It depends.  You cannot terminate the status of married in California until 6 months have passed from date of filing the Petition for Dissolution. However, the process can take longer depending on your specific case and whether or not you can agree with your spouse or need to litigate certain issues such as custody or property. It is certainly beneficial to have an experienced family law Attorney to keep the process moving along and complete the divorce as promptly as possible.

The cost also depends on your specific case. Certainly a case that reaches a settlement at the beginning stage will be less costly then one that is litigated and reaches a trial. If you believe that a settlement is possible, then we must focus on preparing a proposed settlement and sent it to your spouse right away.

When the Court is making a decision re child custody it takes into account several factors to determine what is in the best interest of the child. To help you reach the goals you want re custody you need an experience family law attorney and advocate by your side.

You may be eligible to receive spousal support if you are a dependent spouse, and the court will make this determination. There are many factors the court considers in making this decision, which include: the length of the marriage; the parties' age, the standard of living enjoyed by the parties during the marriage.

There are several other factors involved in determining spousal support; it is beneficial to have an experienced family law attorney to present your case whether your seeking or opposing a spousal support order.

When you go through divorce, one of the issues the Court will resolve is property division. The Court will determine what is separate and what is community property. Community property includes, but is not limited to and subject to various exceptions, assets and debts acquired during the marriage. Upon reaching this determination, the court will divide community property equally between the spouses. Separate property remains with, and will be granted to, the party that owns the property.

The Divorce process can be highly emotional and complicated. An experienced family law attorney can fight for you to make sure your rights are protected. I can provide zealous and honest representation and fight on your behalf to help you navigate through the complexities of the divorce process and reach your desired goals.