Brea Divorce Lawyer

Brea Divorce Attorney

No one gets married expecting to have to go through a divorce later down the line. While common, divorce is still extremely difficult for most people to go through. The legal decisions made during divorce proceedings can dramatically alter the rest of your life. Working with a Brea divorce lawyer can be pivotal to the outcome of your case.

Hire a Divorce Lawyer

When experiencing the drastic emotional and personal changes that come with divorce, you need a lawyer who puts empathy at the forefront. The team at Cianci Law, PC, is here for you. Our team helps California clients with various aspects of family law. We know how difficult it can be to navigate divorce and are here to help transparently explain things so you can make informed decisions about your future.

Understanding Divorce in Brea, California

Brea is known for being one of the most successful cities in Orange County, with new homes, a bigger shopping mall, and a major downtown redevelopment project. As of 2023, 6-11% of Brea residents were divorced. For couples wanting to divorce, California law requires that at least one spouse has to have lived in the state for six months before filing, as well as three months in the county where the case is being filed.

When the divorce forms are filed with the court, you’ll need to pay a filing fee to the court. Once the fee is paid, the filing spouse will need to serve the other spouse with divorce papers.

A divorce in California takes at least six months to finalize, and that’s only if divorce issues are solved without disputes. Depending on the couple, these issues can vary drastically.

It’s important to hire a divorce lawyer to help guide you through this process. They’ll be able to make sure that your rights aren’t violated at any point. You’ll have 60 days to fully disclose your financial information to your spouse, and they’ll have 60 days to respond.

You’ll then start conversations about how to:

• Split your joint property
• Handle finances
• Support any children

Courts generally encourage couples to solve these issues without court interference, but will step in to make a decision if you and your spouse cannot.

Summary Dissolution

The process of divorce can be an arduous one. Qualifying California couples have an alternative option called summary dissolution. This type of divorce is quicker and simpler than regular divorce proceedings. To qualify, the couple must:

1. Have been married for five years or less
2. Not have children
3. Not own real estate
4. Have $4,000 or less in debts, not counting car loans
5. Have under $25,000 in total value of shared property, not counting cars or loans
6. Have under $25,000 in separate property

The couple must also sign a written agreement dividing their property and debts. They’ll also have to give up any rights to spousal support and waive the right to appeal or request a new trial.

To start the process, both spouses file a joint petition with the court. The court will then finalize the divorce six months after the joint petition is filed.

Spousal Support

With the average Brea income being $67,187 as of 2023, spousal support is often a contested issue during divorce. This financial support is paid from one spouse to the other. When deciding whether or not to grant spousal support, the court looks at many factors. These include but are not limited to:

• Each person’s ability to earn enough to maintain the standard of living of the marriage
• The paying spouse’s ability to provide financial support
• Each spouse’s needs, assets, and debts
• The length of the marriage
• The health and age of both spouses

A reasonable time for support is half the length of the marriage, unless the marriage lasted 10 years or more. In these cases, the court can decide to keep the support going indefinitely, but can also choose to later terminate it. Failing to pay spousal support can have dire consequences. The court can collect payment from wages, community property, or other assets.

Why Choose Us?

The team at Cianci Law, PC, has years of experience helping California residents overcome their most difficult times. Family law can be emotionally and financially taxing. We’re here to make the process as seamless as possible.

Your needs and desires come first when drafting our legal strategy. We do everything we can to help our clients get the most favorable outcome possible and regularly represent them at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, located at 341 The City Drive South in Orange.

FAQs

How Is Property Divided in a California Divorce?

In California, when a couple gets divorced, the court divides the property they acquired together during the marriage. This property is called community property and is split between the couple equally, unless the spouses can agree otherwise. Generally, anything acquired during marriage, such as property, income, or even debts, is community property.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is an alternative method used by California courts to help spouses resolve various divorce issues without needing to go to trial or have courts make the final decision. A neutral third-party professional, called a mediator, helps facilitate healthy communication between the couple to resolve their issues and come to an agreement. The mediator doesn’t make any legal decisions, but helps each side feel heard.

How Is Child Support Calculated in California?

Child support is calculated in Brea, California by using a statewide guideline. The main goal is to make sure children receive sufficient support while considering various familial factors. Both parents are responsible for supporting their children. Child support continues until the child turns 18, finishes 12th grade or turns 19.

What Are California’s Child Custody Laws?

In California, both parents of a minor child generally have an equal right to custody. When deciding custody, the court always considers the best interests of the child. This includes the child’s safety and relationship with each parent. California courts do not favor one gender over another when determining child custody.

Choose a Trusted Brea Divorce Firm – Creative Family Solutions

When you work with the team at Cianci Law, PC, you aren’t just another case number. We’re proud to help uplift our clients during challenging times. We serve residents of Brea and surrounding California towns. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Brea Divorce Lawyer Reviews

Brea Divorce Resources:

• Adoptive Parents & Divorce
• How to Identify Signs of Stress in Children After Divorce