how to find a good divorce lawyer california

The little known way to finding a good divorce lawyer in California - the "local" factor

• An experienced divorce lawyer who knows each judge's style.
• One who has gained the respect of the local family law judges as well as the clerks.
• One who knows procedural idiosyncrasies of the local courts.
• A divorce lawyer who is not just familiar with California family law but also the local county rules.

Full Answer

What makes a good divorce lawyer in California?

Any good divorce lawyer in California will answer these questions with ease. More importantly, the divorce lawyer you're considering hiring should be able to explain to you how the entire billing process works and give you information on safeguards used to make sure the billing is correct. An experienced divorce lawyer who knows each judge's style.

How do I find a good divorce lawyer in my area?

Use the ABA, the American Bar Association, to identify a list of lawyers and their specialties who practice in your area. Most counties will have a professional association of lawyers. In addition, often times, this group can tell you which lawyers specialize in divorce.

How can FindLaw help with divorce in California?

FindLaw's directory can connect you with trusted divorce lawyers in California to guide you through the divorce process and minimize the stress you experience during this difficult time. What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Separation? There are several distinctions between divorce and separation.

How to find an attorney in California for legal advice?

Attorney profiles include the biography, education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire. Use the contact form on the profiles to connect with a California attorney for legal advice. Do You Have to Have a Reason for Divorce?

How do I choose a divorce lawyer in California?

How To Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in CaliforniaEducate Yourself Before Meeting with Attorneys.Be Proactive.Look For An Attorney Online.Ask Friends For Recommendations.What to Look For When Researching Attorneys.Hire a Specialist.Meet with at Least 2 – 3 Attorneys.Questions to Ask a Divorce Attorney Before Hiring.More items...

What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer in California?

Most attorneys require an initial retainer which on average is in the neighborhood of $3,000 to $5,000.

How much does the average divorce cost in California?

around $17,500Data suggests that the average cost of a divorce in California is around $17,500, but the true cost can be much higher or much lower depending on how many contested issues there are, how long it takes to reach a settlement, and what type of process is used.

Does my husband have to pay for my divorce lawyer California?

No law in California or any other state requires one partner to pay the other's attorney fees. California judges will – in very rare cases – issue an order to one spouse to pay the other's attorney fees, but only – in most cases – if a family's finances are so one-sided that the divorce process would otherwise be ...

How long does a divorce take in CA?

six monthsFrom start to finish, the divorce process in the Golden State can take at least six months – even if both parties agree to the dissolution immediately. This length of time is due to California's divorce requirements and mandatory six-month waiting period. Contact a San Jose divorce attorney for more information.

How much is it to file for divorce in Cali?

$435The filing fee for a divorce in California is $435. If your spouse decides to respond to your complaint, then they must also pay $435. You should also note that there may be additional costs as the case progresses. If you can't afford to pay these costs, you have the option to ask for a fee waiver.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in California?

In California, a wife may be entitled to 50% of marital assets, 40% of her spouse's income in the form of spousal support, child support, and primary child custody. These entitlements are based on the marriage's length and each spouse's income, among other factors.

What is the cheapest way to get divorce in California?

An uncontested one, on the other hand, requires you and your ex to be in full agreement as to how you want to end things. This is the cheapest way to get a divorce in California as you do not need to hire a lawyer, and can either deal with the paperwork yourself or get it from an online service.

How is spousal support calculated in California?

The guideline states that the paying spouse's support be presumptively 40% of his or her net monthly income, reduced by one-half of the receiving spouse's net monthly income. If child support is an issue, spousal support is calculated after child support is calculated.

How long can I get alimony in California?

In California, spousal support may be paid for up to half the length of a marriage that lasts 10 years or less. Unions that lasted longer than 10 years are considered 'long term,' and no specific duration will apply.

How much does a divorce cost in California with a lawyer?

$12,500 to $15,300Average total costs for divorce lawyers in California range from $12,500 to $15,300, but fees are usually lower in cases with no contested divorce issues and higher when cases go to trial. The divorce process in California typically ranges from 8 months for uncontested cases to 18 months or more with disputes.

