What Does a San Diego Divorce Lawyer Do?

If you’re going to be going through a divorce, you probably have many questions and concerns. One of those is likely the realization that you will need a lawyer to help you through the process. However, in evaluating who you would like to represent you, it’s important to understand what a San Diego divorce lawyer does. You should know what to expect from them as you consider who to hire.

What Does a San Diego Divorce Lawyer Do?

There are several critical functions that you will be able to count on your lawyer to help you with.

Guiding You Through the Process

Divorce is a complicated process, but your lawyer can make sure that you are informed about where things stand with your divorce and what the next steps will be. Additionally, a critical part of their guidance is explaining what is reasonable to expect from the process. Setting expectations this way can often be helpful to managing the stress of the divorce.

Filling Out Paperwork

From filing papers to responding, being served, filling out financial disclosures, and completing a separation agreement, there is quite a bit of paperwork that needs to be done during a divorce. Although your lawyer may need help getting the appropriate information from you, they can prepare this paperwork. This is important because it ensures that it will be finished properly and on time. Any delays could cause unnecessary issues in the divorce process.

Providing Informed Advice

There are many important decisions that you will need to make during divorce. It can be difficult to know what to do in these situations, and your lawyer may be a tremendous help. While it’s likely the first time that you’ve had to face these issues, they are familiar to your lawyer. They’ve seen similar or even identical circumstances before.

The experience and legal knowledge your lawyer has is an important asset in your decision-making. They can explain the potential impacts of certain decisions and help you recognize concerns that you might not have thought of on your own. While there are many issues on which you will need to make your own decision, your lawyer can be vital to helping you think through your options.

Negotiating the Terms of Your Divorce With Your Spouse and Their Legal Counsel

The majority of divorces will resolve the primary issues through the process of negotiating a separation agreement rather than going to court. These agreements address property division, spousal support, and, if there are children involved, child custody and support.

If you and your spouse have a difficult time coming to an agreement on certain issues, alternative dispute resolution methods could be useful. For example, mediation and arbitration are two commonly used methods. The court encourages couples to reach an agreement outside of court.

Having a lawyer represent you in these negotiations is important. The experience of a lawyer can be critical to pursuing your interests. Additionally, because they aren’t emotionally invested in the process, like both spouses who are divorcing, they can keep the process focused.

Representation in Court

Your lawyer can act as your representative before the court. This is particularly important if your position and interests need to be advocated for in trial. However, many divorces will be mostly resolved outside of court.

FAQs

Q: Will My Divorce Need to Go to Court?

A: While every divorce will need to go to court for a judge to approve the agreement, not every divorce will need to be argued in court. The majority of divorces don’t involve arguing before a judge. That’s because most divorces are settled in an agreement between the separating spouses. However, that agreement will need to be approved by a judge in family court before it can be finalized, and they will be checking to see that everything agreed upon meets the standards of the law.

Q: Does Divorce Take a Long Time in California?

A: Divorce can take a long time in California, or it can be relatively quick. In some cases, where the couple works together amicably and there is little conflict surrounding the primary issues, divorces could be finalized shortly after the minimum six months have passed from the time of filing. However, in more contentious situations, it’s not uncommon for some divorces to take much longer to be agreed upon and approved by a judge.

Q: What Should I Look for in a San Diego Divorce Lawyer?

A: In a San Diego divorce lawyer, you should look for a number of critical characteristics. You should, of course, look for someone with a strong understanding of family law and the issues related to divorce. Experience is also critical. However, it’s important to remember that you are deciding on someone to represent you, so your lawyer should also be someone you trust and are confident in.

Q: Are You Required to Be Separated for a Period of Time Before Filing For Divorce in California?

A: You are not required to have a period of separation before filing for a divorce in California, as is required in some states. You will only need to meet the residency requirements. However, there is a waiting period after the divorce is filed, as a judge cannot issue a dissolution of marriage until six months have passed from the time of the filing.

Bickford Blado & Botros Can Help With Your Divorce

Divorce is complicated and challenging, but one of the things that can help you through the process is having the right legal team working for you. There are many ways you can benefit from the help of your lawyer, from understanding the complicated legal issues to having an experienced representative arguing on your behalf. One of the most important benefits is the peace of mind that comes from hiring someone you trust.

At Bickford Blado & Botros, we understand how important it is to have a lawyer whom you can trust and count on to advance your interests in the divorce process. We take the faith that our clients put in us seriously and are dedicated to using our extensive knowledge and significant experience for their benefit. If you are searching for an experienced legal team, contact us today.

Feel Free to Contact Our Office with Any Questions

858-793-8884