Rancho Santa Margarita Divorce Attorney

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Rancho Santa Margarita Divorce Attorney Guiding Families to a Fresh Start

Family law issues are difficult and emotionally charged. Divorce is usually followed by matters like child custody, asset division, child support, and alimony. Put together, all these disputes can easily spiral out of control, leading to lengthy and costly court battles. Trying to navigate the legal system on your own can be risky, and may lead to unfavorable outcomes. But you are not alone. The experienced Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys at Jos Family Law are here to help you every step of the way.

At Jos Family Law, our team of attorneys has 55 years of combined experience serving the Orange County community. We understand how difficult divorce can be, so we strive to simplify things as much as possible. In many cases, we're able to resolve issues outside the courtroom. But, if litigation becomes necessary, we are ready to protect your rights tirelessly at court. Contact us for a confidential case consultation to learn how our Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys can help.

The Divorce Process in California

Divorce can be overwhelming and emotionally taxing. It's essential to take the right steps to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. The divorce process in Orange County follows the steps below:

  • Eligibility

    To be eligible for divorce, either spouse must be a resident of California for at least six months and the county for at least three months.

  • Filing for Divorce

    Either spouse files a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage in the Superior Court of California in Orange County. The petition outlines the grounds for divorce the desired outcome of child custody, child support, asset division, and alimony. At Jos Family Law, we will ensure all documents are completed and filed on time.

  • Serving your Spouse

    Next, the petitioner must file the divorce papers with their spouse. This can be done by a process server, the sheriff, or any other adult involved in the process. Once served, the respondent has 30 days to file a response.

  • Response

    The respondent will file their own Response to the petition, either agreeing or disagreeing with the terms of the petition.

  • Financial Disclosures

    Both parties must disclose and exchange complete financial information, including income, expenses, assets, and debts. This financial transparency is critical to ensure a fair division of assets and determination of support.

  • Negotiation & Settlement

    Many divorces are settled outside the court by a mutual agreement between the parties. Both parties negotiate the terms of divorce to reach an agreement on child custody, support, and asset division. Jos Family Law specializes in helping clients reach a fair settlement via negotiation or mediation, striving to make the process as smooth as possible.

  • Hearing

    If an agreement isn't possible, the court will decide on the divorce matters. The judge will listen to both sides and make decisions based on the evidence presented under California law. At Jos Family Law, our Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys will present a compelling case, advocating for your rights and ensuring your side of the story is heard.

  • Divorce Decree

    Once the issues are resolved, the judge will issue an order for the Dissolution of Marriage. This legal document finalizes the terms of the divorce agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the court.

Understanding the Common Types of Divorce

  1. Contested Divorce- A contested divorce is when both spouses fail to agree on key issues and leave the matter to the court and the judge's decision.
  2. Uncontested Divorce- Both spouses agree on major issues of divorce, entering into an agreement for faster and cheaper resolution.
  3. Mediated Divorce - A neutral third-party mediator facilitates communication and helps both parties reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
  4. Collaborative Divorce- Both parties and their attorneys negotiate a settlement outside the court.
  5. Default Divorce- When one party wilfully refuses to be a part of the divorce proceedings, the case proceeds as a default divorce.
  6. Summary Dissolution- Summary dissolution is when both parties meet specific criteria, such as a short marriage without children or significant assets. This process is quicker and simpler than traditional litigated divorce.

Full-service Divorce & Family Law Attorneys in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Family law encompasses a variety of legal aspects. Depending on your unique situation, your divorce may include several areas, like child custody & support, asset division, and alimony. At Jos Family Law, our attorneys specialize in each of them. Our Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys specialize across all areas of divorce & family law, including:

  • Divorce Mediation
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Spousal Support
  • Asset Division
  • Domestic Violence
  • Paternity
  • Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
  • Modification of Orders
  • Parent's Rights
  • Move Away Orders
  • Attorney's Fee

Skilled Divorce Attorneys in Rancho Santa Margarita Can Help

Jos Family Law understands the complexities of divorce. We are committed to providing quality and compassionate guidance and robust representation to our clients. Our Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys will help you throughout the process, including:

Paperwork & Filing

Our attorneys will ensure all documents are filed timely and accurately.

Negotiation or Mediation

We will help both parties reach an agreement or negotiate with your spouse for a fair settlement regarding child custody, child support, asset division, & spousal support.

Representation at Court

If your case goes to trial, we will represent your interests and protect your rights in court.

Child Custody & Child Support

If you have children, our attorneys will advocate for your parental rights and your child's best interests.

Spousal Support

We can help you obtain or defend against a spousal support claim.

Asset Division

Our attorneys will ensure a fair division of all assets and debts and protect your separate property.

At Jos Family Law, we make the divorce process as simple and smooth as possible, providing continuous guidance and support to our clients. Our aim is to alleviate stress and ensure you emerge victorious through this challenging time.

Contact our Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys today for a private, no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your divorce with confidence.

Let us help you Navigate Divorce.