Who pays costs in divorce?

If you are the one who is being divorced (the “respondent”), the Court might order you to pay the legal fees of both sides. This is unjust, but it is based on the old court principles that if you can prove your case before them, then you will also get your costs.

What to do if your spouse is seeking divorce?

If you suspect that your spouse is seeking a divorce, meet with an attorney immediately. Don’t wait until you’re served with divorce papers to start the process. After your spouse serves you with divorce papers, you will only have a small window of time in which to reply.

How to choose a family law attorney?

Some of the factors you’ll want to consider are: 1 Years of experience: How long have they have been practicing law? 2 Where they attended law school: While not as important as experience, it’s a good idea to find out where they attended law school. 3 Whether they exclusively handle family law: This is important, especially in a large city where attorneys tend to specialize in one area of law.

How to understand the scope of divorce?

Understand the Scope of the Divorce. In Closing. 1. Educate Yourself Before Meeting with Attorneys. Before even meeting with an attorney, you should take the time to educate yourself on the divorce process. Fortunately, there are great online resources to help you.

Can I go through a divorce pain free?

And you may be able actually to go through a pain-free divorce if you hire the right kind of lawyer to handle your case. Do not hesitate to contact the services of a divorce lawyer if you find one that you can trust, you will be making a very good decision if you hire them. Tweet.

Can you canvas divorce lawyers?

You can canvas different kinds of lawyers, to get a sense of their different skill sets. By interviewing many divorce lawyers, you may be able to select the best one out of the bunch. Many family attorneys now offer a free consultation. Use this time to essentially interview different attorneys.

Should I hire a divorce lawyer?

By following these guidelines, you should be able to hire a very reliable and competent divorce lawyer. If you want to go through the least amount of trouble when you are undergoing a divorce, you should look into hiring one. A divorce lawyer’s services could be invaluable whenever you are going through a divorce.

How to Find a Good California Divorce Lawyer

Sometimes marriages just don’t work despite the best efforts of both involved parties. When the time for separation occurs, it can be extremely stressful and difficult to deal with specifics like separation of assets and custody arrangements.

Do You Really Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Divorce lawyers specialize in handling issues associated with the dissolution of relationships. This includes both marriages and simple partnerships where assets, children, and/or pets must be shared between parties.

Search For Your Options

You know you need a divorce lawyer; what’s next? What’s the best way to actually search for and connect with a lawyer? You have a few options.

Ask for a Consultation

Nearly all lawyers offer a short 30-minute to 1-hour consultation for new potential clients. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of this; it’s an excellent way to interview lawyers before you sign a retainer and agree to work with one person.

Ask About Secondary Specialties

Is your case complex enough that you need help with other areas of law that intersect with divorce? It may be beneficial to ask each potential lawyer whether they have experience working with those areas of law, too. While they may not truly specialize in these secondary categories, they should at least have a basic understanding.

Is Your Lawyer Also Serving Your Spouse?

Watch out! This is a red flag for problems. Serving both spouses is considered a conflict of interest, and while some lawyers may be able to do it without bias, it’s frowned upon and even illegal in some areas.

Divorce

Getting a divorce can have serious, long-term effects, both emotionally and legally. There are also strict legal requirements that cover everything from choosing a method of legal separation to selecting where and how to file, to deciding how the property should be divided. The divorce process can be confusing, especially without legal assistance.

Need an attorney in California?

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from divorce to DUI to employment law.

Do You Have to Have a Reason for Divorce?

A no-fault divorce allows a court to enter a divorce decree without one party having to legally prove the other party did something wrong in the marriage.

Steps in a Divorce or Divorce Proceedings

Though divorce is quite common, those who are filing for divorce for the first time may not be familiar with the process.

How do I find a divorce lawyer?

