Cerritos Divorce Lawyer

Providing Quality Legal Representation for Complex Family Law Issues

If you are considering a divorce, you must hire a lawyer who will fight to protect your legal rights. Even an uncontested divorce can be challenging to handle without an experienced attorney’s help. Under California law, there is a mandatory 6-month waiting period after the divorce petition is served to the party before the case can be finalized. Additionally, highly debated legal issues such as child custody, child and spousal support, and property division can cause a divorce case to drag on through California family courts, costing precious time and money.

Our law firm is well-qualified to handle legal separation and divorces involving same-sex couples. For these reasons, you need a family law attorney who knows what it takes to achieve favorable client results.

Contact The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron, located in Cerritos, CA, to schedule a free consultation with a skilled divorce attorney to determine your legal options.

Is California a No-Fault Divorce State?

California law stipulates that all divorces are “no-fault divorces.” As a result, neither spouse must prove that the other spouse did anything wrong to cause them to file for a divorce.

Under the no-fault divorce rules, the spouse who files divorce papers must only claim “irreconcilable differences” because they wish to end the marriage. Irreconcilable differences simply mean that the two spouses do not get along and do not wish to stay married.

Obtaining an uncontested divorce is relatively easy as both parties agree to the terms and property division. Spouses who can easily agree on the terms of their divorce can obtain a dissolution of marriage more quickly than those who cannot.

Nevertheless, even couples who choose a no-fault divorce cannot have their divorce finalized until after the mandatory 6-month period expires.

However, spouses who cannot agree on the terms of their divorce may have to pursue a contested divorce. The litigation process can take a significant amount of time and be very costly for both parties.

Some of the most common reasons why couples seek a contested divorce include disagreements over family law matters regarding:

If you need further clarification regarding the differences between a no-fault and a contested divorce in California, contact our Southern California law firm to schedule an appointment with one of our divorce lawyers, who can answer your questions.

How is Property Divided in California Divorce Cases?

California divorce law considers all assets acquired during a marriage to be community property. State law follows what is known as the 50/50 law regarding property division, which means that all marital assets are split equally between the spouses.

However, although a 50/50 split may seem like a fair divorce settlement, it can be problematic for spouses who own significant assets obtained during their marriage but acquired from their business interests.

State divorce law states that each spouse is entitled to 50 percent of the marital property. Under the law, nearly all property, assets, and money acquired during the marriage are considered marital property. However, one notable exception is if one spouse receives an inheritance left only to them.

Additionally, any assets acquired before the marriage are awarded to the spouse who brought them into the marriage.

Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that whoever made the money to purchase assets or bought the items is entitled to them in a divorce case. The 50/50 rule applies to all assets regardless of whose money purchased the items or who originally wanted them.

Couples who agree to an uncontested divorce can work with one another to negotiate the settlement terms outside of court. Be that as it may, no one should ever agree to a division of assets until they have consulted with a licensed attorney to ensure they reach an equitable agreement and their legal rights are protected.

If you face a complex property division, you must hire a divorce attorney who will act as your legal advocate to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

What is the Difference Between Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce?

Although mediation and collaborative divorce both take place outside of the court system, they have considerable differences.

Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is a process that spouses can utilize to settle their legal matters without going through the family law court system. After both spouses agree to mediation, they meet privately with a neutral third-party mediator to work through their legal issues and agree to a favorable outcome for each party.

One of the mediation process’s most significant benefits is allowing couples to work out their differences without costly litigation to resolve issues such as child custody and spousal support.

In most circumstances, soon-to-be ex-spouses who work issues out independently typically stand a better chance of each party complying with the divorce terms because they feel they have a say in the outcomes of their divorce cases.

If both parties agree to the terms, the mediator draws up a legally binding contract which both spouses sign

Collaborative Divorce

Unlike the divorce mediation process, in which individuals resolve their issues by working together, a collaborative divorce utilizes a team of professionals to determine a settlement. The collaborative divorce teams are assembled based on the couple’s unique needs and what they seek in a divorce settlement.

However, each spouse must have a lawyer trained in collaborative law to ensure that their interests are fairly represented.

A collaborative divorce lawyer advocates on their client’s behalf but also uses legal resources such as forensic accountants and business and monetary specialists to complete an investigation of the couple’s financial situation.

As with divorce mediation, collaborative divorce is meant to allow couples to amicably resolve their differences, especially when spouses share children.

It is also important to note that mediation or collaborative divorce may only be the right option for some couples. Anyone considering ending their marriage should consult a divorce lawyer to determine which option suits their legal needs.

The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron have comprehensive experience helping couples with their divorce matters and would be honored to assist you with your case.

Why Choose Our Firm for Divorce Proceedings

At the Law Office of Paul Duron, we know that navigating the divorce process is one of the most significant transitions in life. Whether it involves negotiating with your spouse or working through complex issues like child custody, spousal support, and asset division, we’re here to offer you the guidance and support you need to move forward. Below, we outline Here some of the advantages you’ll find when working with our Cerritos divorce attorney.

1. Personalized Guidance Throughout the Divorce Process

Our team understands that each divorce case is unique, and we take the time to learn about your specific circumstances and goals. By listening to your concerns and answering your questions, we help make the divorce process less overwhelming, and we work with you to craft a clear path forward.

2. Thorough Preparation for Court and Negotiation

Whether your divorce involves contested issues or can be resolved outside of court, we come prepared to advocate for you. Our approach includes careful preparation for both negotiations and court appearances, ensuring that your rights and priorities are well-represented. We aim to help you reach a fair resolution while minimizing the stress and uncertainty of the process.

3. In-Depth Understanding of Family Law Matters

Navigating divorce proceedings often involves more than just ending a marriage; it can also include matters like property division, parenting arrangements, and support agreements. Our team is equipped to handle all aspects of family law that impact your case, providing you with well-rounded representation.

4. Support for Both Contested and Uncontested Divorces

Some divorces involve intense disagreements that require a courtroom setting, while others can be resolved amicably through negotiation or mediation. Our firm is experienced in handling both types of cases and will support you in whichever approach best suits your situation. If litigation is necessary, we will stand by your side throughout; if a settlement is possible, we will work towards an agreement that respects your needs and goals.

5. Transparent Communication and Regular Updates

Throughout your divorce, communication is key. We believe in keeping you informed at every stage, offering regular updates and explaining each step of the process. Our office is always ready to address your questions, giving you confidence and clarity as your case progresses.

6. Focus on Protecting Your Rights and Future

Divorce impacts various aspects of your life—both now and in the future. From safeguarding your parental rights to protecting your financial stability, we keep your long-term interests at the forefront. With our firm, you can feel assured that your rights are upheld as we work toward the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Divorce-Related Issues We Help With

Our skilled family law attorneys are well-qualified to assist clients with personal situations that may require strategic solutions, including:

Legal separation
Protecting intellectual property
Disputes regarding child custody or spousal support
Finding hidden assets
Domestic violence or child abuse allegations

Our dedicated team of legal professionals does not back down and will fight tirelessly to ensure you obtain a favorable outcome. Regardless of what family law matters that may complicate your divorce, our California divorce lawyers will fight to protect your interests and future.

For these reasons, when you come to us for assistance with your family law matter, our divorce attorneys take the time to listen to your needs and develop legal strategies that will result in a favorable outcome.

No one enjoys the divorce process. However, our divorce lawyers will stand by your side from the moment we file the divorce petition until we submit the final paperwork.

Contact The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron, located in Cerritos, CA, at 562-205-8527 and ask to schedule a free, confidential consultation to learn how we can help.