Los Angeles Divorce Attorneys 

A divorce can be a difficult life event to experience. Attempting to navigate your way through a divorce proceeding on your own can further compound an already difficult experience.

When you file for divorce, you’ll need to think about several key issues you and your spouse must resolve before the divorce becomes final. An attorney can advise you on these issues, such as property division, spousal support, child custody cases, and other concerns. An experienced divorce lawyer can advocate for you and help you get the most favorable settlement as efficiently as possible.

Child Custody and Support

You won’t need to involve the court in child custody if you and your spouse can agree on a custody arrangement. While you both can settle upon an informal custody arrangement, including the terms of that arrangement in the divorce decree often benefits both parties.

If you and your spouse can’t agree on custody and child support, an attorney can help you present a case to the judge that demonstrates your proposed custody arrangement to be the most beneficial to your children. 

In the past, courts tended to favor the mother in custody disputes, but the standard in California is to establish an agreement that allows children to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents.

California is a community property state; once two people marry, they become one legal “community.” In other words, any property that you and your spouse acquire during your marriage or domestic partnership becomes community property. Likewise, any debt accumulated during the marriage, such as credit card debt or a mortgage, becomes community debt.

An attorney can help you decide what property belongs to the marriage union and what belongs to individuals only. For example, if you received a gift or inheritance during the marriage, this money is separate, individual property. However, if you purchased a vehicle with money that you saved exclusively from your paycheck, and you accrued those earnings for that purchase during the marriage, the vehicle is considered community property.

Retaining a California Divorce Lawyer

Divorces involve distinctive issues that require an experienced family law attorney to handle properly. Even if you and your spouse agree on most or all issues that affect your divorce, you can benefit from having an attorney on your side to consult during the process. Schedule a preliminary consultation with an experienced divorce attorney today by calling 424-201-5444.