What You Need to Know: FAQ on California Divorce

For many people, the realization that they will be getting a divorce comes slowly, over a span of several weeks, months – even years. Others are completely blindsided by their partner announcing – seemingly out of the blue – that they intend to end the marriage.

Whatever camp you fall in, when you really begin to wrap your mind around the prospect of your entire world changing – you may feel a sense of vertigo. Few people really understand enough about the California divorce process to know exactly what is in store, and what their next steps should be. By gaining some basic information on key divorce-related issues you can build that sense of empowerment required to serve your best interests as you move forward.

In the below you will find some basic frequently-asked-about items that are imperative to understand as you build your knowledge of California divorce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Do First?

Every case and set of circumstances is different. However, many cases begin by consulting with a reputable California divorce attorney. Beginning your journey with an expert in your corner can actually save you time, money, headaches, and any fallout from potential missteps you might make without professional guidance. Remember, divorce attorneys are professionals. They can provide key information on what to expect in your case and have expert knowledge on how to pursue and protect your best interests.

Will the Divorce Need to Go to Court

Every divorce requires petitioners to file divorce paperwork. However, many cases do not need to be litigated in court. When parties can come to formal agreements outside of a court setting then that agreement would normally be honored by the court. Experienced attorneys can help you navigate this process successfully.

How is Child Custody Determined?

As mentioned above, if the parties can come to their own agreement and arrangement the court will likely defer to the parents. However, if parents cannot come to an agreement on custody and parent time then a judge will decide the matter for them. The court will consider a great many factors, but at the end of the day the goal everyone is working toward is ensuring the best interest of the children are met.

How is child support determined?

Child support is a matter of law. California Family Code Section 4055 provides an equation that is used to determine the proper amount of child support to be ordered. Factors in the equation include the income of both parents, and the amount of time that a parent serves as the parent who has physical custody of the child.

This article merely touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what any person newly contemplating the realities of a divorce will need to know. The experienced attorneys at Cardwell, Steigerwald Young can help.

Contact Cardwell, Steigerwald Young

The haze and uncertainty surrounding divorce and the dissolution of a marriage can feel overwhelming. But you do not have to face this alone. Allow the experienced San Francisco divorce attorneys at Cardwell, Steigerwald Young to advise and help you navigate through this temporary phase in your life, so you can move on to a better next chapter. Contact our office today to begin speaking about your own unique case.

Sources:

courts.ca.gov/documents/BTB_23_2O_1.pdf

leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&sectionNum=4055