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Divorce and Legal Separation

Experienced Redlands, CA Divorce Lawyer

When a marriage dissolves, there are a multitude of legal and financial challenges that must be faced. If you live in the State of California, you will need to understand important elements in a divorce process. Below we will guide you through the specifics of filing for divorce in the State of California. Understanding your rights while going through a divorce, can help to avoid costly mistakes as well as ensure that your rights are protected. If you are going through a divorce, seek the legal expertise of a knowledgeable attorney who can guide you from start to finish. By seeking the advice of a knowledgeable family law attorney, you can go through the burdens of a divorce with much more ease than attempting to go it alone. Crista Haynes is a highly experienced divorce lawyer and is the only 4 California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist in Redlands. If you live in Redlands or San Bernardino, or any surrounding areas in the Inland Empire, including Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Crista is available to provide a consultation regarding your case.

The Aspects of Filing for Divorce in the State of California

Filing for divorce in California requires certain elements. A brief overview of these elements involve:

Eligibility – As a petitioner, you will need to meet certain requirements to file in a California court. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • At least one of the parties will need to be a California resident for a minimum of six months before the proceedings begun.
  • Filing for divorce requires one of the spouses to file in a specific California County. In order to be eligible for divorce in a California County, at least one of the parties will have to present proof that he or she resided in that specific county for a minimum of three months before the proceedings begun. When minor children are involved in the case, typically the case will be filed in the County where the minor children reside.

Reasoning – Every divorce in the State of California is considered no-fault. This means that the petitioning party does not have to provide a reason as to why he or she is presenting the divorce to the other spouse. A California judge will not consider fault when determining child custody & visitation, spousal support or when dividing property rights.

It is worth mentioning that every divorce case will be different. If you have concerns with regard to your specific case, consult with Crista Haynes as soon as possible.

General Process – In California, there are key steps you will need to follow in order to get a divorce processed and receive a judgment from the court. Once you have petitioned for a divorce, you will always wait six months before the proceeding is finalized. This does not mean that you cannot finish the process prior, but the martial status termination is always 6 months and 1 day from when the respondent is served (or appears).

When a spouse files for divorce in the appropriate superior court, he or she must serve the other spouse with copies of the divorce petition, among other relevant documents. For the most part, both parties may seek to represent themselves, however, many will find difficulty when planning for the division of assets and child custody and specific financial issues such as child and spousal support. In the event that the couple is unable to find a resolution for the division of assets and/or child custody, they will likely enter into a divorce trial, where a judge will decide on the terms of the separation. This could be by way of formal trials and hearings, or even by default should the respondent not want to be a part of the case. Either way, the initiation of the case is important in and an attorney with experience should be consulted.

Obtain the Legal Support of a Specialist in Family & Divorce Law

Divorce in the State of California does not have to be a long and strenuous process. The complexity of the matter can cause unnecessary stress and financial burdens for families and having the right attorney can help avoid many issues that can arise in a divorce case. For many people, it is imperative to seek the legal advice of a family law attorney who has experience in divorce law in effort of brining ease into the process.

The Haynes Law Firm, APLC is a family law firm dedicated to representing the rights of their clients when going through a divorce. The firm is highly experienced in divorce and family law in the state of California. They understand that a divorce carries unnecessary worries and concerns; with their expertise, they have helped many families achieve resolution in divorce.

Crista Haynes, compassionately protecting the rights of those going through divorce in Redlands, CA. Crista is available for consultation and serves residents in Riverside and San Bernardino County including San Bernardino, Riverside, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa & Highland and surrounding. If you are contemplating or have already started a divorce case, California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist Crista Haynes is available to talk to you about your case.

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