provides, “[I]f the court has ordered an issue or issues bifurcated for separate trial or hear