Riverside Divorce Lawyer

Divorce Attorney in Riverside, CA

Divorce is one of the most difficult situations a person will go through. During this stressful time, you may not be best equipped to make life-changing decisions for yourself and/or your children. Our skilled Riverside divorce attorneys dedicate our time to help you through these challenging times and educate you on the law so your rights are protected and your assets are preserved. California is a no-fault state. This means the spouse filing for divorce does not have to prove the other spouse did something wrong.

California Divorce Laws: Community and Separate Property

There are many complex issues involved in a divorce. California is a community property state, which means any asset acquired or income earned during a marriage belongs to both spouses. Separate property occurs when it is an asset acquired or income earned before the marriage or asset obtained during the marriage by inheritance or gift. There are exceptions to the separate property rule, including when a spouse co-mingles the property with community property. That’s why it is important to have a knowledgeable and skilled attorney. We work vigorously to ensure you receive what you are legally entitled to.

Choose Michelanne Hrubic as Your Riverside Divorce Attorney

If you need a marriage dissolution attorney in Riverside, California, it is important to find one with the experience to guide you to a positive result when ending your marriage. Attorney Michelanne Hrubic has extensive experience in both civil and criminal law and strives to offer every client the most comprehensive legal representation possible. Our legal team takes time to get to know you and your situation, so we have as much information as possible on our side.

We offer free initial consultations to potential clients so they can get to know our firm and our approach to divorce cases in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas. As experienced family lawyers, we understand that California’s divorce laws are flexible in some ways and rigid in others. We strive to help every client fully understand the process so they can approach it with greater confidence.

The Divorce Process in Riverside: Step-by-Step

Thinking about filing for divorce? Here’s a quick overview of the local process, following California Courts official guidelines:

1. Initial legal consultation and case evaluation

2. Filing the divorce petition with Riverside County Court

3. Serving divorce papers and waiting for a response

4. Financial disclosures and gathering of evidence

5. Temporary orders for custody or support if needed

6. Negotiations, mediation, or alternative dispute resolution

7. Finalizing settlement or proceeding to trial

8. Receiving the court’s dissolution judgment

Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer in Riverside?

It is not uncommon for divorcing spouses in California to believe they are cooperative enough to handle divorce proceedings without legal representation, but this is a risky assumption. Navigating family court without legal representation is a significant challenge, and there is no guarantee that your spouse will not hire their own legal representative.

Hiring an attorney can not only make handling your divorce much easier but also ensure you reach the most acceptable result possible with your divorce.

An experienced Riverside divorce lawyer can help you gather all of the evidence, documentation, and records you will need to produce for your divorce. While you might be able to gather these materials on your own, having an attorney guide your fact-finding process adds an additional layer of security, ensuring your records are as complete and accurate as possible. Your attorney can also handle procedural responsibilities with the court, such as filing necessary forms with the right offices during your divorce proceedings. Without an experienced Riverside divorce lawyer handling these tasks for you, there is a risk you could overlook a procedural step and unintentionally cause significant delays in your divorce.

An attorney can also help you determine the best approach to dissolving your marriage. Conventional divorce may be disadvantageous to you and your spouse, and an attorney can help you secure a legal separation instead. Reliable legal representation also enables you to approach divorce mediation or arbitration with greater confidence if you and your spouse decide to pursue alternative dispute resolution.

Another important benefit to hiring an attorney is much easier access to professional experts who may need to weigh in on your case. Locating these expert witnesses on your own without an attorney can be incredibly challenging. When you hire an attorney, remember that you are also gaining access to a potentially vast network of professional experts who can help with your divorce case. Ultimately, you can consider your choice to hire an experienced Riverside divorce lawyer as an investment in your own peace of mind.

What to Expect from Divorce in California

California does not require divorcing spouses to provide a specific reason for ending their marriage. Irreconcilable differences are enough. Completing the process can be complex, especially regarding children and assets. The right attorney can help avoid conflict and streamline the process.

A couple may agree to file for divorce jointly or serve papers individually, but both will need to reach a divorce settlement—especially about children, custody, and property.

In California, a couple may agree to file for divorce jointly or one spouse may serve the other with divorce papers. In either case, the couple must eventually agree to a divorce settlement. If the couple has children together, they must determine a custody arrangement that serves their children’s best interests. The court in California has a duty to rule in favor of a child’s best interests when it comes to custody hearings, so parents going through the divorce process must remember this when it comes time to argue their cases for custody.

