Stories of messy divorces are familiar to many people. Even situations where both spouses are comfortable with the decision to divorce and have a desire to do so amicably can still be contentious. San Diego divorce lawyers with experience handling these situations can often help, though, as they recognize the patterns of how conflict can emerge and what may be able to prevent it.
California is one of the most expensive states in which to get divorced. On average, couples spend somewhere around $15,000 to $20,000 on their divorce if they do not have children. If the couple has children, the cost of divorce may increase by $5,000 to $10,000. These fees include things like filing fees to submit documents to the court, attorney fees, and other expenses. To receive a general estimate of how much your divorce might cost, contact a San Diego divorce lawyer.
It is a popular belief that mothers automatically receive custody of their children if the parents split, but this is not always the case. Who gets custody often depends on things like the couple’s marital status and each parent’s individual situation. To help improve your odds of receiving custody, contact a San Diego family law attorney.
Spousal support is essentially the court’s way of balancing out the difference in two spouse’s incomes when they divorce. This is to ensure that one spouse isn’t left in financial ruin as a result of a divorce or separation. While spousal support is a court-ordered agreement in California, the state does allow individuals the chance to request modifications to active orders. However, the spouse requesting a modification must prove they experienced a significant change in their life.
For example, the person ordered to pay spousal support could undergo a substantial financial hardship that prohibits their ability to pay spousal support, or the spouse receiving support may receive an increase in income and no longer need payments. These factors can contribute to necessitating a change to the spousal support order. There are, however, legal requirements that must be met in order for a modification to be approved.
Anyone involved in a divorce knows that it is a sensitive, emotional experience that can easily take a toll on you and your family. While sometimes separating spouses can be amicable, there are other cases where relationships have become so broken that no compromises can be made. If your spouse is refusing to cooperate, such as ignoring the divorce papers they were served, there are still options available for you.
In the event that one spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers or does not provide a response, the divorce can still proceed. A San Diego family law attorney can help you move forward with a default divorce today.
The concept of a no-fault divorce was adopted in 1970 in the state of California, becoming the first state in the United States to do so. This approach to divorce recognizes that marriages can end for a variety of reasons and allows couples to end their marriages without going through a contentious and lengthy legal process to prove fault.
No-fault divorce aims to reduce the adversarial nature of divorce proceedings by eliminating the requirement to assign blame. Major issues that often come up in divorce, such as child custody, division of property, and spousal support, are generally addressed without delving into the specific reasons behind the divorce. This makes way for a fair and logical life division without the intense drama of fault-based divorce.
Working through the challenging decision to start a divorce process can feel overwhelming. With so many details and considerations to navigate and prioritize, it can seem daunting to approach the realities of legal divorce. Many individuals hope to get the divorce process over and completed in a short timeline so they can start over and move on. While this is completely understandable, there are several factors out of an individual’s control when it comes to a divorce timeline.
After coming to the personal conclusion to pursue a divorce, it is necessary to begin the legal process as soon as possible to ensure you are not extending the timeline longer than necessary. While the first steps to divorce may seem obvious, it is helpful to take time to review what is locally required for divorce proceedings and ensure you are prepared. Gathering documents, consulting a divorce attorney, and engaging in personal support from family and friends is a great place to start.
Prenuptial agreements have a reputation for being exclusively useful for high-net-worth individuals and not of use or importance for “regular” couples, but this is not true. Taking time to identify the financial responsibilities and decisions within a marriage can ensure clear communication defining responsibilities, which often preserves the relationship from the financial stress of unaddressed matters.
With financial stress remaining a leading cause of American couples taking a step towards divorce, finding ways to establish financial understanding and delegation before the start of the marriage only sets you and your partner up for success. Prenuptial agreements can benefit every couple, not just high-earning individuals.
Marriage is more than an official union recognized by the government. It’s also a legal and financial partnership. It bears significant responsibility, including forfeiting some of the independent freedoms that will be shared between you and your new spouse. This is where prenuptial agreements come into play. If you’d like to create a prenuptial agreement, a California family lawyer can help.
Otherwise known as a “prenup,” these are official contracts agreed upon before marriage that outline how various financial affairs and assets will be dealt with in the event of a divorce. By better understanding the nature of these marriage contracts, soon-to-be newlyweds can better assess if a prenup is right for them.
A divorce can be one of the most challenging life experiences for anyone to face. The process can be riddled with difficult decisions and heated exchanges that test one’s emotional stability. For many newly divorced couples, leveraging mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method can offer an effective path to an amicable resolution. A California divorce mediation attorney can make the process much easier.
Mediation can save both parties significant time, money, and emotional distress. Below are some essential tips to help ensure your mediation sessions are putting you on a path to success.
San Diego Divorce Attorneys Blog