Divorce
Divorce isn’t easy. Even the most equitable uncontested divorce case is a huge emotional burden on both parties. If a disagreement about the terms of a divorce spirals into a legal battle, however, it can sap time and money as quickly as it does the energy of the participants. In the California family court system, contested cases are rarely tried within a year, and it is increasingly difficult to obtain two consecutive court dates. This makes it nearly impossible to reach a timely resolution and prevent both spouses from moving forward and getting a fresh start.
We offer a number of options to help couples seek a fair outcome without having to navigate the court system. If spouses are willing to negotiate with one another on the terms of their divorce, mediation can often achieve in a matter of weeks what could take months in the court system. For clients who want to have an attorney advocate, but still avoid Court, then collaborative law is available to them.
Parenting
• Custody
- Legal: How will major decisions concerning the child be made?
- Physical: How will day-to-day decisions concerning the child be made?
- How will changes in custody be decided?
• Parenting Plan
- With whom will the children be daily? weekends? holidays? special days?
- When and with what notice can a parent take the child out of state? Out of the country?
- When and how must one parent notify the other of a change in plans?
Financial Issues
• Children
- Child support
- Health-care coverage
- Educational expenses
- Life insurance or will provide to ensure payment of child support
- Provisions for adjustments in child-support payments
• The Parties
- Spousal Support (Alimony)
- Amount
- Time period
- Step down provisions
- Seek work orders
- Modifications
- Health-care coverage
Property Division
- Real estate, including the family home
- Cash, checking, and savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, other investments
- Pensions, retirement funds, Social Security, etc.
- Personal property (cars, furniture, jewelry, collectibles, household articles)
- Payment of outstanding liabilities
- Business interests
- Employer-provided benefits including stock options
Tax consequences
- Child support
- Alimony
- Dependency exemption
- Capital gains
- Provision for existing tax liabilities and for tax refunds
General Provisions
- All identifying data
- Dispute resolution and who will pay for mediation, arbitration, and court fees
- Attorney’s fees
No matter what your goals for your divorce case, our firm have the resources and experience to help you seek the best possible resolution. Contact our firm for an initial consultation about your legal issue.
If you are considering divorce or have been served with divorce papers, please contact Pauline Rosen for an initial consultation. She can be reached by phone at 310-373-9300, by E-mail, or by filling out the intake form on the Contact page.