Compassionate Legal Guidance Throughout Your Divorce
A divorce is never easy. You are not only walking away from your partner but also facing changes to your finances, housing, lifestyle and how you raise your children. It is understandable how overwhelming a divorce case can be.
At Lord & Brooker, APC, we understand the challenges you face. With decades of combined experience, our divorce attorneys provide exceptional representation and guidance. We aim to provide our clients with straightforward answers to their questions and approach every challenge with integrity and dedication.
Finding The Best Path Forward To Suit Your Needs
In California, you can pursue multiple types of divorce depending on your circumstances. Whether your divorce is straightforward and easily settled or requires a judge to intervene, we can help you pursue the best option.
Types of divorce in California include:
- Contested divorce
- Uncontested divorce
An uncontested divorce in California can happen when both parties agree on the critical terms of the divorce, including child custody, property division and other financial issues. The process is usually faster and less expensive than a contested divorce. However, working with an experienced divorce attorney can save you time and extra stress throughout the process.
A contested divorce is when the spouses cannot agree on the elements of their divorce. For example, parenting time and asset division are common points of contention that may require the intervention of attorneys or a judge. The contested divorce process takes longer and requires an experienced attorney to represent your interests.
Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce
We know that if you are contemplating a divorce, you probably have a lot of questions. We want to help provide the answers. Here, our experienced attorneys answer some of the more commonly asked questions. For answers to your specific questions, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation appointment.
Who can get divorced in California?
In order to get divorced in California, you or your spouse has to have lived in the state for at least six months. In addition, the spouse who is filing for the divorce has to have lived in the county in which they are filing for at least three months. There is one exception to this rule. In the instance of same-sex marriage, if a married couple is unable to get divorced where they live, for example, if they are currently living in a country that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage, they can file for divorce in California.
Is California a no-fault state?
Yes. In the state of California, all divorces are filed without naming someone at fault. In other words, the spouse who is filing for divorce does not have to prove that the other person did something wrong to cause the divorce. As a result, most divorce filings state that the reason for the divorce is “irreconcilable differences.”
What is the six-month rule and when does it apply?
In California, there is a required six-month waiting period for a divorce. Once you file for a divorce, no dissolution can be final until six months after the date the divorce papers were served. This mandatory waiting period, sometimes called a “cooling off” period, is designed to give couples a chance to reconcile.
How long does a divorce take in California?
Because of the mandatory six-month waiting period, a divorce proceeding will take at least six months. Beyond that, how long your divorce takes will depend on the facts and circumstances of your situation. If your divorce is uncontested, it will have the potential to resolve faster than a divorce where the parties disagree on the terms of the decree. There are a lot of factors that can cause a divorce to take longer than six months. Our divorce lawyers want to save you as much time and stress as possible. But we will also fight to protect your rights throughout the entire process.
Let Us Help You With This Next Step
Filing for divorce is a huge step. Our divorce attorneys at Lord & Brooker, APC, understand what you are going through and know how to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys by calling 951-666-2367 or completing our online contact form. With offices in Redlands, Riverside and Temecula, we are ready to discuss your case.