Q: How long would it take to file for summary dissolution?
I am married for 4 years and we don't have any kids, property, or debt together as we live in my spouse's family home. If we do not have a lot to settle between us and are in agreement to end the marriage, how long would it take for us to work together and file the request for summary dissolution? Not including the time that we have to wait for the court decision. Would we still need a lawyer for this?
A:
Under California law, if you meet the requirements for summary dissolution, you and your spouse can prepare and file the necessary paperwork relatively quickly, often within a matter of days, provided you both agree and work together promptly. The required forms include a Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution, which outlines your agreement.
While hiring a lawyer is not a legal necessity, it's advisable to consult one to ensure that the summary dissolution process is appropriate for your situation and that all forms are correctly completed. Legal assistance can also help prevent potential legal issues in the future. Once your paperwork is in order, it's a matter of submitting it to the court. Remember, after filing, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period before the dissolution becomes final, but this time frame begins after you file, not when you start preparing the documents.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
