A Guide To Divorce Proceedings In California

We Guide You Through The Entire Process

When you and your spouse can no longer reconcile your differences, or if you have already been served with divorce documents, it is important that you retain the services of a dedicated Sacramento divorce attorney for help from the beginning to the end of your matter.

Call O'Brien Family Law, PC, at 916-468-0707 to schedule your confidential case consultation today.

What Does A California Divorce Involve?

If you and your spouse do not have children or high-value assets, or if you were only married for a short period of time, the proceedings may be easier or take a shorter amount of time from start to finish. This is because in any divorce, there are a number of things to decide before your case can be finalized.

These issues include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Property division
• Spousal support
• Child custody
• Visitation
• Child support

When a couple cannot reach an agreement, they may have to bring their matter before a judge. There are alternative dispute resolutions (ADR), such as mediation or arbitration, available to couples as well. This can help you save time, money and stress, if both you and your spouse can come to an agreement on terms.

A Step-By-Step Guide To Divorce

In California, a divorce officially begins when one spouse files and serves a petition upon the other. The spouse who has been served then has 30 days to respond.

If you do not respond, the proceedings will still move forward with the original petitioner requesting the court to make decisions on important issues. If you do respond, both parties exchange information to come to an agreement. This is why it is vital that you do not ignore any court paperwork and immediately retain the services of a Sacramento divorce attorney to help protect your best interests.

Discovery, Settlement And Trial

Discovery is when each spouse is required to disclose pertinent information about their property, their assets and their debts. It is important that both parties are completely honest during this phase of the divorce, as lying can lead to consequences.

After the discovery period, couples are required to go to a mandatory settlement conference to attempt and resolve their issues. If, during this conference, you can reach an agreement, your divorce can be settled out of court. However, when your matter is disputed, you will be required to go before a judge to argue your case.

Our Sacramento divorce lawyers have experience standing up for you in and out of court. It is crucial that you retain representation as soon as possible. Call O'Brien Family Law, PC, today at 916-468-0707.