In the state of California, a married couple who wishes to divorce can complete the process easily if they approach the matter in agreement. Even if both parties agree, however, California has a mandatory six-month waiting period. Any divorce will take a minimum of half a year. Anyone facing a divorce and who wants to finalize things as soon as possible must first be aware of the steps involved and consider the factors that can make a divorce take longer. When Filing for Divorce, Be Aware of California Residency Requirements A couple must first verify that they are eligible to file for divorce in California before they begin the process. …
Read MoreWhat Are the Five Stages of Divorce?
Divorce isn’t just a legal decree. It involves deep emotions – from pain and anger to healing and acceptance. Whether you initiated the divorce or weren’t quite ready to separate, divorce can be very emotionally and mentally taxing. To better help you understand and prepare for what lies ahead, it helps to understand that divorce is a process, and, like any process, it takes time to come to terms with. Divorce marks a very dramatic and often painful change in one’s life and can cause either or both parties to undergo the typical five stages of grief. Generally, these are the five separate stages that also represent the emotional impact …
Read MoreWhat Is a Military Spouse Entitled to in a Divorce?
Any marriage can be challenging, but military marriages are especially complicated due to the stress that military service often places on service members and their families. Unfortunately, many military marriages break down, similar to the way civilian marriages deteriorate. However, resolving a military divorce can be more complicated than a civilian divorce due to the nature of military benefits and federal government policies regarding those benefits in divorce. If you are a service member or the spouse of a service member and expect to divorce in the near future, it’s essential to understand the unique factors you must account for in your dissolution proceedings. While a military divorce will cover …
Read MoreWhat Is the Legal Significance of Paternity?
Paternity law covers all aspects of the law regarding being a father. Many factors complicate paternity issues, so it is vital to seek the counsel of a trusted paternity attorney to navigate the process. Many times, families facing questions about child paternity assume that a simple DNA test will solve all their problems, but that is not always the case. Anyone facing difficult circumstances that involve a child’s paternity should understand a few basic facets of paternity law. This will help clarify the legal process and allow you to address issues such as child custody and support. The Basics of California Paternity Law The first thing an individual needs to …
Read MoreWhat Does Division of Assets Mean?
When a couple decides that divorce or legal separation is the appropriate decision, their assets need to be distributed between them. The assets they may have could include various types of wealth, including possessions, vehicles, stocks, pensions, retirement funds, bank accounts, and real property, among others. What Is “Equitable” Distribution? When a couple’s assets are divided during the divorce, the distribution must be “equitable.” Equitable distribution can be confusing for anyone in the middle of a divorce. Legally, “equitable” isn’t the same as equal. One or both parties may expect their assets and debts to be split evenly in half, but this is not always the case and may not …
Read More