What are the paths to a divorce in San Diego? How do you make it from the decision to end a marriage to the completion of divorce in a timely, emotionally efficient and cost-effective manner?
It is interesting to note that over 80% of the divorces filed in the State of California are filed by one of the parties without the representation of legal counsel. It is also interesting to know that less than half of those divorces are completed within a year’s time and require both parties to seek legal representation before reaching the divorce decree.
Why is this so?
The most important thing to know as you consider the process of a divorce in San Diego is the time it will take to complete your divorce and the associated cost of your divorce are directly related to the amount of disagreement between you and your soon-to-be former spouse and your ability to resolve these disagreements and reach a settlement (or have one imposed by the Court).
A San Diego divorce cannot and will not be completed until every aspect of child custody and parenting time, property and retirement division, support, the disposition of a business or professional practice and even the family pets has been completely resolved. This is why it is so important to carefully plan your divorce and seek the proven advice and counsel of the Certified Family Law Specialists at Burke & Domercq.
What are the paths to a divorce in San Diego and how can you reduce the costs of a divorce in terms of emotion, time and cost?
The least expensive and fastest way to resolve any dispute is negotiation between the parties themselves. Our skilled attorneys help to coach our clients as they prepare for crucial conversations. How do you protect your own interests without giving away what you really want while keeping your spouse engaged? The next most efficient path is for the parties and their attorneys to negotiate a resolution of each issue.
Mediation is most-often one of the most timely and cost-effective alternative paths to a divorce in San Diego. The parties and their counsel are guided by an independent third-party expert. Mediation is a private, confidential venue which keeps your private information and sensitive issues out of the public record while working to resolve part or all issues and disagreements between divorcing spouses.
When these strategies are unsuccessful our attorneys take an issue to trial before the Judge to establish the facts of the matter, protect your position and seek resolution. The Judge will impose a decision upon the parties which is (for all intents and purposes) final. It is important to note that most decisions rendered by a Judge in a divorce are not a “win” or a “loss.” They are to be “fair.” This requires both positions to give a little and get a little.
There are many paths to a divorce in San Diego. Which is right for your unique situation? We invite you to review the strong recommendations of former clients and the legal industry and contact the Certified Family Law Specialists at Burke & Domercq or call 760-389-3927 to schedule an appointment for a remote or socially distanced consultation with one of our experienced Certified Family Law Specialists.