Don't take matters into your own hands. It may result in costly errors that can affect your life for many years. Our Rancho Santa Margarita divorce attorneys have extensive knowledge of California statutes and experience in Orange County courts. We're here for you from the initial consultation to the final verdict.

Divorce can be daunting! Let our attorneys make it simple for you.

Get in Touch

CALL US
(714) 733-7066

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. You and your ex-spouse can reach a mutual agreement to resolve divorce and other family law issues. However, it is important to have an attorney review your agreement to ensure it is legally valid and protects your rights

Resolving divorce via mediation is a good option for couples who can work together and cooperate on important issues. It can save you a lot of time and money. However, if your ex-spouse is mentally unwell or acting in bad faith, it's likely mediation won't be successful.

California is a no-fault state, which means neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing on the other's part to obtain a divorce. They can simply cite irreconcilable differences or incapacity, and the divorce will be finalized even without the other party's consent.

To be eligible for divorce, either spouse must be a resident of California for at least six months, and of the county for at least three months.

Yes. California has a waiting period of six months after the petition is served to the respondent. This period gives both parties time to reconcile, develop a parenting plan, or share financial information.

Get In Touch

Our attorneys are here to help you during every stage of your case. Schedule a confidential consultation and know your options with the seasoned counsel of top family law attorneys.

Contact Information

Please call, email, or contact our office online to arrange an appointment for your case today.

(714) 733-7066

jos@josfamilylaw.com

1918 W Chapman Ave Suite 200, Orange, CA 92868

Google Reviews

4.8 (139)

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Sonia Fernández

Jos exhibits exceptional compassion and understanding, promptly addressing all inquiries to facilitate clarity and calm throughout the process with comprehensive and sincere explanations. He offers potential solutions to minimize unnecessary court costs. His team operates efficiently and effectively to complete the task. I highly recommend this law firm as it operates with integrity.

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Carlos Serrano

Thank you very much to Mr. Jos and to all his group of professionals who helped me get out of my child support case with a very good result. Each case is different and my case was very complicated. I live in the state of Virginia and the child support office of the state of California was starting a case against me, the amount they wanted me to pay was ridiculously high I didn't know what to do because I don't live in California and I had never met the child either. I searched online for a lawyer in California and thank God I found Mr. Jos's law office. I don't know them personally but I put my trust in them and they didn't disappoint me. We had very good communication despite the distance and they were always available to talk to me and clarify my doubts. Mr. James was the one who took my case to the end and after a long and very difficult process everything went very well in my favor much more than expected. I am very grateful to God for putting the entire team of professionals from Mr. Jos' office on my way. Words are not enough for me to describe everything they did for me and how grateful I am. I definitely recommend Mr. Jos's law firm. Thank you Mr. James for not giving up in my case and having achieved a magnificent result in my favor.

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Alexandra Duvall

Jos Family Law has been absolutely fantastic in helping me through my child custody case. Mr Jos communicated with me throughout the entire process. He was very empathetic and understanding with my case and my concerns. The team was always supportive and never once did I feel like they didn’t take my case seriously. I’m so grateful I chose this law firm to represent me and I would 100% recommend this team to anyone seeking assistance. In the end I received the outcome I was looking for which was Sole Physical Custody. Thank you so much Jos Family for representing me.

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Marco Galatro

This was the second attorney that represented me for my divorce. Binoye is a very knowledgeable, fair and professional attorney. They are reliable and this made my experience way less painful. They are definitely not greedy for money, they are not one of the many attorneys out there that overbill for their services. I truly recommend them.

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Roya

Mr. Jos is by far the best attorney l've ever had to work with. He is diligent, extremely prepared and informed and patient with his clients and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure you get the results you are hoping for. I recommend him to anyone who needs a Family attorney.

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Ricardo Lajaruna

My most sincere gratitude to the attorney Mr. James Sowers, who is very knowledgeable about the law, works with and for his clients. He is very transparent, honest and I am very grateful for his great support. His legal representation is highly recommended!!!

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Nader Zayid

JOS family Law took on my case which entailed custody and move away components and I honestly could not say enough great things about JOS Family Law! Mr. Jos is not only extremely knowledgeable and professional, but it is also extremely obvious how much he cares for his clients on a personal level as well. There is an expression that two heads are better than one, however, Mr. Jos' philosophy takes it further as eight heads are better than two. It was so impressive and reassuring how collaborative everyone at the office works together to meet on regular cadences and discuss their client's cases to brainstorm strategies in order to seek the best possible outcome for their clients. Mr. Jos has an amazing team of extremely talented and knowledgeable attorneys that have worked together on my case. James was the lead attorney on my case and also represented me in my hearing. James was able to get us everything we were asking for as he successfully proved that full custody remaining with me is in the best interest of the children and that the move away is in the best interest of the children as well. We were able to come up with a plan to ensure that the children's mother can visit regularly and still maintain a healthy relationship. James is a rock star attorney! I would without hesitation refer anyone seeking help in a family law matter to call Jos Family Law!

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Get your consultation today

(714) 733-7066