Child Custody and Support in Riverside Divorces

At the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic, our team knows how difficult divorce can be on kids. Parents have financial and emotional obligations to their children. We work hard to ensure fair and reasonable outcomes when it comes to child custody and child support determinations in California. Our ambition is to ensure your children have the safest and most constructive custody arrangement that incurs minimal disruption to their daily lives.

Child custody and child support determinations typically go hand-in-hand with divorce proceedings. In most cases, the custodial parent will receive child support from the noncustodial parent, but support arrangements typically hinge on the income of each parent. For example, if the custodial parent earns substantially more income than the noncustodial parent, the noncustodial parent may not need to pay child support. This ultimately comes down to either a mutual agreement reached through mediation or the court’s ruling on the divorce.

Property Division: Protecting Assets in Divorce

Another hotly contested area of divorce in Riverside, San Bernardino and throughout California is property division. California follows a strict 50/50 rule when it comes to community property in divorce. California state law defines “community property” as any assets gained by a couple throughout the course of their marriage. Each spouse may also have “separate” property that belongs to them individually. Separate property generally includes possessions owned prior to the marriage as well as gifts and inheritance received from other family members. As long as a spouse does not commingle these assets with shared assets in the marriage, they will remain separate property in divorce.

The Riverside family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic, we know how important your assets are, and we will work closely with you to determine your best available options for protecting your property and ensuring a fair property division process in your divorce proceedings.

How to Find the Right Riverside Divorce Lawyer for Your Case

Hiring an attorney is a major decision, especially when it comes to a case as important and potentially life-changing as your divorce. Virtually everyone who undergoes the divorce process experiences significant changes in their property rights, financial status, living situation, and many other aspects of their lives. You need to hire a legal representative with solid experience handling divorce cases similar to yours and the resources to ensure the most positive outcome possible.

While it is vital to secure legal representation as soon as possible when you are bracing for divorce, you should never rush the decision to hire an attorney. Take time to evaluate potential Riverside dissolution of marriage attorneys and choose the one who makes you feel most confident about their legal services and interpretation of your case. It’s a good idea to develop an extensive list of questions to ask potential attorneys during initial consultations.

Essential Questions to Ask Riverside Divorce Attorneys

You need to make informed decisions about your divorce, so it’s vital to choose a Riverside divorce lawyer who makes you feel comfortable and confident about the proceedings you’ll soon face. While you should draft some questions that are specific to your unique situation, a few standard questions to always ask a potential attorney before agreeing to their representation include the following:

• “How long have you handled divorce cases in California?” It’s vital to choose a Riverside divorce lawyer with verifiable experience handling divorce cases like yours.
• “What approach will you take in handling my divorce case?” You should find out how an attorney plans to represent your case if you agree to their representation. Ask frankly whether they plan to go to court on your behalf or whether they believe alternative dispute resolution would better suit your situation.
• “What is your opinion of my legal situation?” It’s wise to ask a potential Riverside divorce lawyer for their honest interpretation of your divorce case. This will help you gauge the attorney’s confidence in representing your side of the divorce and the result they expect from your proceedings.
• “How long can I expect results in my case?” Divorce will take quite a long time in California, even an uncontested one. The state maintains a mandatory six-month waiting period for approving divorce petitions. Ask your attorney how long your divorce proceedings may require beyond the mandatory waiting period based on the complexity of your case.
• “Do you have any areas of special interest or expertise that may assist in my divorce case?” Ask the attorney whether they have any experience with particular types of divorces, such as high net worth divorces, dissolutions involving prenuptial agreements, or annulment proceedings. Depending on your unique situation, your Riverside divorce lawyer’s areas of special interest and experience can be incredibly helpful during your divorce proceedings. For example, if you and your spouse control tens of millions of dollars in assets, call our firm. It’s best to choose a Riverside divorce lawyer with solid experience handling high net worth divorce cases in the area.
• “What potential issues do you notice in my case?” Every divorce is unique, and countless possible complications might arise and interrupt or extend your divorce proceedings. An experienced Riverside divorce lawyer should be able to identify potential obstacles in your divorce case quickly and accurately, so you are appropriately aware and prepared to address them.
• “How much does your legal counsel cost?” Legal fees are notoriously expensive, and many attorneys charge for their time by the hour. This can add up tremendously depending on how complex your divorce case is and how much time your attorney must spend working on it. Asking the attorney about their expectations for your divorce case’s timetable and clarification on the attorney’s billing practices should help you determine what to expect in terms of the cost of representing your divorce case.

