La Mesa Divorce Lawyer

La Mesa Divorce Lawyer

Are you considering a divorce in La Mesa, CA? If so, you may be worried and uncertain about your future. Ending a marriage is a big step that will significantly change your life, from your family dynamics to your finances. 

The legal team at San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC can help you navigate this challenging time. Our La Mesa divorce lawyers have over three decades of experience assisting people with various family law issues. We understand what’s at stake in a divorce case, and we’re prepared to stand up for you and protect your best interests. 

Contact our law firm at (619) 866-3756 to arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Why Should I Choose San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC To Handle My Divorce Case in La Mesa, CA?

Why Should I Choose San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC To Handle My Divorce Case in La Mesa, CA?

There is a lot involved if you’re going through a divorce. You have to divide your marital property. If you have children, you’ll have to work out an agreement regarding visitation rights, custody, and financial support. And, if your spouse disagrees with you on any issue, the matter becomes contested, making the process even more difficult.  

That’s where having an experienced La Mesa family lawyer can make a significant difference. 

We will listen to your concerns and attempt to address and resolve them. We’ll also work to achieve the goals you want at the outcome of your case, always striving for a fair result. 

You’ll significantly benefit from having our team on your side – including a California Certified Family Law Specialist, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers. 

If you hire our divorce attorneys to handle your case in La Mesa, California, we’ll: 

  • Provide detailed legal guidance and unwavering support throughout the California divorce process
  • Explain your rights and how various laws can impact your case 
  • Handle all communications with your spouse or their legal counsel
  • Help you negotiate or mediate an agreement regarding property division, child custody, alimony, and other matters affecting your divorce settlement
  • Represent you in San Diego County court hearings as necessary

Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, our La Mesa family law attorneys can assist you in reaching an equitable resolution. Contact our law office for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Overview of the California Divorce Process

To start the process of divorce in La Mesa, CA, you’ll need to initiate a case. You or your spouse must have resided in California for at least six months and in San Diego County for three months. Depending on the circumstances, same-sex couples and domestic partners may have different residency rules. 

Once the divorce petition and other necessary paperwork have been filed with the court, they must be served on the other party. Your spouse has 30 days to file their response. If they don’t, you may be entitled to a default divorce.

If you don’t receive a default judgment, the type of divorce you’re seeking will determine the next steps in the process. 

For example, if matters are uncontested, you can submit a settlement agreement outlining all terms to the court for approval. However, if the divorce is contested, you’ll need to engage in negotiations and/or mediation to work those issues out. 

The case may go to trial if the parties cannot reach an agreement. This will significantly extend the process of finalizing your divorce. 

Our Family Law Attorneys Handle All Types of Divorce Matters

Divorce is rarely straightforward. You may have significant assets and debts to divide, or your spouse may be unreasonable and unwilling to compromise throughout the process.

At San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC, our family law firm handles all types of divorce cases, including those involving: 

Regardless of the circumstances of your situation, our legal team is here to assist you. Call our La Mesa divorce attorneys to discuss your case.

We Can Help With All Aspects of Your La Mesa Divorce Case

Divorce involves more than dissolving a marriage. Even if it’s an amicable split, you need to work out an agreement to present to the court. 

Here are some of the primary practice areas that our La Mesa attorneys can assist you with:

Property Division

California is a community property state, meaning both spouses share assets (and debts) acquired during the marriage equally. That includes income, real estate, retirement accounts, personal property, mortgages, and loans. 

Separate property is generally anything you owned before the marriage, gifts, and inheritances. It isn’t subject to division in a divorce. 

Unfortunately, the process of dividing community/marital property can be one of the most contested matters. Commingling (the mixing of community and separate property), hidden assets, and other legal issues can complicate things. 

You and your spouse can reach an agreement as to how you want to divide your property, but a court will still have to formally approve it. In the event that you cannot agree, a judge will decide for you.

Child Custody

Child custody includes: 

  • Physical custody – who the child resides with
  • Legal custody –  who makes decisions for the child, such as issues regarding education and healthcare

Both forms of custody can be joint or sole – meaning the parents can either share rights and responsibilities, or one parent has full custody. 

In California, you’ll need to negotiate an agreement that is in the best interest of your child. You’ll have to work out a parenting plan that addresses where the child will live (and what portion of the time), when they’ll see each parent, and other child-rearing topics. 

Our divorce lawyers in La Mesa can help you and your ex reach a child custody and visitation arrangement that works best for your family. We can also assist with other issues, including allegations of parental alienation, parental unfitness, or child abuse. 

Child Support

When parents separate or divorce, they must continue financially supporting their children. That’s what child support is for. 

When determining a parent’s obligation, courts evaluate various factors, including each party’s income level, the custody arrangement, and the child’s specific needs. We can work with you and your ex to calculate the appropriate amount of child support for your situation.

Spousal Support/Alimony

A California court may order one spouse or partner to pay the other financial support to help cover their monthly expenses. This is known as spousal support or alimony. 

Relevant factors that could influence a judge’s alimony decision include: 

  • The duration of the parties’ marriage
  • Each spouse’s income and earning capacity
  • The parties’ age and health 
  • The standard of living established during the marriage 
  • Each spouse’s property and debt 
  • Any history of abuse or domestic violence
  • Whether the spouse asking for alimony helped the other attain an education or career (e.g., by staying home with the children)

The court may order temporary spousal support at the start of your family law case. Once the divorce is finalized, the decree may award long-term or permanent alimony. Typically, the longer you are married, the longer your support payments will last. The intent is to allow the supported spouse to become self-sufficient.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Experienced La Mesa Divorce Lawyers

Dissolving a marriage involves heavy emotions and important decisions regarding children, finances, and property. When dealing with such complex and life-changing issues, it’s essential to have a compassionate and experienced attorney by your side. 

Our divorce attorneys in La Mesa can guide you through this arduous process. We know what is at stake for you and your family because we’ve dedicated our legal careers to assisting people just like you. 

The team at San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC has 30 years of experience advocating for families across Southern California. 

Call our California family law office for a free consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer to discuss your divorce or separation.