Thousand Oaks Divorce Lawyer

If you are dissolving your marriage, you should reach out to our family law firm. Our legal professionals could outline the steps you should take to begin protecting yourself and your interests. Divorces can be emotionally challenging, but our divorce attorney could help make the legal process easier.

Our family lawyers are committed to your best interests and the interests of your children, if you have any. If you are thinking of ending your marriage, contact our Thousand Oaks divorce lawyers today for a consultation to learn what you should be thinking about to protect yourself in the future.

Divorce in Thousand Oaks

To start a divorce, three specific documents must be filed:

1. The Petition, known as Form No. FL-100;
2. The Summons, known as Form No FL-110; and
3. The proof of service of summons, known as Form No. FL-115.

If you have children under the age of 18, you should also file a Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) form known as Form No. FL-105/GC-120. These forms must be filed with the family law court. Before you file for divorce, you must satisfy the residency requirements, which simply means you:

• must be a resident of California for six months; and
• must have lived in this county for the three months before filing for divorce.

Steps to Take to Prepare for the End of a Marriage

California is a no-fault divorce state. This means you do not have to prove anything to request the dissolution of your marriage – you just need to state that there are irreparable differences that cannot be solved. In other words, if you do not want to be married anymore, you do not have. Still, this does not mean the other spouse will not do whatever to prevent it, prolong it, or otherwise make life difficult for you. With that in mind, there are a few things to do to prepare for marriage dissolution:

1. Make a list of all bank accounts, retirement accounts, 401K accounts, and credit cards and note the current balances and/or keep statements together.
2. Get at least six months’ worth of mortgage statements and payment statements.
3. Make a list of login information to all accounts, including any joint accounts.
4. Make a list of all your assets and obtain appraisals.
5. Open a new checking account in your name only to place money in it for living expenses and emergencies.
6. Gather and make copies of important documents, like marriage certificate, titles to things like vehicles, any license like professional licenses, any prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement, executed wills, trust documents, other estate planning documents, insurance policies (e.g., life insurance, health insurance, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance), and tax return information for the last three years.
7. Create a list of all monthly bills.
8. Get a copy of your credit report.
9. Take pictures of the rooms and items in your home.
10. Document information on your children, like school information, class schedule, and after-school activities.

Finally, one of the most important steps to take before filing for divorce is to obtain an experienced Thousand Oaks attorney. Our team could help make the process of dealing with divorce much easier.

Speak with a Thousand Oaks Divorce Attorney

If you are thinking about marriage dissolution, we can discuss it with you and offer legal advice to help you better understand what a divorce may mean in your unique situation. Contact a Thousand Oaks divorce lawyer at our firm today to schedule a consultation.