Pasadena Divorce Attorney for Lawyers
Pasadena Divorce For Lawyers
When two individuals decide to marry, they enter what is supposed to be a lifelong commitment. Unfortunately, sometimes marriages do not last, and when that happens, the couple may choose to go through a divorce for the best interest of themselves and their children.
The process of ending a marriage is highly emotional and can be incredibly complex, especially if there are disagreements about finances, property, or child custody. This is why it is important to have an experienced Pasadena divorce lawyer on your side to guide you through the process with care and protect your rights to ensure you are not taken advantage of.
Representing Attorneys in a Divorce
At the Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon, we have been helping clients navigate the complex waters of divorce for many years as the area’s family law specialist. We understand that this can be a painful time for you and your family, and we do everything in our power to help you get through it as smoothly as possible.
We have a team of experienced attorneys who are dedicated to providing you with the best possible representation required to protect your finances, family, and future. If you are considering filing for divorce or have already been served with divorce papers, please do not hesitate to connect with our office for a consultation. We are always standing by, ready to assist the Pasadena community as the area’s premier family law firm.
Is It Necessary to Hire a Pasadena Divorce Attorney?
For other attorneys, filing for divorce can be a daunting process, and it is often tempting to try to go through it without the help of another lawyer. However, this is not a decision to be taken lightly, as there are many things at stake during a divorce. For example, if you and your spouse own a house, there is a good chance that you need to go through a property division process in which the court decides how to split up the assets.
If you have children, you also need to come up with a custody and visitation arrangement that meets your family’s needs. To ensure your rights are protected and that you get the best possible outcome in your divorce, it is always advisable to hire a Pasadena divorce lawyer.
The standard value and expertise a Pasadena divorce lawyer can add to your case includes:
- Knowledge of local family law and court procedures
- Understanding how to protect your financial interests
- Ability to negotiate on your behalf
- Experience representing clients in court proceedings
- Connections to local resources, such as mediators and expert witnesses
The risk of not having an attorney is that you may not be fully informed of your rights and obligations, which could lead to a less favorable outcome in your divorce. It is always advisable to speak with an attorney about your specific situation to better understand what you can expect and begin strategizing how to advance your interests.
What Are Common Elements of a Pasadena Divorce?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the details of each divorce vary depending on the couple’s unique situation. However, some common elements, which can be very emotionally charged, often arise during a Pasadena divorce:
- Property division. Property division covers who keeps the family home or other real estate, as well as the division of retirement accounts and other assets.
- Finances. This can include who should pay household bills, how much alimony or child support should be paid, and who should be responsible for the debt incurred during the marriage.
- Child custody and visitation. Child custody covers who should have custody of the children, how much visitation time should be granted to the other parent, and how decisions about the children should be made.
The intricacies of divorce law can seem overwhelming, but this is because legally separating two people who have highly integrated lives is no easy task. By working with an experienced Pasadena divorce lawyer, you can rest assured that you are in good hands to separate your lives in a way that is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Is Divorce Mediation Right for Me as an Attorney?
One possible way to resolve some of the disputes that can arise during a divorce is mediation. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps the couple come to an agreement on disputed issues. This can be a less expensive and more amicable option than going to court, and it can often lead to a more satisfactory resolution for all involved. However, not everyone is suited for mediation, and it is essential to speak with an attorney to see if it is the right option for you.
Couples who could benefit from mediation are:
- Open to compromise
- Agreeable to working together to resolve disputes
- Have mutual respect for one another
- Can communicate effectively
Couples may want to consider bypassing mediation if:
- One person feels like the other is not cooperating or trying hard enough.
- There is a lot of anger and resentment between the couple.
- The couple cannot agree on anything.
- One partner committed an act of domestic violence or other crime, and the marriage is no longer safe or viable to maintain.
It is important to keep in mind that mediation is not a perfect process, and it is possible for disputes to arise during mediation. However, working with a mediator can often be a more productive approach than going to court if both parties are willing to work together.
How Is Spousal Support Determined?
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment one spouse makes to the other spouse after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the receiving spouse keep a lifestyle that is similar to the one they had become accustomed to and relied on during the marriage. How alimony is determined depends on a variety of factors, such as:
- The length of the marriage
- The income and assets of each spouse
- The needs of the receiving spouse
- The ability of the paying spouse to pay alimony
Alimony is not guaranteed in every divorce, but it is highly encouraged to check out the details of your state’s alimony laws to see if you might be entitled to receive payments. These payments can make the difference between being able to get on your feet after a divorce and struggling financially.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in California?
It’s difficult to give a definitive answer to this question, as the cost of a divorce can vary greatly depending on the circumstances. Factors that can contribute to the cost of divorce include:
- The amount of litigation (court) required
- The number of contested issues
- Whether or not the couple can agree on key issues
- The attorney fees of both spouses
Generally speaking, the more contested the divorce is and the more legal fees that are incurred, the more expensive the divorce can be. However, there are ways to significantly decrease the overall cost of a divorce, such as through mediation or by working with an experienced Pasadena family law attorney who can help you negotiate a fair settlement. Depending on the outcome of your case, the cost of a lawyer could far outweigh the cost of a divorce.
Tips for Reducing Conflict During a Pasadena Attorney Divorce
No one goes into the process of divorce expecting it to be easy, but there are ways to reduce the amount of conflict between the parties. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Stay calm and try not to react emotionally. This might be easier said than done, but reacting emotionally can result in bad decisions that can come back to haunt you later on.
- Don’t talk about the divorce with your friends and family. This includes venting to your friends on social media. It’s important to keep the details of your divorce between you and your spouse while it’s going on.
- Don’t badmouth your spouse to the kids. This only makes things more difficult for them and can damage your relationship with them in the long run.
- Try to maintain a civil relationship with your spouse. Even if you are not getting along, it’s important to maintain a civil relationship for the sake of your kids, if you have any. This doesn’t mean you have to be best friends, but at least try to be respectful of each other.
- Focus on the future. Remember that this is a difficult time, but it is important to focus on the future and what you want for yourself and your family. Divorce is sometimes the best option for a couple that is no longer compatible, so stay positive and focus on the future you want.
If you can follow these tips, it can help reduce the amount of conflict between you and your spouse, making the divorce process a little smoother.
Contact the Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon Today
If you are an attorney considering a divorce, it’s important to speak with an experienced family lawyer who can advise you on your best course of action. The Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon have been helping other attorneys and families in Pasadena and the surrounding areas to resolve their family law issues with grace and minimal conflict. The attorneys at our firm have years of experience and are skilled in all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody, and alimony.
Contact us today to begin the process of getting the help and guidance you need during this difficult time. We are excited to provide you with the same professional and caring service we have given to many other pleased other Pasadena clients.
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The mediation process provides a more peaceful alternative to fighting about your personal issues in court. Read more to see if divorce mediation is right for you.
Collaboration brings attorneys, mental health professionals & accountants together to resolve family issues without going to court. Read more to see if a Collaborative Divorce is right for you.
Litigation in the divorce process involves submitting issues to family court in order to resolve them with the assistance of a judge, if both parties cannot reach an agreement in other ways. Read more to see if Divorce Litigation will be needed.
