CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Procedure Before Trial/Hearing
......Bifurcation
.........Status
8 Cards On This Topic:

Statutory authority and conditions for status bifurcation.

Court may retain jurisdiction to divide c/p after status judgment.

Court may retain jurisdiction over termination of marital status or order it terminated at a future specified date.

Procedures for bifurcating status.

Only slight evidence necessary to obtain bifurcation whereas compelling reasons are required for denial.

Family Law Act (now Family Code) specifically authorizes bifurcation of status from other issues.

Uncertain and speculative tax consequences not reason to deny bifurcation.

Where a bifurcated "status only" judgment reserves jurisdiction over all remaining issues, subsequent death of party does not deprive court of jurisdiction to resolve those issues.