How divorce is handled, and the finalized agreement can have a significant impact on a person’s life, and it is vital that you secure a skilled attorney for your case. When you are going through a divorce, you need to seek representation from a Westlake Village divorce attorney who will fight to ensure you are treated fairly. At the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, we are going to handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on the next chapter of your life.
Divorce cases involve many complex issues
Divorce is common in the US. According to the Statistical Atlas, approximately 11% of people in Westlake Village are divorced. Though nobody gets into marriage planning on separation, there are times when it is in both spouses’ best interests to part ways.
When a divorce occurs, there are various issues that need to be agreed upon by both parties before the divorce can be finalized. Consider the following aspects that can impact a divorce:
- All marital assets must be divided equitably between the two parties
- Any debts acquired by either party will be divided equally
- Spousal support payments may be necessary
Each of these issues can be complicated, especially for those with higher incomes and marriages that have lasted for longer periods of time.
If there are children involved
If a divorcing couple has children under the age of 18, the divorce process can be even more complicated. Issues of which parent(s) get legal and physical custody need to be decided. By law, both parents are required to support their children after divorce or separation. Child support payments will be calculated using a formula from the state of California.
The California family court system wants to balance the best interests of both parents with the interests of any children involved.
Understanding alimony in California
In California, the court may determine that spousal support should be ordered. Spousal support, also commonly referred to as alimony, is when the spouse of lesser means receives money from the other spouse during the divorce process, after the divorce is finalized, or both.
The purpose of spousal support is to provide a relatively smooth transition from the marital situation to a separated household for the lower-income spouse. This helps ensure that both parties walk away from the marriage in a balanced financial setting.
There are various types of spousal support in California:
- Temporary: This type of spousal support may be awarded by a judge for the time period between when the divorce is filed and when it is finalized. Temporary spousal support will end when the divorce is finalized.
- Rehabilitative: This type of spousal support is the most common type awarded, and is common in cases where one spouse earns more than the other or was the primary earner for the family while the other cared for children at home. The goal of rehabilitative spousal support is to give the lower-earning spouse enough time to gain job skills or education so they can enter the workforce.
- Permanent: This type of spousal support is relatively rare but is more likely to be awarded for longer marriages and situations where one spouse cannot enter the workforce due to age or illness.
Is mediation an option for your case?
At the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, one option you have is mediation. Our trained family law mediators may be able to help both parties decide all of the issues mentioned above without having to take the case to court. For uncontested divorces, mediation can be a less contentious and less costly path towards separation.
The court may order mediation, particularly when there are disputes related to child custody.
Highlighting the importance of a Westlake Village divorce attorney
We understand that you are on our page looking for answers concerning whether or not you should work with an attorney for your divorce. We do not want to pressure you into working with an attorney if it is something you absolutely do not want to do. However, please understand that, in making a choice not to work with an attorney, there is a chance that you may be treated unfairly by your spouse and their attorney.
Even uncontested divorces should be reviewed by trained legal counsel to ensure that you are being treated fairly in the outcome of your divorce. For contested divorces, when any of the issues mentioned above are in contention, having an attorney by your side is going to be crucial. An attorney will be able to handle the situation without involving the emotions that will inevitably be present. Often, people make unusually rash decisions when going through the divorce process, and the job of your Westlake Village divorce lawyer will be to prevent this from happening.
We will work to get you through this
If you are going through the divorce process, you should not do this alone. A skilled Westlake Village divorce attorney will expertly navigate each of these issues for you. Trying to handle a divorce case on your own can be complicated. Most spouses are emotionally entangled in the situation, which can cloud good judgment. At the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, we have decades of combined experience to bring to your side. Our Westlake Village divorce attorneys will work to ensure you are treated fairly as they handle all aspects of your divorce. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling (818) 707-0202.
