Divorce Attorneys in Orange County
If divorce is the next step in your journey, make sure you have the right guidance. Although divorce is never easy, you can take care of yourself during this difficult time by hiring an Orange County divorce attorney.
As you work through this process, you will have to make a lot of tough decisions. Without the knowledge and advocacy of an attorney, you risk making decisions based on your hurt feelings—instead of choosing what is best for your future.
Wondering how to start your search for the right attorney? OrangeCountyLawyers.com has verified the attorneys listed here all have physical presence in Orange County and are ready to help you.
Helpful Information About Choosing an Orange County Divorce Lawyer
- You can research the Bar license status, suspensions or reprimands of an attorney at the California Bar Association website.
- The California Bar Association offers a “Specialist” certification for family attorneys, if they choose to pursue it. Not every one who is facing divorce needs a California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist, but some people prefer a lawyer who is specialized in this area of law. Certified family law specialists tend to require a higher rate than non-certified lawyers.
- Divorce lawyers typically require an initial retainer for services, often $1,000 – $10,000 or more depending on the complexities of your circumstances.
What Divorce Attorneys Often Don’t Tell You
Divorce can be an incredibly difficult and emotional process, and there are a few things that most divorce lawyers may not tell you:
- Divorce can take a long time: In California the divorce process can take several months to a year or longer, depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of both parties to compromise and come to an agreement.
- Divorce can be expensive: The cost of divorce can include attorney’s fees, court costs, and the cost of hiring experts such as appraisers or accountants. These expenses can add up quickly, and divorce can be financially draining for both parties.
- Divorce can have a long-term impact on your finances: The division of assets and debts during a divorce will definitely have a significant impact on your financial well-being for years to come. It’s important to consider the long-term financial implications of any agreements or decisions made during the divorce process.
- Divorce can be an emotional time bomb: Divorce is hell. You might be ready to face it today, but eventually it catches up with you. It can be difficult to cope with the end of a relationship and the changes that come with it.
- Divorce can be difficult if not life-changing for children: Even though children can be very resilient, they can be particularly impacted by the divorce of their parents. It’s important to consider the needs and well-being of your kids involved in the divorce and to work towards a child custody and child support arrangement that is in their best interests.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with divorce is different, and that seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist can be beneficial during this time. It’s also important to have excellent legal help and to make sure your divorce lawyer answers your questions thoroughly and prepares you for road ahead.
Orange County Divorce Lawyers:
Pinkham & Associates, APLC
The Law Office Of Bethanie L. Fanti
Advertise Here
Decisions to Make in a California Divorce
Over the coming months, you’ll have to make life-changing decisions regarding:
- How to divide marital assets and debts
- How much time the children will spend with each parent
- Who keeps the marital home
- Whether or not spousal support will be paid
How you choose to move forward will determine how your future plays out.
Financing Your Divorce Using a FLARPL?
What is a FLARPL? A FLARPL (Family Law Attorney’s Real Property Lien) is a legal tool that allows a family law attorney to place a lien on real property (such as your house or land) in order to secure payment for their services. However, you should know that divorce lawyers absolutely hate FLARPLs.
The lien is typically placed when a client is unable to pay the attorney’s retainer fees and the lawyer believes that the client’s real property has sufficient equity, or will increase in value before the case is concluded. The lien is recorded with the county recorder’s office and is attached to the property, meaning that it will remain on the property even if it is sold or refinanced.
Many lawyers will not take a case if financing is dependent on the FLARPL because of the rules & regulations, and the potential added stress between you and your lawyer. Make sure to discuss this with your potential lawyer early in your initial consultation.
Relevant Laws and Procedures
In order to get divorced in California, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months preceding the divorce and in the county of filing for at least three months. Like most other states, California only recognizes no-fault divorce. Even if one partner was unfaithful, abusive, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or otherwise considered an unfit partner, there are no grounds for fault divorce here.
The Division of Assets
California is a community property state. Everything you and your spouse have earned or acquired during the marriage belongs to both of you. When you divorce, these assets should be divided in half and distributed to both parties. This process can become more complicated when it comes to real estate, retirement accounts, investments, and other assets that fluctuate in value.
Child Custody Disputes
In most divorces, the parents come to an agreement on child custody. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and with whom, while legal custody refers to who makes important decisions regarding healthcare, education, and upbringing. Both physical and legal custody can be joint or primary. Joint physical custody means that the child lives with both parents for roughly equal periods of time. With sole or primary custody, one parent takes on the majority of the childrearing, but the other parent usually gets visitation. An attorney can negotiate an agreement and schedule that best supports your child.
Divorce Attorneys Near Me:
Child Support Considerations
In California, the court uses a complex formula to determine child support. However, there are many circumstances under which a judge may deviate from that formula. For example, they may order a parent to pay additional child support for child care costs, healthcare expenses, unique needs of the child, and visitation-related travel costs.
Determining Spousal Support
In California, spousal support, also known as alimony, is determined on a case-by-case basis which takes into account various factors such as the length of the marriage, the income and earning capacity of both spouses, individual needs, and standard of living established during the marriage. The court will also consider the ability of the paying spouse to pay and the needs of the receiving spouse.
What are the Main Reasons People Get Divorced?
There is no single answer to this question, as the reasons for divorce can vary greatly depending on the individual circumstances of each marriage. However, some of the most common causes of divorce include:
- Communication issues: Poor communication, lack of trust, and inability to resolve conflicts effectively are some of the most common reasons why marriages break down.
- Infidelity: Cheating on a partner can be a major breach of trust and can be difficult to overcome for many couples.
- Financial problems: Money issues can cause a great deal of stress and tension in a relationship, especially if one or both partners are struggling with debt or financial instability.
- Incompatibility: Sometimes, couples simply grow apart over time and realize that they are no longer compatible.
- Different expectations: If partners have different expectations for the marriage or the future, it can cause a great deal of conflict and may ultimately lead to divorce.
- Substance abuse: Addiction and substance abuse can have a profound impact on a relationship, often causing strain and conflict that can be difficult to overcome.
- Domestic violence: In cases of domestic violence or abuse, divorce may be the only viable option for the safety and well-being of the victim.
Regardless of the reasons for your divorce, an experienced divorce law firm can assist you to make the right decisions for your circumstances.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer in Orange County Today
When choosing a divorce lawyer, there are several factors to consider. Primarily, this boils down to: experience, practice focus on family law, reputation & client reviews, availability & cost. Ultimately, you should choose an Orange County divorce lawyer who you trust and feel comfortable working with, and who has the experience and qualifications to handle your case effectively.
Wherever you are in the divorce process, finding an attorney can limit your stress and help you work through this process swiftly. Browse our Orange County attorney listings now.
See More Attorneys
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