Divorce Attorney In Hermosa Beach, CA
There is a lot on the line in a divorce case, from your children’s well-being to your financial stability. Having a Hermosa Beach divorce lawyer throughout this process can help you make critical decisions and navigate the legal procedures.
Kramer & Zitser, LLP: Skilled Divorce Lawyers
With over 50 years of combined experience, the two senior attorneys at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, have set a high bar of professionalism and empathy toward every client. A divorce is a major transitional period in your life, with many legal considerations. Our Hermosa Beach family lawyers can help you secure a favorable asset division, protect your children, and set up fair financial support to make sure you have stability after your divorce.
Understanding Divorce in Hermosa Beach
Many California families are impacted by divorce. There were 108,403 marital cases in the fiscal year 2024 in California. In Hermosa Beach, 8% of men and 10% of women are divorced.
In Hermosa Beach, the divorce process varies from case to case. Generally, the process involves filing divorce papers with the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Torrance Courthouse, negotiating the terms of the divorce, going to court if you are unable to come to an agreement on the terms, and finalizing the divorce after a waiting period.
Key Decisions in a Divorce Case
Many important decisions must be made between you and your spouse. A Hermosa Beach divorce attorney can facilitate negotiations and suggest potential arrangements for your unique divorce case. Some key decisions a lawyer can help you with are:
- Child custody. Child custody decisions are made based on what arrangement supports your child’s health, safety, stability, and overall well-being. Custody involves two types of custody, which can be shared or the sole responsibility of one parent. Physical custody determines where the child lives, while legal custody determines who can make major decisions, such as about medical care or education.
- Property division. Property division involves dividing the assets and debts between spouses. Typically, assets acquired before the marriage are kept separate, while assets acquired during the marriage are split evenly. Common assets subject to division include the marital home and other real estate, bank accounts, investments, or business assets.
- Spousal and child support. In California, spousal support is not legally required for all divorces. It can be paid temporarily or long-term in order to support them while they become self-supporting. Marriages that last for over 10 years are considered long-term marriages, with no limit on the end of spousal support, so long as there is the need and the financial ability to provide it. Marriages lasting under 10 years typically result in support lasting for half the length of the marriage.
Unlike spousal support, parents are required to provide for their children, often through child support. The amount of child support is determined based on factors such as income, tax filing status, and parenting time.
Why You Should Hire a Divorce Lawyer
Filing for divorce is not easy. You may feel uncertain about specific decisions or unsure how to navigate a challenge. A Hermosa Beach divorce lawyer can help you feel confident about this process by explaining California’s divorce laws, analyzing the details of your case, and suggesting potential solutions to asset division or child custody matters.
A lawyer can also help you resolve a conflict. They can do this by encouraging good-faith communication and negotiation with your spouse, or representing you in court. Conflicts you may face are disagreements over child custody, disagreements over asset division, hidden assets, or an unwillingness to communicate.
Choosing a Mediated Divorce
Unlike the traditional divorce process, mediation offers a method founded on communication and cooperation. At Kramer & Zitser, LLP, our staff includes divorce mediators who act as an unbiased third-party during mediation sessions. Mediation offers benefits such as:
- Increased control over the final decisions
- Flexibility to create personalized solutions for your family
- Reducing conflict between you and your spouse
- Preserving relationships by emphasizing cooperation and mutual agreement
- Cost-effective and relatively speedy resolution
FAQs
Is California a No-Fault Divorce State?
Yes, California is a no-fault state for a divorce. This means spouses do not need to prove that their spouse was at fault for marital issues in order to be divorced. Instead, there must only be irreconcilable differences. As a no-fault state, wrongdoing, such as adultery, does not impact a spouse’s right to half of the marital property.
Do Most Divorces Go to Court in California?
No, most divorces in California do not go to trial. Most cases are settled out of court, which is often preferred as it can result in mutually agreeable terms and is often faster than a trial. However, going to trial may be the right option if you and your spouse are unable to communicate or reach an agreement. If you hire a divorce lawyer, they can facilitate negotiations to help you reach a settlement or advocate for your case in court.
Why Is Moving Out the Biggest Mistake in a Divorce?
While there are multiple reasons moving out can complicate a divorce, the impact on child custody is one of the most severe. Moving out can mean you are no longer a primary caregiver, or it may seem as though you are less involved in your child’s life and well-being. If moving out means less parenting time, the courts may continue this in the parenting plan.
What Is the Six-Month Rule for Divorce in California?
California’s divorce laws require a six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. This period begins when divorce papers are first served, and does not automatically end after six months; a Judgment of Dissolution must still be filed. During the waiting period, you can resolve disputes and make adjustments to the terms of the divorce, allowing you to create thorough and well-thought-out plans.
Learn How a Skilled Hermosa Beach Divorce Attorney Can Help
Divorce can be a stressful period in your life. Whether you need help identifying the right parenting plan for your children or want guidance on property division in a high-asset divorce, a lawyer can help. Contact Kramer & Zitser, LLP, to speak with an experienced Hermosa Beach divorce lawyer about your divorce case.
