Divorce Lawyer Near Me

Divorce Lawyer Near Me

While divorce is difficult on an emotional level, it is also a challenging legal matter that will directly affect both your post-divorce finances and your parental rights. If you are facing a divorce, reaching out to an experienced California divorce lawyer near you is the most important first step you can take. 

Resolving Your Divorce Terms

While your divorce will not fit a preset mold, the basic terms that are necessary to resolve do not vary, including (as applicable):

• The division of your marital property
• Your child custody and parenting time
• Child support
• Alimony (or spousal support)

You will need the court to make determinations on your behalf for any terms that you are ultimately unable to resolve between yourselves.

Dividing Your Marital Assets

Those assets and properties that you acquire over the course of your marriage are considered marital, which means that you and your spouse own them together – regardless of how you acquired them or who paid for them. Upon divorce, these marital assets (or their value) must be divided between you equally. The divorce terms that are most likely to become contentious include the division of your marital assets and child custody. 

Child Custody and Parenting Time

Child custody in California is divided into both physical and legal custody. Physical custody is addressed as parenting time, and it sets your parenting schedule – or when your children are with you and when they are with their other parent. While schedules can vary considerably, your basic options include splitting your time relatively evenly or one of you becoming the primary custodial parent and having the children with you the majority of the time. 

Legal custody, which can be either sole or joint, determines how you will address the matter of making primary parenting decisions moving forward. 

Child Support

Child support is the mechanism employed by the state to help balance your children’s financial support between you and your ex. Although many elements can play a role in how child support is calculated, the primary determinative factors include your incomes and your parenting time schedules. Even, however, if your parenting time is divided equally, the parent who is the higher earner is likely to pay child support. 

Alimony

The State of California refers to alimony as “spousal support,” and it is typically ordered in those divorces in which one spouse is unable to continue supporting himself or herself financially once the marriage ends. Generally, alimony is ordered for an amount of time that allows the recipient to obtain the job training or the education necessary to become more financially stable. 

Turn to an Experienced California Divorce Lawyer Near You for the Legal Guidance You Need

If you are facing a divorce, the trusted California divorce lawyers at Miranda, Magden & Miranda, LLP, in Monterey are standing by to help. We have the experience, drive, and compassion to skillfully advocate for a favorable case resolution that upholds your rights and allows you to move forward with greater ease. For more information, please do not delay reaching out and contacting us today.