Going through a divorce in California can be a long, complicated process – especially if you’re getting into constant disagreements with your former spouse. When it comes to any kind of contested divorce with conflicts, having a strong divorce strategy that represents both your and your family’s best interests is crucial. By working with an experienced divorce attorney, you can trust that they’ll help you in forming a divorce strategy in addition to representing you throughout the process.
Here’s some basic information on creating a strong divorce strategy and how a divorce lawyer can help you to do so.
How to Create a Good Divorce Strategy
There are a variety of different aspects that you should consider when creating a strategy that makes sense for your divorce. Some of the most important details of any great divorce strategy include:
- Preparation / Knowing the LawsTo form a powerful divorce strategy, you need to be prepared in multiple ways. Educating yourself on the state’s divorce laws is one of the first things you should do before filing for divorce in California. This way, you have a better idea of how the divorce process is going to work and what is to come. From there, you can work with your lawyer to prepare yourself for litigation or whatever process you choose.
- Determining Your Divorce ApproachIf you are the individual that is filing for the divorce, you are known as the petitioner. It’s important to talk with your divorce lawyer to determine which approach makes the most sense for you and your spouse. In some cases, separating spouses opt to use alternative dispute resolutions like mediation so that they can stay out of the courtroom. In other cases, the divorce is contested and must go through litigation to have all final decisions on the divorce made. If you know you and your spouse will disagree, it’s most likely that you’ll decide to file for a contested divorce.
- Gathering All Important InformationOnce you have either filed for divorce or received divorce papers from your spouse, you’ll need to gather a great deal of personal information. Your financial records and asset records will play a critical role in the divorce, so it’s crucial you have all of your documents prepared and up to date. Because California is a community property state, it’s especially important to get your assets identified and valued so that your spouse can’t try and hide any from you. By gathering information on your finances, your children, your assets, and your occupation, you’ll be able to create a divorce strategy that suits your case’s interests.
- Determining Your Needs and Prioritizing ThemIf you haven’t sat down with your lawyer to discuss it by this point, it’s essential to take the time to decide what you believe would be right for you and your family in each divorce matter. This includes your wishes on property division, child custody, alimony, and other important aspects of your divorce. If you work with an experienced divorce attorney, they can not only help determine what is in your interest, but they’ll represent you and fight for that outcome.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Form the Best Divorce Strategy
No one knows divorce law better than an experienced divorce attorney. Whether you’re going through litigation or trying out mediation, working with a lawyer can help you immensely throughout the entire divorce process. Forming a divorce strategy can be difficult, especially if you aren’t very familiar with the state laws surrounding divorce in the first place.
A qualified lawyer can not only help you understand the legalities of your divorce, but they’ll work with you to learn more about your unique situation and form a divorce strategy that best represents you. They’ll take into consideration what you want, what’s best for you and your children, and other personal factors .
FAQs
Q: What Are the Stages of a California Divorce?
There are six main steps to a California divorce. Starting with the preparation period, where a couple makes sure they meet the requirements, they can then move onto the filing stage. After filing, one spouse will then serve the other with papers; there will be a waiting period, then the couple will have to work to form agreements on different matters. Once all matters have decisions made, the court will make its final judgment on your divorce and finalize it.
Q: Why Do You Need a Divorce Strategy?
Because divorces involve a wide range of disagreements and personal feelings, including expectations, wishes, and convictions, it’s important to always have a strategy prepared. Forming a divorce strategy can help you feel better prepared for the divorce proceedings, in addition to helping prioritize your needs and what’s right for you.
Q: What Are Tips for Finding a Good Attorney?
When looking for a qualified divorce attorney, there are a few important matters to keep in mind. It’s always a smart idea to look at the experience of the lawyer, as well as their education or any particular certifications they may have. You’ll also want to find an attorney who practices family law. This way, you can trust that they’ll have experience with divorce cases.
Q: How Long Does a California Divorce Take?
Because the divorce process deals with a variety of different issues, the average divorce takes at least six months to finalize but can often last much longer, even years. Several factors influence the amount of time a divorce will take. Alternative litigation, such as mediation, will take considerably less time on average than contested divorces which require additional time in court.
Start Preparing for Your Upland Divorce Today
The process of divorce is not an easy one. At the Law Office of Stephanie J. Squires, our team is devoted to assisting California residents through tough family law cases. For over two decades, our lead attorney Stephanie J. Squires has fought to protect the rights of clients through convoluted divorces and represent their best interests along the way.
We understand how difficult the divorce process can be, which is why we’re prepared to help you form a strong strategy to fight for the best outcome possible. For more information on how our experienced legal team may be able to help you through your Upland divorce, contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more.
