Experienced Legal Separation Attorney in Riverside, California
Law Firm Specializing in Legal Separation Actions filed in the Inland Empire of Southern California
A legal separation is a legal action filed by a married person or domestic partner who may want to stay married or in the domestic partnership, but also wants to resolve all other issues, such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and complex property division. A legal separation separates the property and debts of the parties so that they are no longer legally responsible for each other. A legal separation will not terminate any life or health insurance.
A Legal Separation is one of the options that are available for couples who are not ready to terminate their marriage but want to be considered separate for legal and tax liability purposes. Simply put, a legal separation is a court order that mandates the rights and duties of a couple while they are still legally married, but living apart.
Legal Separation vs. Divorce in California
Reasons a spouse may choose to file for a legal separation rather than a divorce include religious principles preventing a divorce or a spouse does not meet the residency requirements for filing for a divorce (the are no residency requirements for filing legal separation- see Family Code Section 2321). In both of these circumstances, a legal separation may provide a more suitable alternative to a divorce. A judgment for legal separation cannot be entered without the consent of both spouses unless the matter is proceeding by default (Cal Fam. Code § 2345).
After a legal separation is ordered if either spouse later wanted to marry someone else, that spouse would have to file for a divorce regardless of the fact that the parties had already been legally separated.
Legal separation does not necessarily lead to divorce, and it can actually leave the door open to reconciliation, in which case the parties typically do not need to do anything more since they are still legally married. If, however, the couple does wish to go through with a divorce, depending on what stage of the legal separation process the parties are in at the time, they may need a file an entirely new divorce matter or they may be able to amend their legal separation and request a divorce.
However, a legal separation judgment does not prevent a future judgment for dissolution (divorce) in the event either party subsequently chose to file a petition requesting such (Cal Fam. Code § 2347).
Riverside Legal Separation Attorneys Combining Knowledge & Skill With Compassion & Dedication
Our lawyers strive to consider the particular needs of each client’s matter and to obtain a fair and equitable outcome for our clients, be it through litigation or negotiation and settlement. Our firm is dedicated to making the process as painless and straightforward as possible. We evaluate your situation and advise you of all your options under the law, so we can custom tailor an experience you can look back on without regret. Our goal is to help make the decisions that protect your legal rights, and that are in the best interests of your family. We strive to get to know you as a person, as an individual, change is inevitable, but the stress and anxiety you feel about those changes do not have to be.
Contact Our Experienced Riverside, California Legal Separation Attorneys Now
No matter what stage of the process you are in, you can rely on the experience of our Riverside legal separation attorneys in reaching resolutions in your case. Our Southern California family law firm fights hard to make the legal system work for our clients. Contact our accomplished and dedicated Riverside child custody lawyers today by calling (909) 966-5245 to learn how our experienced custody attorney, Ronald B. Talkov, can guide you through the court process in a prompt and clear manner.