Los Angeles Uncontested Divorce Lawyer
Uncontested divorces are divorces in which the spouses agree to the divorce itself as well as the related issues such as division of assets. They allow the parties to approach the family court with the divorce all but finalized and ready to go, with the intention that the court simply accept the divorce settlement rather than requiring multiple rounds of hearings, arguments, etc. Uncontested divorces are often preferable when available to divorcing couples to save time, money, and stress. A lawyer at Blasser Law can help you determine whether an uncontested divorce is right for you and your spouse, and help you through the divorce process in Los Angeles County.
Summary Dissolution in California
In California, uncontested divorce is called summary dissolution. Summary dissolution is geared towards couples without children and with a limited net worth. In addition to the California residency requirements, a divorcing couple must satisfy the following to qualify for summary dissolution:
- The grounds for divorce are “irreconcilable differences.”
- There are no minor children and neither spouse is pregnant.
- The couple must have been married and/or in a domestic partnership for five years or less.
- The parties must not want spousal support from each other.
- The parties must not owe much outstanding debts (over $6,000) besides car notes.
- The marital assets must total less than $41,000, and neither spouse can have separate assets worth more than $41,000.
- The parties must have no outstanding disagreements about the division of assets and debts once the divorce is final, and they must have a signed settlement agreement as well as any required ownership transfer documents.
- Each spouse must read the summary dissolution information booklet.
A married couple who satisfies these requirements must draft a settlement agreement and then file a joint petition to the court seeking summary dissolution. Courts will grant the uncontested divorce if all of the elements described above are satisfied.
A knowledgeable family law attorney can help ensure that you meet the qualifications for a summary dissolution and that your settlement agreement includes all relevant assets, paperwork, and other legal requirements. A single attorney can handle the paperwork for you and your spouse if a summary dissolution is truly on the table.
Do I Need a Lawyer For an Uncontested Divorce?
It may be tempting to think that lawyers are only important when going through a contested divorce. There are, however, many detailed and complicated facets of any divorce proceeding, contested or otherwise, for which an experienced divorce lawyer is essential. Uncontested divorces still involve divisions of property and real estate, debt, etc., all of which require special care to either avoid or mitigate any disputes that might arise. Summary dissolution in California, as noted, requires a lot of specific requirements to be met.
The compassionate and experienced attorneys at Blasser Law can help you tally your assets, negotiate with your spouse, and keep the divorce uncontested. You want to arrive to any meeting with your spouse as prepared as possible and look to keep the negotiation process as easy and frictionless as possible. We can help you through the divorce process and avoid triggering a lengthy and unpleasant court battle that may arise if negotiations break down.
Get Help From Experienced Divorce Attorneys
For assistance with an uncontested divorce, contact a seasoned, effective, and dedicated Claremont attorneys at Blasser Law for a free consultation, at 877-927-2181.