I will Give you Straight Answers to Your Divorce Questions
At my law office in Redlands, California, I talk to people every day who have questions about their divorce or child custody issues. I hope the questions and answers I have listed on this page will be of some help.
Credit cards accepted ▪ Flexible appointments ▪ Convenient to Redlands Mall
For more complete answers to your specific questions, contact me to schedule a consultation.
What services does my firm offer?
I focus exclusively on providing California family law services, with a heavy focus on mediation services and collaborative solutions:
- Divorce
- Child custody, child support issues and visitation rights
- Post judgment modifications, including move aways
- Spousal support issues
- Paternity issues
- Domestic relations law, domestic violence and restraining orders
- Estate planning
- Adoption and legal guardianship
How much will it cost?
Every divorce is different, with a variety of factors that will affect your final fees. There are court costs and document fees we can discuss during our initial consultation, as well as my hourly rates. Generally, divorce mediation will be significantly less expensive than a costly court battle. In addition, I am willing to “unbundle” my services. That means that I will charge you only for the specific family law service you may need, instead of charging you a flat fee for an entire package that you don't need.
How can mediation and collaborative law be used effectively?
Under California law, every divorce case is required to go through a collaborative law process involving mediation. It is a time for the divorcing couples and their attorneys to work out an acceptable agreement that will prevent bitter court battles over property settlements and child custody. In most cases, mediation results in fewer post-judgment modifications, as well.
Where is your office located?
My firm is located at 329 West State Street, in Redlands, California, near the Redlands Mall. There is ample free parking. I offer flexible appointments and accept all major credit cards.
How long will it take before I'm officially divorced?
Every divorce is different. Under California law, there is a mandatory six month minimum period of time between filing the petition and the final divorce decree. Filing a legal separation can help expedite the legal processes during the six month petition period.
What grounds are required for divorce?
California is a no fault divorce state. That means that either party can petition for divorce without cause. The responding party cannot fight the petition on any grounds.
Is there a benefit to filing for legal separation in California?
Under California law, filing for a legal separation allows the court to divide your marital property and make decisions about child custody, while you remain legally married. This is often a benefit for spouses who are relying on each other's health care benefits, pension payments, etc.
OK, I want to file for divorce. What happens next?
I will prepare your petition and all the necessary documents to be filed with the superior court in your spouse's county. There will be a court fee for filing.
After your papers are filed and your spouse has responded, you and I will start talking about reaching an acceptable agreement with your spouse. We'll start by scheduling a mediation session, as required by the court.
How do I protect the marital property I want to keep?
The best way to divide marital property fairly is through a negotiated settlement agreement that the courts will find acceptable. All marital property will be labeled either community property or separate property. The general rule is that community assets (assets that you and your spouse obtained while you were married) will be divided equally. All property that each spouse owned separately at the time of the marriage will generally remain individual property.
We will work toward a mediated settlement in which both parties are satisfied with the final property agreement.
What is spousal support?
You may know it better as alimony. It is typically awarded to a spouse who will be at a distinct economic disadvantage after the divorce, which resulted from financial and lifestyle decisions made as a couple during the marriage. There are two types of spousal support. Temporary support is generally awarded when the marriage lasted less than 10 years. It is awarded temporarily to help the receiving spouse obtain a job or get required education to improve job opportunities.
Permanent spousal support is like it sounds. It is awarded permanently to help the disadvantaged spouse maintain a lifestyle to which s/he had become accustomed during the marriage. It is generally only awarded in cases of a long term marriage.
How much child support will I pay or receive?
No lawyer should tell you upfront exactly how much child support you will pay or receive. It will be determined by the court. California uses a child support calculator to determine the amount of child support obligation. The amount you pay or receive will be based on the income entered into the calculations.
I'm worried about custody of my children. What do I do?
The court will order you and your ex-spouse to attend one mediation session in order to reach a parenting time agreement. By working with a professional counselor during mediation, most divorcing parents are able to reach a mutually agreeable custody and visitation solution.
If you are unable to reach an agreement, the judge will have to make the decision about awarding custody. Your child(ren) will be placed in the home that will promote frequent and continuing contact with the non-custodial parent — even if that contact must be supervised.
Learn more at these practice information pages:
- Child custody and visitation practice page
- Divorce practice page
- Family law practice page
- Collaborative law practice page
- Marriage practice page
- Child support practice page
- Family law e-Newsletter
Contact me to learn more.
