No matter where you find yourself in the divorce process, you have a dedicated ally at AF Law. Leveraging years of experience and a well-earned reputation for getting results, our Sacramento divorce and family law team considers it a privilege to be in your corner.

In general, the property you own before marriage remains with you, but anything acquired after marriage and before the separation is subject to division by the courts. Keeping your interests front and center, AF Law near Sacramento goes the distance to make sure any property you shared with your former spouse is equitably divided. Let us guide you through dividing shared assets and debts, finding hidden assets, managing insurance policies, and determining what happens to the family home in your property division case.

Dealing with LGBTQ issues in today’s world is ever changing. Our Sacramento family law team has a comprehensive understanding of how to serve same-sex couples going through the legal process of divorce or child custody. We’re in it with you, making sure you get the legal support you need. Always professional, we don’t pull any punches when it comes to protecting your interests in a divorce or family law case.

Divorce can be inherently messy and emotionally taxing. That is why it is good for you to have at least a basic understanding of what the process will look like. If you have any questions regarding these steps or requirements, contact our Sacramento family law team.

The first consideration when filing for a divorce or separation in Sacramento is whether or not you are even eligible for it. California law dictates that one or both parties must have lived in the state for at least six months. Some areas have even stricter requirements, like needing to have lived in a specific county for a certain period of time. If you are found to be eligible, you have to figure out the “grounds” for your divorce. This means that you have to have a legally-acceptable reason for the separation.

Next comes the actual filing for divorce. If both parties are already physically separated and are not jointly filing for the motion, the spouse who filed is responsible for ensuring that their significant other gets the paperwork. If one party isn’t happy with the terms of the divorce, they can contest it, which leads to what will likely come to be several court appearances where terms are negotiated. If both parties consent, this is known as an “uncontested divorce.”

If, for whatever reason, your spouse refuses to respond to the divorce paperwork, the party that filed in the first place still may have an opportunity to achieve an uncontested divorce. Depending on where you live, if a certain period of time passes with no response, the divorce can potentially proceed as uncontested. This is one circumstance where it is extremely important for you to consult with a Sacramento family and divorce lawyer. The process can be difficult, but good representation can help.