If you are thinking of getting a divorce, you should retain a competent, experienced family law attorney as soon as possible. You may have assets to protect. You may have children whose best interests you have at heart. You may have any number of concerns that need to be addressed. There is a lot involved in a divorce, and compounding that is the emotional aspect of it all.
Fortunately, our attorney is a Certified Family Law Specialist who could help you with your divorce. Speak with our Camarillo divorce lawyers to learn more about our approach to family law and what steps to take next.
Before discussing divorce with your spouse, you should gather some information to make sure you can protect yourself and any minor children. You never know how your spouse may respond when you tell him or her you are thinking about it. Some people can become really bitter and/or angry and do things to make the situation worse.
With that in mind, you should make copies of documents for things like bank accounts, retirement accounts, and estate planning documents. One of our attorneys in Camarillo could help someone thinking of divorce create a full checklist of things to prepare and/or do prior to starting this process.
California is a no-fault divorce state, which means you do not have to prove the other spouse caused the divorce or otherwise provide a reason for ending the marriage except that there are irreparable differences.
Additionally, there is a residency requirement to file for divorce. This means petitioners in Camarillo must have lived in this county for at least three months preceding the divorce filing. To initiate these proceedings, you must file three specific documents:
If you have any minor children aged 17 or younger, you should file a Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) form known as Form No. FL-105/GC-120. You must serve these papers to your spouse and file the documents with the family law court. A lawyer in Camarillo could help some with the filing divorce process.
You can anticipate the divorce process to take at least six months. According to Section 2339(a) of the California Family Code, state law requires a 6-month waiting period from the date of service of the petition and summons. The same section also allows a 6-month extension when the requesting party shows good cause. So, if you do not want the process to be delayed, you need to make sure the forms are completed properly, and all deadlines and requirements are timely satisfied. Other matters that can complicate a divorce include:
These are all reasons why it is important to prepare marriage dissolution. A motivated lawyer in Camarillo could help prevent delays and make the divorce process move along as smoothly as possible given the circumstances.
If you are considering ending your marriage and want to learn more about the process, we can help you. Contact a Camarillo divorce lawyer today to schedule a consultation. Our team could help you prepare for this life-changing event and protect your rights throughout.
Hoffer Family Law Firm
