Divorce
No one truly ends up winning. Families get separated, lives are changed forever, and it’s a bit of a puzzle to figure out what to do afterwards.
There can be exorbitant amounts of paperwork that may be necessary, but knowing what you can do can make the entire process easier.
In California, getting a divorce means following some specific steps and a proper timeline. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify
Before anything else, you need to make sure you can get a divorce in California.
This means you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months, and in the county where you want to file for at least three months.
There’s other rules that you also need to keep in mind for legal separations, domestic partners, and same-sex couples. For a more detailed explanation of these rules, visit this following page.
Step 2: Figure Out Why You Want A Divorce
Before committing to an action that can forever change the course of your life, you need to pinpoint the reasons why you want a divorce.
California is a “no-fault” state, which means you don’t have to prove anyone did something wrong to get a divorce.
However, the most common reason for getting a divorce is “irreconcilable differences,” which means you can’t fix your marriage, and you’ve tried every possible option to save it by any means.
Step 3: Start the Process
Now that you know you can get a divorce, it’s time to start the process. You do this by filing paperwork called a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” with the right court.
This paperwork goes into details about important aspects of the divorce including who gets what, who takes care of the kids, and the division of assets.
Once you’ve filed this paperwork, you have to officially tell your spouse about it.
If you are unsure about how to file this paperwork for now, it’s best to consult with a trusted Orange County divorce attorney from Boyd Law to help you with your case and fight for the justice and custody that you deserve.
Step 4: Share Information And Talk Difficult Things Out
During the divorce, both sides have to share info that’s important for the case.
This includes money, assets, and child custody and it’s a big deal. It helps make sure everything is fair when you’re splitting up things like money and property. You might have to answer questions, give documents, or talk in interviews.
To avoid going to court, many couples try to figure things out by talking or getting help from a neutral person called a mediator. Talking is just discussing things between you two, while mediation is having someone help you agree. Both ways aim to find solutions that work for everyone, saving time and money.
Step 5: Go To Court If Necessary
If you can’t agree on aspects of the divorce, or if it’s uncontested, you might have to go to court. There will be hearings where both sides tell the judge their side. It’s important to be ready and do what the court says.
There’s also a chance that a judge may not rule in your favor, so it’s important to keep in mind that by going to court, it will require more time, more money, more resources that may not be best for both parties involved.
Step 6: Make It Official
Once everything is agreed upon, and you’ve waited for about six months from when you started, your divorce can be official. You get a final paper that says your marriage is officially over.
Make sure all the other components of the divorce such as who gets what is sorted out before making this step official.
Remember: It’s Not Easy
Going through a divorce in California means understanding these steps. From qualifying to making agreements, each step to follow during the divorce process is important to get the best outcome possible.
It’s a good idea to get advice from a family law expert in Orange County, California, to help you deal with the emotions and legal difficulties of ending a marriage in the state.
