It find that it helps to simplify the big picture and answer the general question of all the ways parties can get divorced (or unmarried).
There are four main ways to get unhitched. First, you can do it by consent. This article mostly deals with this option, as it is the most common. Second, you can do it by default. There is still a statutory waiting period, but this happens when one of the parties fails to respond. Although probably the least costly, it’s also not predictable because feuding parties rarely know when the other side is unwilling to respond (or willing to not respond). We can advise you when it is more likely. Third, marriages end when one side files, parties do not agree, and then the judge decides. This is divorce by judgement. All three of those options are divorce by order.
The fourth option is less obvious. Of course, you’ll no longer be married if one party dies. I’m not thinking of murder here. We’ve seen older clients, usually marrying later in life after a first (or subsequent) marriage, and where one wants to divorce because of how property is titled. The pressure usually comes from the children, who won’t inherit if their parent dies because of there’s rights of survivorship. Usually it is the party that worries is the one with poor health. COVID-19 heightened this issue. But there are other ways to handle this issue besides divorce. That’s if parties agree. In the case I had, my client was the party in better health. He didn’t want the divorce. She filed and served him, after the children put pressure on her. In my consultation, I told him to take a vacation to visit his children and grandchildren. She needed him so much that she dismissed the divorce when he told her he was going away for a week. He shortened his trip and they’re working it out.
Divorce is costly. Of course, that goes beyond the money. As someone who wades into the mess with you, I’ll never minimize the challenges you face. Sure, I strive to simplify them. I am married with children, and I’ve worked through so many sensitive issues with so many clients and even close friends, where I know it is very difficult. It is very stressful. Very few can do it themselves.
What is the least expensive way to divorce?
While Divorce by Default is probably the least expensive, it is also the most unpredictable. Divorce by consent is the least expensive route that is predictable. We can discount the more predictable scopes of work.
We promise to give you a Simple, Affordable, Peace of Mind. As stated elsewhere on this site, “affordable” does not mean cheap or free. It means we strive to use your resources most effectively toward your benefit. We offer Flat Fees when the work is predictable. If parties agree on everything, we can get them through the process at a very low and competitive rate. While lawyers do not guarantee results, it is about as close to guarantee as possible if parties come into the office and agree on divorce, custody, and everything else. The custody and everything else is the difficult part.
What if you think you might have an uncontested divorce but you’re not completely sure?
If you know you have a uncontested divorce or whether you’re interested to learn whether you can obtain one, please register for a consultation by filling out the form along the sidebar, indicating such.
Sometimes parties might have an uncontested divorce and we can coach them to that point. Even if we cannot get an uncontested divorce, we always strive for as much peace as possible, looking to learn from the other side’s positions to benefit our client’s positions, ultimately wanting the best for the children (if you have children).
What if all we have is property (and debt) to divide?
I am a lawyer with a real estate background. My dad and mentor was a real estate broker and investor. My wife and brother are also realtors. I was a realtor before I was an attorney. I consider myself more of a property law attorney than a divorce lawyer. Our firm is well positioned to help you with property related issues. We even offer discounts to bundle the real estate and legal services.
Our firm uniquely works well with real estate professionals. The benefit is significant, especially during the sensitivity of divorce, where the smoothness of the transaction directly corresponds with effectively getting through the divorce process.
Plus, we find that our client should know the way community property law works. We’ve seen parties do it on their own with document preparers and fail to realize what the law entitles them to receive. Sometimes people just want out, but it is a painful hindsight reality that is worth spending the brief amount of time to realize and avoid. We’ll simplify this understanding in a very short session.
In conclusion, in Divorce Law, when we say we look to give you a Simple, Affordable, Peace of Mind, we mean that we want you to achieve the most cost effective, most peaceful, and simple (clearly determined) way possible. We want you to know your rights and we want
