Hollister Divorce Lawyers Provide Effective Representation
Reputable attorneys serve California’s Central Coast
As soon as you make the difficult decision to divorce, it is time to take action to protect yourself and your loved ones. The divorce attorneys at The Grunsky Law Firm PC have focused their practice on helping clients through the often complex and emotional divorce process. The dissolution and divorce process is complicated because it typically involves issues of alimony, property division, child custody, child support and visitation.
Residency requirements for divorce in California
To qualify for a divorce in California, either you or your spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months and a resident of the county where the petitioner files for at least three months. Couples who are not eligible for a divorce can file for a legal separation. Then after the required time passes, you can file for divorce using your separation agreement as the basis for an uncontested divorce.
Santa Cruz law firm manages contested and uncontested divorce
Most divorces in California are filed using no-fault grounds, but that does not mean the divorce will go through court uncontested. A true uncontested divorce happens when the spouses negotiate resolutions to all their ancillary family law issues — alimony, child custody, child support, and property division — and presents the court with a marital settlement agreement for approval. Couples who cannot come to complete agreement must litigate any outstanding issues in court, making theirs a contested divorce. Our divorce attorneys are experienced in handling contested and uncontested divorces, taking a proactive approach from the beginning of the separation period until the final resolution. Our attorneys have also earned a reputation as excellent mediators in the area of divorce. We work hard to provide our clients with an alternative to divorce litigation, often negotiating mutually acceptable divorce resolutions. Our mediators meet with the spouses, helping them work through the details of a divorce agreement until all parties are satisfied. This mediation often saves our clients both time and money.
Resolving your property disputes under California law
California is a community property state, so any property or debt the couple acquires during the marriage is considered part of the marital estate to be divided equally between the two parties. If you lived outside of California during your marriage, and that property would have been considered community property if you’d gotten it in California, that property is called quasi-community property, and the California court will treat it as community property. Separate property consists of assets and debts you had before you were married, as well as:
- Inheritances and gifts to you alone during the marriage
- Profit made from separate property
- Assets bought with separate property
However, complications often arise when separate property has been commingled, or mixed in with community property. Commingled assets can be very difficult to divide fairly and accurately. To help ensure your life after divorce begins on a sound financial footing, you must consult an experienced divorce attorney who can capably assert your property rights.
Contact us for divorce representation in Watsonville or Santa Cruz today
Whether you are the one filing for divorce or if you have been served with divorce papers, you need to know what to expect during the days ahead. Let a divorce attorney at The Grunsky Law Firm PC guide you through the divorce process, putting our years of experience to work for you. Call us at 831-740-8881 or contact our office online to schedule a consultation.