North Hollywood, CA asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for California

Q: What preparations are needed to file for a divorce?

The first time filing, mother of three ( 1 stepdaughter). work is a difficult subject to discuss right now, but was working 5-10 hours per week in administrative work for my husband's business ( although he stopped paying me two weeks ago now ). Previous to that, was a clinical research coordinator ( quit on Feb. 2023 ).

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Here are some of the preparations you need to make to file for a divorce in California:

*Gather your financial information. This includes your income, expenses, assets, and debts. You can use a divorce financial worksheet to help you organize this information.

*Gather your children's information. This includes their birth certificates, medical records, and school records.

*Hire an attorney. An attorney can help you understand the divorce process and represent you in court.

*File your petition for divorce. You can file your petition for divorce with the Superior Court in the county where you live.

*Serve your spouse with the petition. You can serve your spouse with the petition by mail, in person, or by publication.

*Attend a settlement conference. If you and your spouse can agree on the terms of your divorce, you can attend a settlement conference with a judge.

*Finalize your divorce. If you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your divorce, you will need to go to trial. After the trial, the judge will issue a judgment of divorce.

Here are some additional tips for filing for a divorce in California:

*Start the process early. The divorce process can take several months or even years, so it is important to start the process early.

*Be organized. The divorce process can be complex, so it is important to be organized and to keep track of all of your paperwork.

*Be prepared to compromise. It is unlikely that you will be able to get everything you want in your divorce. Be prepared to compromise with your spouse in order to reach an agreement.

*Get help from an attorney. An attorney can help you understand the divorce process and represent you in court.

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