Orange County Divorce Lawyers

Types of Divorce Cases

Just as no two marriages are the same, all divorces are unique. We have handled countless cases and have negotiated and litigated nearly every issue imaginable in family law matters. While each divorce is different, bringing unique personalities and separate issues, most if not all of the issues will have some resemblance to issues our office has handled in the past. Let our office experience help you meet your goals in your divorce case. Some of the different types of divorces we see on a regular basis include the following:

• Contested divorces. Every divorce involves several major issues: division of property, division of debt, spousal support, custody of children, and child support. There are other issues to work through, but these are the major ones. When these issues cannot be settled on their own, they must be resolved in court. While it can be tempting to handle the details on your own, you will have a much better chance of obtaining a favorable outcome when you partner with an experienced divorce attorney. Most if not every time a "pro per" litigant attempts to handle a case on their own, disastrous results occur. This is because the court is obligated to hold self-represented litigants to the standard of an attorney. They must know all the rules and can find it difficult to prepare the correct paperwork, provide the right format for evidence, and understand the legal language used by the opposing counsel and the judge. Additionally, with the right help divorcing litigants can help assure their case is done correctly, which will ultimately save thousands of dollars.
• Uncontested divorces. Even when a divorce is uncontested, it is necessary to use a skilled attorney to navigate the legal process of paperwork and filings. Miscues and gaffes on the front end of a divorce can cause trouble down the road. An experienced Orange County divorce attorney will help you avoid these mistakes. Our office often provides a wide range of representation options, and we have an option for every budget.
• Annulments. Annulments occur when the court determines a marriage or domestic partnership is not legally valid or binding. This may be the result of (1) force, fraud, or incapacity; (2) a situation where one of the spouses/partners wasn’t old enough to legally marry; (3) one of the spouses/partners was already married; or (4) the marriage or partnership is incestuous or bigamous. Annulments are actually quite rare, but not unheard of. When these situations arise, they are typically very complicated and require considerable legal experience.
• Dissolution of domestic partnerships. Much like marriages, domestic partnerships can come to an end. These situations are called dissolution matters also and require the same legal experience as divorces. The process, procedure and law is nearly identical to divorce matters.
• Legal separations. When divorce isn’t desirable, but there is a need to live apart and "legally" separate from each other, a legal separation is the best solution. A legal separation keeps your marriage intact but helps decide how money, property, and other assets will be distributed. After filing for a legal separation, the judge can order child support, spousal/partner support, custody orders, restraining orders, and other necessary elements in the case.

What is the Divorce Rate Trend in Orange County?

The rates of divorce in California are some of the highest in the country. But what about Orange County specifically? According to the last U.S. Census data, here are the percentages from 2009 to 2016:

2009: 9.2%

2010: 9.0%

2011: 9.1%

2012: 9.0%

2013: 9.1%

2014: 9.1%

2015: 9.1%

2016: 9.0%

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For a free case evaluation and confidential consultation, contact us today! We will give you a complimentary case outlook and let you know what can reasonably be expected and how we suggest proceeding. You can reach our Orange County family lawyers at (949) 955-9155.