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Dissolution	Spousal Support
Child Support	Fees and Payment Options

The following is a overview of Family Law in the state of California. We hope you find this information useful.

In order to file for a divorce in California, you must be a resident of California for six (6) months prior to filing the Petition. You must also be a resident of the County in which you intend to file for at least three (3) months prior to filing the Petition.

California is a no fault state. This means that allegations of infidelity and other such claims are irrelevant regardless of their accuracy. The basis for filing divorce is that irreconcilable differences exist between the two spouses which cause the separation.

California is a community property state. In other words, it is a 50/50 State. This means that all assets (pensions, property, etc.) accumulated during the marriage are to be divided up equally regardless of who earned the money or asset. There is an exception for couples who entered into a prenuptial agreement.

Any assets that were obtained prior to marriage and are easily traceable are considered separate property. That is, they will not be divided.

A Dissolution is a divorce. It signifies the termination of the marriage. On the other hand, a couple who is legally separated remains married. As a result of a legal separation, however, all assets and debts are separated and any new debts incurred or assets acquired by one spouse does not become community property. It is separate property of the spouse who incurred the debt or acquired the asset.

Legal separation is often preferred for spouses who wish to separate but cannot divorce for religious reasons. Or perhaps someone is not ready for divorce but does not want to be liable for future debts incurred by their spouse and still wants to benefit from their spouse's medical benefits plan.

It is important to know that whichever you decide to do, you cannot force your spouse to remain married to you. Therefore, if you decide you want to be legally separated but your spouse wants a divorce, California courts will not obligate your spouse to remain married and will grant the divorce.

Please note that you must wait six (6) months after the date of serving the petition before a divorce can become final.

A major factor on which spousal support is decided is the length of the marriage. Generally, the date of marriage is an uncontested date. The date of separation, however, is often an issue of debate. The general rule in determining the date of separation is that you use the day that the parties physically separate and at least one spouse has the intention to end the marriage. This may or may not be an important issue in your case. Our attorneys will be happy to discuss this issue with you should you decide to come in for a free initial consultation.

Once you determine the length of marriage, then you are ready to determine whether you qualify for spousal support or whether you may be obligated to pay spousal support. In the case of a long term marriage, the court may award spousal support indefinitely. In the case of a short term marriage, the court may award spousal support. Spousal support for a short term marriage will often be awarded for a time period equaling approximately one half the length of marriage. Please note that an award of spousal support will only be granted if there is a disparity in income. Our attorneys will be happy to assist you in determining whether or not under the facts of your case, you are likely to be awarded or likely to pay spousal support.

Factors which may affect this number include, but are not limited to, mandatory pension deductions, health care benefits deductions, and child support paid for children from another marriage. Child Support will be awarded for the support of minor children. Child Support obligations terminate when a child is emancipated, turns 19, or turns 18 and is no longer a full time high school student.