Kings County Divorce Lawyer

Kings County Divorce Attorney

Going through a divorce is never easy. Many couples can feel a sense of shame in admitting that their marriage is beyond repair, in addition to the personal, financial, and legal stresses attached to officially dissolving a marriage. Those feelings only multiply when there are children involved, which is why consulting with an experienced Kings County divorce lawyer can help you navigate the various legal complexities involved with divorce.

Carlos Navarrete Law Firm has been helping individuals and families throughout the greater Kings County area for more than two decades. Our team understands the high level of sensitivity involved with every family law case, but also doesn’t shy away from pursuing an aggressive legal strategy to ensure that your rights are continuously upheld throughout the entirety of the process. In fact, our family lawyers have extensive trial experience that can be leveraged in your case if necessary.

How Common Is Divorce in California?

In recent years, the divorce rate has generally been around 9%. That means that approximately nine people out of every 100 married individuals get divorced every year, which actually shows a fairly steady decline over the last several years both in California and throughout the United States.

Contributing to the steadily decreasing divorce rate is that the overall number of people getting married each year is dropping, in addition to many couples waiting longer to get married. The societal norm and general concept of marriage has become less and less appealing for many people in the younger generations, so the overall interest and desire to get married have made a significant impact.

Common Factors That Influence California Divorce Rates

Because every marital relationship is unique, so is the reasoning behind every couple’s decision to dissolve a marriage. However, there are many common elements that contribute to divorces throughout the state of California.

Here are some of the common reasons that couples decide to divorce in California:

• Financial Problems: Money-related issues have long been among the top reasons why couples end up getting divorced. Financial problems can cause significant stress for individuals and also add strain to a marriage, which can often lead to more frequent arguments. Couples who are more financially secure, naturally, have lower stress and a much lower divorce rate.
• Lack of Commitment: Over the course of a marriage, many people notice a diminished level of commitment to their spouse and the day-to-day challenges that come with maintaining a marriage.
• Infidelity: Marital infidelity is one of the more insurmountable events that ultimately lead to a divorce. Some couples can recover and move forward from cases of infidelity; however, it is uncommon.
• Age: Couples who get married at younger ages tend to be more likely to get divorced, particularly individuals who get married between the ages of 20 and 25. Younger age is often associated with individuals being less mature and not having enough time to better develop their communication and problem-solving skills.
• Parental Differences: Although children are one of the common reasons why married couples will end up staying married for longer, many marriages end up dissolving due to unchangeable differences in parenting style. Also, the added responsibilities that come with raising a child can often become too straining on their relationship.
• Differing Values: The lack of general compatibility and differences in important values can have a significant impact on the length of a marriage. Oftentimes, as people grow and change, so will their lifestyle, goals, and priorities in life, which can prove to be a challenging obstacle to overcome.

It’s important to understand that the reasons listed above are only some of the many elements that contribute to divorces across California and the US. Every marital relationship has differing circumstances, and in most cases, marriages end due to multiple irrecoverable issues.

If you or a loved one are considering a divorce, then it’s crucial that you contact an experienced family lawyer with extensive experience handling divorce cases. They can walk you through all of your options in order to ensure that you make an educated decision that makes the most sense for your family under your unique circumstances.

How Long Does the Average Divorce Take in California?

According to California state divorce law, spouses filing for divorce must abide by a mandatory six-month-long waiting period. This waiting period was put in place to provide the spouses involved with time to potentially reconcile or reach a more amicable agreement on their own without the need for a trial. If both parties are able to agree on every aspect of their separation, then the divorce proceeding is uncontested and can be completed in as short as six months.

Contested divorces, where the parties are unable to come to an agreed-upon arrangement, can take substantially longer. Other factors, which include the complexities of the case (especially if there are children involved), will often extend the amount of time needed to finalize a divorce. In some cases, the legal proceedings can exceed 1-2 years in total.

What Does a California Divorce Lawyer Do?

A California divorce lawyer can offer a number of various services to individuals navigating divorce proceedings. Here’s an overview of some of the services that a divorce lawyer typically provides to their clients:

• Legal Representation: A divorce lawyer represents their client’s interests throughout the divorce process and related legal proceedings. They serve as an advocate to their client, ensuring that their legal rights are upheld and interests are protected.
• Legal Advice and Guidance: A divorce lawyer provides legal advice and guidance to their clients regarding their rights and options. They can help their clients understand the legal implications of decisions they make throughout the divorce process.
• Filing and Document Preparation: A divorce lawyer assists clients with the preparation and filing of all necessary legal documents required for the divorce process, which can include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, and settlement agreements.
• Negotiation and Mediation: Many divorce cases in California are resolved through negotiation or mediation rather than going to trial. A divorce lawyer can help their client negotiate a fair and agreeable settlement with the other party, or they may represent their client’s interests during mediation sessions.
• Court Representation: If the divorce case cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation, a divorce lawyer represents their client’s interests in court. They present evidence, argue legal points, and advocate for their client during hearings and trial proceedings.

Overall, an experienced California family lawyer can play a critical role in guiding clients through the legal complexities of divorce proceedings while also ensuring their rights are protected and helping them achieve the most favorable outcome possible.

FAQs for Divorce Attorneys

Q: Does Your Divorce Lawyer Have to Be Local?

A: No, your divorce lawyer does not have to be local to your city or country of residence. However, they do need to be licensed and in good standing in your state in order to represent you in legal matters. There are a few exceptions, such as attorneys who handle federal cases and have greater jurisdiction.

Q: How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in California?

A: On average, the total costs for hiring a divorce lawyer in California range between about $12,000-$15,000. Of course, there are many prominent factors that go into determining just how much a divorce lawyer will cost, such as the overall experience of the attorney, whether it’s a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce, and whether the case proceeds to a court trial.

Q: Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer in California?

A: You are not legally required to hire a divorce lawyer in order to file for divorce. However, it’s highly recommended in most cases, as an experienced divorce lawyer can help provide you with sound legal advice, build an aggressive strategy, file all necessary paperwork and ensure procedures are followed correctly, negotiate for you during mediation or in a trial, and ensure that your legal rights are upheld throughout the entire process.

Q: Is Everything Split 50-50 in a Divorce in California?

A: When it comes to divorce law, California is a 50/50 state in terms of the division of marital property. This means that any property that was acquired during the course of the marriage would be equally split between the two spouses in the event of a divorce. However, it’s important to know that in certain cases, the court may rule that the marital assets, which include property, be divided in a more equitable way, depending on a variety of specific factors regarding the spouse’s financial circumstances.

Finding a Kings County Divorce Lawyer that You Can Trust

Going through a divorce and dissolving any marriage, especially if children are involved, can be an extremely emotional legal matter, but you do not have to go through this alone. Our reputable family law attorneys are here to help guide you through each and every step of this complex and often overwhelming process. We are here to ensure that you and your spouse reach an equitable agreement that achieves the most favorable outcome possible for your family.

At Carlos Navarrete Law Firm, our team has more than two decades of overall family law experience representing individuals and families throughout the greater Kings County area and across California. Our team takes a personalized approach to every unique case, and we understand that each case deserves both diligence and compassion in order to achieve the most favorable outcome possible for the families involved.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team so that we can get started reviewing your unique case.