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Last Modified on Jan 02, 2026
Divorce is not a pleasant process for anyone. The prospects of dividing assets, potentially moving out of your home, and trying to come to an agreement about child custody arrangements might sound incredibly daunting. However, divorce has been a reality for many people before you. With the help of a good lawyer, such as one at The Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic, you can get through it, too. Here are ten questions to ask your skilled Riverside divorce lawyer before hiring them:
How Long Does a Divorce Take to Finalize in California?
Divorce can be complicated, and it is a complex legal procedure. There are a lot of divorce laws involved in the process. Dividing assets and making a plan for how to disentangle two lives sometimes takes a long time. Your Riverside divorce attorney can give you a rough estimate for your case, based on how complex it is. Knowing how to file for divorce is just the beginning. To ensure you have the right support While the timeline varies significantly from case to case, divorces generally take at least six months to be finalized.
How Do I Pay You?
Your lawyer should have a straightforward answer for this. Attorneys generally charge for their time by the hour. Most divorce lawyers require an upfront fee, called a retainer, to begin using their services. Their actual time spent working on your case is then billed against this lump sum, so you aren’t being invoiced for each individual hour.
Will You Go to Court With Me?
If need be, your attorney should be prepared to go to court with you if your case results in a court hearing. You need a skilled Riverside family law attorney, Make sure your lawyer is experienced in court and knows the courtroom procedures for divorce hearings.
Will I Have to Pay Alimony?
Your attorney should tell you if you are likely to be required to pay alimony because of your divorce. Alimony is money one spouse pays to the other to help them continue the lifestyle to which they were accustomed before the divorce. You should ask your attorney, “Is alimony mandatory in California?” It is a common part of divorce agreements, and any experienced divorce lawyer can give you an idea of what to expect.
Can You Communicate With My Spouse for Me?
Sometimes, especially in particularly contentious cases, it is in the interest of all parties involved for the spouses to stop talking directly to each other. Your attorney should be able and willing to facilitate communication between you and your spouse, ideally through their attorney. This is helpful in expediting communication and reducing the emotional temperature of the situation.
Will My Prenup Hold Up in Court?
If you have a prenuptial agreement, your attorney should review it and help you prepare for any possible issues that may arise in the divorce proceedings. Prenuptial agreements exist to make a potential divorce smooth and easy, as they can reduce the potential for conflict. However, these documents are sometimes not enforceable for one reason or another. A seasoned divorce lawyer should anticipate any problems.
What If My Spouse Cheated?
If your spouse was unfaithful and that is the reason for your divorce, that may have some bearing on the validity of your prenuptial agreement. Some such documents include a clause that voids the terms of the contract in the event of provable infidelity. If that applies to you, your attorney can determine whether the infidelity can be substantiated and what the next steps are for establishing new divorce terms.
Can You Help Me With My Child Custody Arrangement?
Some divorce attorneys are also experienced child custody lawyers. If you can find someone who can help you with both issues, your case can go a lot faster and smoother. Child custody arrangements are a necessary part of any divorce in which the couple shares children, so it is expeditious to hire a divorce lawyer who can help you draft a solid parenting agreement as part of your divorce petition.
What if the Other Parent and I Cannot Agree on Child Custody?
Many people avoid filing for divorce because they fear the eventuality of a custody battle for their children. Unfortunately, parents sometimes cannot agree on who should have custody of their children and when. Before you hire a divorce attorney, ask them how they handle contentious child custody cases.
Is It Possible to Finalize a Divorce Without Going to Court?
Nobody wants to go to court over divorce disputes. It is time-consuming, emotionally charged, and stressful. The goal for anyone getting divorced should be to settle the case as quickly and amicably as possible, and hiring a good divorce attorney can help you do that. Your attorney should know how to successfully resolve your divorce without you going in front of a judge.
FAQs
Is California a No-Fault Divorce State?
Yes, California is a no-fault divorce state. All U.S. states allow people to file for divorce on a no-fault basis, but some states only allow no-fault proceedings, and California is one of those. A person cannot file for divorce and cast legal blame on the other person as part of the divorce proceedings.
How Do I File for Divorce in Riverside?
In Riverside, you can file for divorce by filing an initial petition at the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside’s Family Law Division. This entails getting a few forms, filling them out, and taking them to the courthouse clerk for filing. It is a good idea to consult an attorney to assist you and expedite the process.
How Common Is Divorce?
Divorce is very prevalent, although the common assumption that 50% of marriages end in divorce is not correct. In the United States, the divorce rate is about 2.4 per 1,000 people. In Riverside County, the divorce rate is about 9.3%. If you are going through a divorce, you are certainly not alone.
Do Courts Often Award Joint Custody of Children in California?
Yes, the general assumption in California custody disputes is that the child is ideally served by maintaining a relationship with both parents. Therefore, if both parents are safe and healthy for a child to be around, a court is likely to try to reach an arrangement that results in joint custody of the child.
Schedule a Consultation With a Riverside Divorce Lawyer
If you are in the Riverside area and facing the prospect of a divorce, you need to retain knowledgeable and experienced legal counsel to help you navigate the process. Contact The Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic today to discuss your divorce case.