These are basic questions that anyone heading into a divorce should ask of a potential Riverside divorce lawyer. Depending on the complexity of your case, you may have many more questions you need to ask before you feel comfortable enough to hire an attorney. Take your time with this process so you can be as sure as possible of your choice of legal representative.

Timelines for Divorce in California

One of the most important issues for many people headed for divorce in California is the time required to complete a divorce. On average, it takes over one year to completely finalize a divorce in California. However, unique factors such as children, high-value assets, and whether the spouses contest the divorce can cause these proceedings to last much longer in some cases. Hiring a divorce lawyer in Riverside, California can significantly speed up the process and ensure protection of your rights throughout all of your divorce proceedings in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas.

In California, if a divorcing couple can reach agreeable terms through mediation, the divorce will not need to proceed to a trial and will generally proceed much faster. The divorcing spouses must determine a fair and reasonable set of terms for property division as well as a child custody schedule. In some cases, a divorcing couple may “bifurcate” the divorce process. This allows the court to rule on the marital status and approve the divorce without making a ruling on the more complex issues such as child custody and property division. If one of the spouses wishes to remarry or complete a “single” tax filing for that year, these are good reasons to push for bifurcation.

FAQs

How long does a divorce take in Riverside County?

What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Riverside?

To file for divorce in Riverside County, you or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Riverside County for at least three months before filing.

What paperwork do I need to file for divorce?

You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons, along with financial disclosures. If both spouses agree, you can now file a joint petition under the 2025 law, which makes the process easier and removes the need to formally serve papers.

Can I file for divorce without an attorney?

Yes, you can represent yourself in Riverside County, but handling the paperwork, court rules, and negotiations alone can be tough and risky. Having an experienced lawyer helps protect your rights and increases the chance of a good outcome.

What is “no-fault” divorce?

California is a no-fault divorce state. This means you don’t have to blame your spouse or prove they did something wrong. You can simply say the marriage broke down due to “irreconcilable differences.” This makes the process easier and less confrontational.

What is the difference between community and separate property?

Community property is anything earned or bought during the marriage and is usually split equally. Separate property includes things owned before marriage, gifts, or inheritances. How and when money or assets were used can affect how they’re divided. Learn more at California Courts – Property & Debt in Divorce.

How is child custody decided?

Courts decide custody based on what’s best for the child, including their safety, health, and stability. Parents are encouraged to work together. Joint custody is common unless there’s a reason it’s not safe or suitable.

How is child support calculated?

California uses a set formula based on both parents’ incomes and how much time each spends with the child. Support usually goes to the parent who has the child more often, but the amount is adjusted to fit each family’s needs.

What are temporary orders in divorce?

These are short-term court orders for custody, support, or property use while the divorce is still pending. They help keep things stable until the divorce is final.

What is mediation, and is it required?

Mediation is a process where a neutral third person helps spouses agree on issues like custody or visitation. In Riverside County, it’s often required before court hearings on these matters. It’s usually faster, cheaper, and less stressful than going to trial.

What if my divorce is contested?

If you and your spouse can’t agree on issues like custody, support, or property, it’s a contested divorce. A judge will decide after hearings or trial. These cases take longer and usually require lawyers to help negotiate or argue in court. Learn more at California Courts – Divorce Decisions.

Contact Our Riverside Divorce Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Today!

We are here to help resolve all of your divorce-related issues. Call us at 951-888-0631. You may also contact us online and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. From our offices in Riverside, we provide legal counsel to people throughout Southern California.

Legal Resources for Divorce in Riverside, California

If you need more information, forms, or direct help, explore these official resources:

• California Courts Self-Help Divorce Guide
  https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-divorce.htm
  Step-by-step guide to divorce and legal separation for California residents.

• State Bar of California – Find Legal Help
  https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help
  For attorney searches, formal complaints, and general legal resources.