When filing for divorce in Pasadena, many people find themselves wondering if they have to go to court to legally end their marriage.
Basically, the need for a trial depends on what type of settlement you want and what you're willing to do to get it. It also depends upon your spouse's attitude. If the two of you are still on relatively good terms and can work out a settlement between yourselves, you might not need to go to court. If one or both of you is out for revenge and using the court system to keep from moving forward, you might spend quite a few days in court before all is said and done.
There are several excellent reasons to try to avoid having to go to court with your ex. Litigation takes time and money. It takes emotional energy that you could be using to move forward with your life instead of dwelling on the past. If you and your ex have children together, it also creates hostility that makes it harder to be effective parents.
To avoid unnecessary drama, many experts recommend mediation or collaborative law. A mediator is a neutral third party who helps you and your ex come up with a fair settlement, which an attorney can then prepare to take the judge. Collaborative law is a process where both people have separate attorneys, but agree that they will work together to find a solution. If they can't come to an agreeable settlement, the process ends and they have to hire new attorneys. New attorneys are necessary, because the collaborative law attorneys are now disqualified from continuing to work on the case.
How Can We Help?
If you need to find a qualified attorney to handle your divorce-related concerns, please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com. Our Pasadena family law lawyers can provide the representation you need to handle issues relating to child support, child custody, visitation, alimony, or the distribution of marital assets.