Paul A. Pettine Family Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Breaking up is hard to do—sometimes. Deciding on divorce in California means acknowledging your relationship is over and that you must take steps to legitimatize that ending, provide for any children, and protect rights to income and assets accumulated over time. But how do you start?

Whether your marriage or domestic partnership spanned three or thirty years, the steps toward divorce, called dissolution in California, are the same. When you are sure dissolution is the answer, contact an experienced divorce attorney in California. Your initial meeting with a lawyer will provide information, structure, and direction on how you might want to handle divorce, what decisions lie ahead, and how much the process will cost.

While speaking with a divorce lawyer is essential to understanding unique aspects or problems of your particular divorce matter, understanding general information about the California divorce process is important. Consider the following points:

• Why. California is a no-fault divorce state. No-fault means no reason, or ground, other than irreconcilable differences is required in order for you to initiate the dissolution process to end your marriage. Because of the no-fault provision, neither spouse must prove blame to end the marriage.
• What. Divorce, legal separation, and annulment are the only three ways to end a marriage or registered domestic partnership in California. Divorce is the most common process, although legal separation can benefit couples unable to divorce for residency or other reasons. Annulment is rare.
• When. Filing for dissolution in California requires one party be a resident of California for six months, and a resident of the county of filing for three months. An uncontested divorce can be finalized in six months from date of filing and service—but not sooner. A contested divorce usually takes much longer and is far more expensive.
• Which. Married life is the accumulation of experience, assets—and family. Upon filing for dissolution, agreements are needed concerning the marital estate and children of the relationship. Unless parties can agree on the issues, a court will make determinations on the following:
  
  
  • Child custody and a time-share plan
  • Child support
  • Spousal support
  • Division of assets and debt

If divorce is necessary, everybody hopes for a good ending to his or her marriage. Sometimes you can get it. If considering dissolution, talk to our Santa Barbara divorce attorneys and start yourself down a different road. Visit our office at Wilson & Pettine, LLP, 1006 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101, or call us at 805.564.2191.