When a person asks "how do I find a divorce lawyer", they are actually asking three questions. First, how do I find a divorce lawyer I can afford? Second, how do I find a divorce lawyer I can trust? Third, how do I find a divorce lawyer that is good? You can substitute good for great and for best I suppose.

Step 1 to finding a divorce lawyer - Internet search

You are reading this article because you found it on the internet or someone referred you to it. How you find a divorce lawyer on the internet is done in the same way. You put in a search term, one that fits what you're looking for and voila…you have a list of divorce lawyers to choose from. Or do you? Not really.

Step 2 to finding a divorce lawyer - Referrals

Referrals are great…if they come from the right source. At our law firm, we get a lot of referrals. We get them from former clients, present clients, clients' mothers, fathers and other family, colleagues, people in the business world, you name it.

Step 3 to finding a divorce lawyer - Reputation

In my opinion, nothing speaks louder about a lawyer's reputation than what the clients say about him or her. Lincoln said that a lawyer's reputation is his stock in trade. With that, we agree. There are reputable sites out there that give you divorce lawyer reviews and those reviews are from clients and sometimes colleagues.

Step 4 to finding a divorce lawyer - Courthouse

Many family law courthouses have a list of low-cost attorneys for divorce and family law cases. If you are on a tight budget or your issues are very simple, the list may come in handy. But don't just go for cheap because it's cheap. Look at this list and make sure the lawyer still fits.

Step 5 to finding a divorce lawyer - Consultations

The consultation isn't the end of the search process, it's the beginning. While it is perfectly okay to hire the first lawyer with whom you consult, it may be better to talk to at least 3 or so before you make a commitment. If you are getting the same answers from all of them, that should tell you that the answers may be right.

The bonus step to the question "how do I find a divorce lawyer" - Common sense

Communication, comfort level, a personality that fits yours, these are all important. Lawyers are human…even divorce lawyers, I swear. A family law attorney that doesn't have time for you before you hire him or her may not have much time for you after you retain him or her.

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The Law Office of Janice Cho is a client-oriented law firm specializing in helping individuals understand and resolve family law and immigration issues efficiently and effectively and with professionalism, integrity and compassion. Ms. Cho has bee...

California divorce and separation attorneys

A divorce lawyer helps you if you no longer want to be married. Whether you want a legal separation or the marriage ended, divorce lawyers assist you to arrange financial and family matters, typically in a negotiation with your spouse's lawyer.

What to look for in a divorce lawyer?

Key points to look for when searching for a good divorce lawyer-. 1. Understand your lawyer’s role. The goal of using a lawyer to help in your divorce process is to move the dissolution of your marriage forward in a fair and equitable manner. The main points of discussion when meeting with a lawyer should focus on money, ...

What percentage of a family law practice should be devoted to family law?

If they don’t specialize in family law exclusively, find out what percentage of the practice is devoted to family law; it should be at least 50% of their caseload. Depending on your financial situation, you may want to seek a lawyer who also has expertise in finance and property laws. It is important to get a good “fit”.

Why is it important to meet with several lawyers?

You want to get a sense of different approaches so it is important to meet with several lawyers in order to decide on one who would be the right lawyer for your unique situation. Often times, you can get a sense of what a lawyer is like from your first phone call to their practice.

What is the marriage.com course?

If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.

Can lawyers advertise on the internet?

Check their online presence. In years past, some states allowed lawyers to advertise in telephone directories. If you still use a directory, you can always check there, but nowadays nearly all lawyers and legal practice s have websites that you can check out.

Is it easy to divorce?

Hopefully, you will have done your research and your divorce can move along and be finalized without major hitches. It is never an easy decision to divorce, but going in with knowledge can help make this transition time less uncertain and a bit easier to get through.

Is it important to find a good divorce lawyer?

Deciding to divorce can be a long, soul-searching and emotionally-draining process. Adding to the stress is the necessity of finding a good divorce lawyer from the beginning. It is important to have top-notch legal representation, however, so do your research and find the best divorce lawyer you can afford. Finding the right lawyer could end up ...