Orange County Divorce Attorney
Achieve a Positive Divorce Agreement
If you are considering dissolving your marriage, there are several aspects
that you must consider beyond splitting the union between you and your
spouse. For example, if there are minor children involved, you must think
about the issues of child custody and child support. Additionally, most
marriages involve some sort of marital property that has to be divided
between the two partners. In cases where one spouse was the domestic partner
who took care of the home and/or children, sometimes you must also think
about alimony/spousal support.
All of these factors are overwhelming if you are already dealing with such
an emotional and upsetting situation. When you need help, you can count
on an Orange County divorce lawyer at The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman
to provide you with compassionate, stable and effective legal counsel
and representation. When you need what's best for you and your family,
you can trust our legal team to advocate your best interests throughout
the entire situation.
At The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman we offer help with the following:
What are the grounds for divorce in California?
California is a "no-fault" divorce state, which means that you
don't need your spouse's approval to end the marriage; however,
you will still be required to state the grounds for your divorce. If you
and your spouse consent to the divorce, or if you state that the marriage
is "irretrievably broken," then a no-fault divorce will be granted.
There is more than one way to settle a divorce, and certain proceedings
can be more complicated than others.
Some may require a lawyer that specializes in a specific type of proceeding, such as
military divorce. We understand that divorce is a very personal issue, so we always keep
our clients' well-being in mind. Whether you and your spouse are in
100% agreement, or your companion is refusing to participate altogether,
an Orange County divorce attorney will come prepared with the support
that you deserve.
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce in California
Not all divorces are resolved in court. Most couples are able to complete
uncontested divorces, avoiding the expense, time and stress of a contested divorce in court.
However, this requires you and your spouse to agree on all issues involved
with your case, including custody, support and property. This is why it
is still helpful to work with an attorney regardless of the circumstances
of your case and whether it is resolved inside or outside of the courtroom.
A skilled divorce attorney in Irvine can work to protect your legal rights
and interests in order to seek the best possible outcome through negotiation,
mediation or litigation. In general, avoiding court is a more effective
option for most couples.
The following are reasons to consider an uncontested divorce:
- Considerably cheaper than settling in court
- Less time spent on divorce
- Reduced stress
- Limited strain on relationship with spouse
- Limited trauma your children may experience
To find out more about your options in this regard, we recommend contacting
an Orange County divorce attorney at our firm at your earliest convenience.
We can help you make the right choices for your particular case.
Why Hire a Divorce Lawyer?
If you and your spouse are considering settling your divorce without a
lawyer, you could run into a multitude of problems. Expert advice will
help both of you obtain everything you deserve from the divorce.
State divorce laws don't always guarantee an equal split of assets and debts, and if complicated issues such as inheritance, child support and child
custody exist between both parties, your lawyer can help to ensure that
you receive a fair share. Even if you and your spouse are on agreeable
terms, divorce can be an extremely trying process.
To Maintain a Stress-Free Environment
Delicate matters can turn a friendly sit down into a battle royale. Hiring
an Orange County divorce attorney will create a stress-free divorce environment.
The process is stressful enough; let a divorce lawyer handle all the legal
ins and outs. Even if you plan to settle out of court, it is crucial that
you have legal assistance on your side looking out for your rights and
interests. When disputes arise, having an experienced professional on
your side will help you completely understand your legal rights and options,
therefore making it easier for you to come to a conclusion you can be
happy with.
To Avoid Mistakes in the Process
The two reasons married couples make mistakes in a lawyer-less divorce
are the stress brought on by the process and complications brought on
by the legal system. If you accidentally forget to include a particular
medical bill or loan documentation in your settlement agreement, this
could cause significant problems. An attorney will make sure that all
of the details are tended to and the proper paperwork is presented to
the court. You and your spouse may agree 100% on the written settlement
agreement, but if it is not written in such a way that the judge understands
or accepts, he or she may issue a divorce decree that goes against what
you and your spouse initially agreed upon. Our attorneys are familiar
with all the different forms and paperwork that are needed to complete
the process. If you go to court without legal counsel, any issues with
this paperwork could cause significant delays.
How to Choose a Divorce Attorney
So how can you choose the right attorney for your case? This is a personal
matter and will vary depending on your particular needs and concerns.
That is why we recommend talking to a few different attorneys about your
case. You can visit their offices or undergo a phone consultation to get
an idea of who you would be working with. It is also important to review
their credentials, background, education and experience to see if you
believe they have the skill necessary to handle your case. Because your
particular qualifications and concerns will vary, your final choice in
attorney will be up to you and you alone.
Call (949) 558-2799 for a Free Consultation
Every divorce is different. For example, because California is a community
property state, you can expect that your marital assets will be split
equally upon dissolution of marriage. However, there can be serious contention
as to which property is marital and which is not. With the help of an
Orange County divorce attorney, you can definitively handle these situations
in a manner that is always advocating your best interests.
Contact The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman to speak with a divorce attorney in Irvine to discuss your options.