Central LA Divorce Lawyer
Divorce is a painful process that can affect every aspect of your life, including your family structure, your relationship with your children, your finances, and your social world. Trying to deal with all of this single-handedly is not advised in Central LA, California. Your spouse will likely have a lawyer representing their interests, and you will want one representing yours, too.
If you are considering divorce in Central LA, CA, or were recently served with divorce papers, contact the experienced Berenji & Associates for assistance.
Our Central LA divorce lawyers have more than 25 years of experience in family law that we can put to immediate use in your case. Call us today at (310) 271-6290 for a confidential case evaluation with a Central LA divorce attorney who cares about what’s best for you.
How Our Central LA Divorce Lawyers Can Help You
At Berenji & Associates, we provide a comprehensive approach to divorce cases in Central, LA, CA.
We look out for the legal, family, emotional, and financial interests of our clients. We can create a personalized legal strategy for your case that is tailored to meet your unique needs.
When you hire us, you can trust that we will:
- Provide you with targeted legal advice about every legal issue your divorce case involves
- Answer your questions with honesty and sensitivity
- Explain how California law may impact your case
- Protect your parental rights, so you maintain a continuing and meaningful relationship with your children
- Prepare legal documents in accordance with the California Rules of Civil Procedure
- Negotiate a favorable settlement when possible
- Represent you in any mediation or court proceedings
- Prepare you for hearings and proceedings in your case
We want to help you proceed toward the next chapter of your life with confidence and security. Contact us today to learn more about how our Central LA divorce lawyers can help make this happen.
Why Choose Berenji & Associates for Your Central LA Divorce?
You have your choice of divorce lawyers in Central LA.
However, we believe Berenji & Associates should be your choice because we have been recognized as all of the following:
- Top-Rated Family Law Attorney by Super Lawyers
- Top 30 Matrimonial and Family Law Attorneys by America’s Premier Attorneys
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Lawyers of Distinction
We also have an Avvo Perfect 10 Avvo rating, which shows how our satisfied clients feel after working with us. We also put 25 years of experience in family law to use in every case, so you can trust us to handle every aspect of your divorce capably.
What Are the Legal Requirements for Divorce In California?
In some states, you have to have a specific ground to seek a divorce, such as adultery or abuse. In California, the process of seeking divorce is simplified. There are only two grounds that are recognized by state law: irreconcilable differences or permanent legal incapacity. Irreconcilable differences mean differences have caused an irreparable breakdown of the marriage. Permanent legal incapacity means your spouse is legally unable to make decisions.
While you do not have to establish complex grounds to seek a divorce in California, you do have to show you or your spouse meet residency requirements. This means you or your spouse must have lived in California for six months and in your county for three months before filing for divorce.
What Legal Issues Are Determined In a Central LA Divorce?
California divorces can involve many legal issues, including:
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements – California divorces may consider whether any prenuptial or postnuptial agreement you and your spouse entered into are valid and enforceable.
- Asset and property division – Unless otherwise agreed, property acquired during the marriage is typically considered community property and subject to a 50/50 split upon divorce. California divorces may involve arguments that property is separate or that property has a different value than the other party alleged. California divorces can split up property such as real estate, financial investments, personal property, and intangible assets.
- Debt distribution – Debts are also subject to division during a divorce. How your divorce agreement or decree is worded can impact who is responsible for paying off debt and in what amount.
- Child custody and visitation – California courts may be tasked with determining what type of custody to award to parents or in approving their negotiated agreements.
- Spousal support – When there is a disparity in the economic situations of the spouses, spousal support may be awarded to help the lower-earning spouse transition to single life.
- Child support – Child support guidelines determine the appropriate amount of support that a parent should pay, but there are several exceptions for when the courts can deviate from these guidelines.
After a divorce decree has been entered, either spouse may seek additional intervention from the court. This may occur if situations change to warrant a modification in the court order or if the other spouse has not followed the court’s order.
What Is the Divorce Process In California?
Every divorce case in California is different. How a divorce proceeds largely depends on whether the case is contested or uncontested. Spouses can agree to resolve their case at any point and convert it to an uncontested divorce, or they can proceed to trial to have the court make important determinations.
The general divorce process in California includes the following steps:
Preparation of Complaint
One spouse will prepare legal documents that set out the reasons for divorce and the requests they are making to the court. They might meet with a divorce lawyer for help. Their lawyer may need information and documents to prepare the complaint.
Filing Divorce Paperwork
The divorce paperwork is filed in the county clerk’s office in the county where one of the spouses resides. The petitioning spouse usually has to pay a filing fee. The court stamps the paperwork to show that it was received.
Service
In most divorce cases, the other spouse is personally served with the divorce paperwork to show that they received notice of the divorce.
Response
Your spouse has 30 days to respond to the divorce complaint after being served with the paperwork. This written response is filed with the local courthouse, and a copy is served on the petitioning spouse.
Request for Temporary Orders
California divorces typically take a
t least six months before they are finalized. The spouses may want to ask the court to make some temporary orders for spousal and child support, payment of attorney fees, and orders regarding visitation.
Providing Financial Disclosures
Before a California divorce is finalized, each spouse must provide accurate and thorough financial disclosures about their assets, debts, expenses, and income. They may have to provide proof to support these disclosures, such as check stubs and tax returns, unless the other spouse has waived the requirement for these disclosures.
Discovery
Discovery is the legal process of obtaining information about a case that is being litigated. This helps each side better understand the other’s position and prepare for trial.
Deposition can consist of several parts, including:
- Depositions – Recorded interviews with parties or witnesses
- Demand for the production of documents – Written requests for certain documents, such as financial documents or real estate documents
- Interrogatories – A series of questions the other spouse must answer under oath
- Requests for admissions – Requests the other spouse to admit certain things to limit the scope of the case
- Subpoenas – Instructions to third parties to provide certain information or appear for trial or a deposition
A lawyer can help prepare and respond to discovery.
Settlement
Even if the divorce started out as a contested case, the parties can still agree to settle their case outside of court. The courts will encourage settlement as much as possible as a way to clear some of the caseload before it. The court may schedule settlement conferences to try to settle the case. The parties could even be referred to mediation to help amicably resolve their legal issues.
A settlement is possible if the spouses agree on all material issues of their divorce case, including:
- Property division
- Child custody and visitation
- Spousal support
- Child support
If the spouses agree to a settlement, the court will generally accept such a settlement. The court then turns the agreement into an order by which the parties are bound.
Trial
If the spouses cannot resolve their case through a settlement, they will proceed to trial. At trial, your lawyer may ask you questions, present evidence, interview other witnesses, argue your position, and cross-examine your spouse’s witnesses. The court will rule on any outstanding legal issues at the end of the case.
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Schedule Your Confidential Case Review With Our Compassionate Central LA Divorce Lawyers
Are you considering a divorce in Central LA, CA, or were you recently served with divorce papers? If so, time is of the essence. The dedicated legal team at Berenji & Associates wants to protect your rights and help you through every stage of your case. Call us today for your confidential consultation with a Central LA divorce lawyer.
Find out more about our office location. We serve in all cities near the Los Angeles, CA area, including:
- Central LA (90053)