What Is the Easiest Way to Get a Divorce in California?

No couple gets married with the intention of one day ending that marriage. However, sometimes, the dissolution of the marriage is inevitable, no matter how hard one or both of the spouses try to hold it all together. Divorce proceedings can be painful, and most people want their cases to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. You might find yourself wondering, “What is the easiest way to get a divorce in California?” The answer is dependent on several factors.

Perhaps you and your spouse have come to the realization that ending your marriage is the right course of action for all those involved. You have sorted out the issues usually involved in a divorce, like child custody, child or spousal support, and the division of property and debt. It is still important to retain the counsel of a San Bernardino divorce attorney who can ensure that your divorce finalization is reached in the easiest way possible.

How to Get a Divorce in California

When you have decided that filing a divorce is the right path for you and your spouse, there are several things you can do before you even officially file. Such actions can help the process move as swiftly and efficiently as possible. These include:

• Create Copies of All the Necessary Paperwork: It is vital that you find and create copies of key documents, such as income statements, insurance policies, and tax information, as well as personal nostalgic items, like photographs. All these items may prove necessary when valuing your assets during a property division.
• Collect and Organize Your Belongings: You will want to get all your personal items to a safe place. These items include your passport, your Social Security card, your birth certificate, and any documents pertaining to your medical history.
• Change All Your Passwords: Consider switching out passwords on sensitive personal accounts that your spouse might have access to. These could include any social media accounts, your email, insurance or medical portals, and your cell or banking information.
• Ensure Credit Protection: Ensure that you know of all the debt you currently hold. Get an updated credit score, and think about opening a separate bank account just for your own personal use.
• Make an Inventory: Take photos of all the household items you own. It is important that you record and describe everything.
• Tell Your Spouse: Though it is the hardest step of all, it is also the most important. A spouse blindsided by a divorce summons might be more emotionally charged and difficult to work with while you strive for an easy and quick divorce. However, if you suspect a violent reaction, you may want to seek professional help from a therapist or other third party.
• Inform Your Children: If there are minor children involved in the marriage, they should hear the news from one or, ideally, both of you. It is crucial for them to know that the divorce is in no way their fault and that you still love them, no matter what. They might feel loyalty to one parent over the other, and each case will be different. Keep in mind that it is important to provide consistency for your children and communicate with them throughout the process.

Once these steps have been taken, you can go ahead and file for divorce. To do so, there are certain steps that one must take. These include:

• Meeting the Residency Requirements: In California, you must live in the state for at least six months and at least three months in the county where you filed for divorce before it can be finalized.
• Filing the Petition: You can file for divorce at your local county clerk’s office. Once you have filed, your spouse will be served with the necessary paperwork and have a set amount of time to complete their own set of papers.
• Totaling Your Assets and Property: All shared, or community, property must be totaled and valued so that they can be properly split between you and your spouse.
• Negotiating a Settlement: If any issues arise between you and your spouse, you can set up a time to meet with an attorney. They can help negotiate a settlement that serves both your interests and those of your spouse.

FAQs

Q: How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in California If Both Parties Agree?

A: No matter the circumstances surrounding your divorce in California, all divorce processes take at least six months due to the state’s required waiting period. However, if both parties can agree on the issues brought up in their divorce, like child custody and support and spousal support, this is considered an uncontested divorce. It is the quickest process for divorce in California.

Q: What Is the Quickest Way to Get Divorced in California?

A: In California, the quickest way to get a divorce is by cooperating with your spouse and seeking an uncontested divorce. This is legal in any divorce case and starts by taking the necessary steps before you even file for divorce. If you can walk into your attorney’s office with a written agreement that both spouses have already decided on, the process of divorce will go much quicker than if there are points of contention between you.

Q: How Much Does a Simple Divorce Cost in California?

A: Assigning a specific dollar amount to even the simplest divorce cases in California is not possible. As each divorce is different and comes with its own set of nuances and complexities, each divorce will cost a different amount. Even in a simple divorce, court costs will still be required. These include costs for filing, name change forms, and other legal fees.

Q: Can You Get a Divorce Without the Other Person Signing in California?

A: In some cases, both parties may not agree to get a divorce. Sometimes, one spouse wants the divorce, and the other spouse decides to be difficult. Their refusal to consent, however, will not stop the process from happening, though it might lengthen said process. Divorce in California is possible with or without the consent of both spouses.

Contact a Trusted Divorce Lawyer Today

It may prove essential to your divorce proceedings to have the counsel and representation of a trusted divorce lawyer. The team at the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic is here for you, no matter the circumstances surrounding your divorce. We are passionate about fighting for our clients and protecting their interests in these cases. Contact us today to see how we may be of service to you.