Contested Divorce Attorney in Los Angeles, California
While California is a ‘no fault state’ as far as divorces go, meaning either party can file for “dissolution of marriage” or ‘legal separation’ without the showing-of- any fault on behalf of the other party on the grounds of: (a) Irreconcilable differences (b) Incurable insanity (only upon proof). {Based on California Family Code - Sections: 2310}
Whether you are considering a contested or uncontested divorce the advice of an attorney will be very helpful. At The Law Offices of Elena Mebtahi we will give you a clear picture of what you can expect so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Contested Divorce May Be Your Only Option
While uncontested divorce saves a great deal of time and money for divorcing parties, it may not be the best option for some clients. The court now accepts one party’s claim of irreconcilable differences with or without the other party’s agreement, but what can be filed on contested or uncontested grounds is not what defines a contested or uncontested divorce.
California Law has certain procedural requirements for granting any type of divorce and depending on the circumstances, various court documents will need to be filed for a contested divorce such as:
- Petition asking court to grant divorce
- Summons and proper servicing
- Declaration of Finances
- Obtain Divorce Hearing Dates as it becomes necessary
- Requesting a trial date
- Preparation of proper discovery and all necessary motions
It takes one spouse to file the initial petition and both parties to determine how the divorce will proceed:
A qualified attorney always prefers the best option for their client AND prepared to ACT on whatever it happens to be. For example, many divorce petitions start out with the intent of an uncontested divorce and often spark into a dispute during any point of the process. The best quality of counsel will first assess the priorities of your personal situation, to evaluate what is worth maintaining in an agreement and what to ignite as the litigation strategy to best position you for a contested divorce.
Preparing for what can go far beyond the voluntary disclosures in the uncontested divorce, a thorough attorney will help you foresee every possibility into a Discovery process that could demand every detail of your finances or consider where a private investigator might be digging into your life. With the nature of a contested divorce case being the possibility of hidden ulterior motives to a full fledged war, the concern for a client must also protect them from further consequences of what can be brought into court.
How to ensure the best representation for every possibility?
An attorney with expertise in family law, the specific experience where it often combines fathers’ rights with criminal law and the general efficiency for what applies to anyone even with minor traffic laws. The Law Offices of Elena Mebtahi have the experience and resources to help you. Our team is dedicated to helping you resolve your divorce in the best manner. Call us at 310-207-4005 to discuss your situation with an attorney.
