Family Law & Divorce Information
In 2008 it was estimated that approximately 40 percent of all marriages in the United States ended in divorce. It was also estimated that 46 percent of all marriages in that year involved one or both spouses who were divorced. As a result, divorce is considered a "common occurrence" in our society. However, when it happens to you it is anything but "common". The Orange County Law Offices of divorce attorney Marc E. Mitzner is here to serve you when you or a loved one is facing marriage dissolution.
Orange County Divorce Attorney
If you have decided upon divorce in Orange County - even if you were the first of the spouses to propose to end the marriage - it can still be a difficult and emotional time. In fact, divorce may often be considered the most volatile of court procedures. Because of this volatility and unpredictability, whether it be an uncontested or contested divorce, it is always advisable to hire a seasoned, practiced divorce lawyer. An individual can feel most confident and at ease when one knows that, should they need it, the help of an educated and aggressive attorney is there in any divorce situation. For more information, please see below:
The Divorce Process
When going through a divorce, it is helpful to know what to expect from the process. The state of California allows residents to file for "no-fault" divorces. The next step would be a hearing where any relevant documents are examined before a judge. Read more on the divorce process.
Uncontested Divorce
Even in uncontested divorces, there are still issues that will have to be addressed. Some of these include: spousal support, child support, property division, and visitation rights. A divorce attorney could be an invaluable help during this time to make sure that your rights are being protected. Read more on uncontested divorce.
Contested Divorce
Having a strong legal advocate on your side during a contested divorce will be of great benefit to you and your family. Any divorce case is emotionally stressful and difficult, but a contested divorce is even more so. Read more on contested divorce.
High Net Worth Divorce
Dealing with issues of property division, debt division, and spousal and child support are always difficult. However, when going through a high net worth divorce, the situation is even more complicated. Read more on high net worth divorce.
Military Divorces
There is one main difference between civilian divorces and military divorces. A military divorce permits the court to divide the retirement benefits according to the Uniformed Services Former Spouse's Protection Act. Read more on military divorces.
Divorce Mediation
Mediation in a divorce case is sometimes more advisable than taking the case to court. Divorce mediation takes place when a couple meets with a mediator in an effort to help them come to an agreement regarding child custody, property division, and more. Read more on divorce mediation.
Legal Separation
If for some reason you do not want to go through a divorce, legal separation is another option for marital dissolution. The couple then remains legally married while living separate lives. Read more on legal separation.
Annulment
An annulment differs from divorce in that it declares the marriage null and void. In fact, it states that the marriage never actually took place. As there are stipulations and time lines regarding this action, it is advisable to talk to an Orange County divorce attorney for more information. Read more on annulment.
Spousal Support
Also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, this refers to the payments of money that one spouse gives to the other after a divorce. Factors that the judge will take into account are length of time they were out of the workforce and standard of living the couple had. Read more on spousal support.
Property Division
Community property is the earnings and property acquired by a couple during their marriage. This also includes debts acquired by the couple. If any gifts or inheritances were given to just one spouse, this would be exempt from property division. Read more on property division.
Child Custody
One of the aspects of a divorce case is determining who will have sole custody of any children from the marriage. Even though both parents want what is best for their children, it is sometimes hard to come to an agreement regarding what that is. Read more on child custody.
Child Support
Child support is provided by one parent to the parent that has physical custody of the children. This usually is an emotional and personal issue, so it is helpful to have an impartial mediator to help with finding an agreement. Read more on child support.
Paternity
In some divorce cases, the question arises as to who the child's legal parents are. If this is your case, an attorney from our firm could review your case and legal options. Read more on paternity.
Visitation
When one former spouse has physical custody of the children, the other spouse will most likely have visitation rights. Some restrictions on this include: previous domestic abuse or if the parent has health or damaging lifestyle issues. Read more on visitation.
Modifications
There are many reasons why modifications to a divorce agreement may be necessary. Many things can change over time, including finances and location, and it may be in the best interests of the child to modify support or custody agreements. Read more on modifications.
Do not wait to contact an Orange County divorce attorney!
Too many times individuals come to an attorney "after the fact" trying to fix things; wanting to petition the court for modifications to their original divorce agreement. Just because the original proceedings were not done under the watchful eye of an experienced divorce lawyer who could have helped avoid many of the problems and pitfalls in the first place, are not grounds for a modification. Therefore, it is imperative to get the best lawyer you can from the beginning.
Don't let your rights and divorce goals be trampled. Marc E. Mitzner is an Orange County divorce lawyer with wide experience and confidence in divorce and family law. He offers a free consultation to evaluate your case.
Contact an Orange County divorce attorney from his firm as soon as possible!