If you are thinking about getting a Pasadena divorce, you may be wondering what is involved in the process of legally ending your marriage. Although the divorce process varies depending upon factors such as the length of your marriage, whether or not you have children together, and how many assets you need to divide, there are still some general steps that everyone must follow.
After filing the initial paperwork stating that you want to end your marriage, the first step of the divorce process is disclosure. Both you and your spouse will need to complete disclosure declarations that detail your income, expenses, assets, and debts. You are legally obligated to provide an honest account of all information that is requested.
Next, you will need to have temporary orders for handling issues such as child custody, child support, and alimony if these are issues that apply to your case. Temporary orders help ensure that basic needs are being met while the terms of the case are being decided.
If you and your spouse can reach an agreement on all the terms of the settlement, a judgment will be entered. If you can't reach an agreement, you'll both need to appear in court for a trial. The judge assigned to your case will then decide the terms of your settlement.
Although a judgment can be entered at any time, it's important to note that you can't be legally divorced until at least six months after one of you serves the other with a petition for divorce. Thus, it will take at least six months after filing the initial paperwork before you are free to marry again.
You are not legally required to have a lawyer represent you in your divorce, but it is strongly recommended. Divorce laws can be very complicated, especially if you have children or substantial joint assets that must be divided. Investing in a skilled attorney to represent you in court helps make sure that your future interests are being protected.
How Can We Help?
If you are in need of legal assistance for your divorce, please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com. Our Pasadena matrimonial attorneys can handle a variety of issues relating to the divorce process, including the division of assets, child custody, visitation, and child support.