Northern California Divorce Attorneys
Are you considering filing for divorce in California or have been served divorce papers? Choosing an attorney who will fight to protect your rights and interests can be the difference between an emotional roller coaster and a successful outcome.
Our experienced team of divorce lawyers and mediators at Lewellen | Strebe Family Law Group are here to listen to your unique situation and craft the best strategy possible to secure the best outcome possible. You can rest assured we will walk you through the full process, keeping you informed with expert advice and knowledge from start to finish.
Our family law team have represented clients just like you in both contested and uncontested divorce cases involving children or not. In any situation, our focus is to build a solid case that is in the best interest of you and your family.
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How to file for divorce?
There are many reasons why you or your spouse may decide to dissolve your marriage. No matter the reason, going through the process can be one of the most stressful, confusing, and emotionally draining experiences in your life.
Hiring an experienced divorce lawyer early in the process can help minimize some of the stressors that can arise during your divorce proceedings. With emotions running high, family law cases can quickly become messy and complicated to understand when trying to represent yourself. Our attorneys will work tirelessly and diligently for you to help limit the stress, anxiety, and financial difficulties which can commonly be found with divorce cases.
While divorce cases can vary depending on where they are filed and the specific issues and details, there are four common steps to get started:
- The first step in filing for divorce in California is filling out and filing Form FL-100, (also known as Petition – Marriage/Domestic Partnership) Form FL-110, (Family Law Summons) with the local Family Court Clerk’s Office.
- The forms must then be served to your spouse either by personal service or by mail with a Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt.
- After the papers are served a Form FL-115 (Proof of Service of Summons) must be filed with the County Clerk’s Office.
- The fourth step is to fill out and serve the Financial Disclosure Forms. The next steps can vary depending on if you and your spouse have already agreed to the terms of the divorce, or if there are issues being contested including child custody, child support, division of assets, as well as other factors.
I trust Kim’s experience!
“I trust Kim’s experience! Kim has been helping me through my child custody case. Kim has been great to me. She tells me exactly what needs to be done and I trust her experience. She answers all my questions and gives me clear answers. She has also been very patient which I appreciate. My case is still ongoing but so far she has helped me to get time with my kids that I want…” ~ Avvo
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Proven Divorce Process
From the moment you hire the Lewellen | Strebe Family Law Group our attorneys immediately jump into action to protect your rights and well-being. While every client’s case is unique and we craft our approach to each situation, we start each case with our proven steps which include:
We understand that going through a divorce can be a personal and emotional experience. Our process starts with a free one-hour initial consultation with our divorce attorney to review your case and answer your questions.
Attorney Kimberly Lewellen, who will work directly with you every step of the way. They will work with you to understand your unique situation and establish the best legal actions to achieve your goals.
Once we understand all the issues involved with your case, we can establish what type of legal strategies are available for you and gather all the documents the California Family Courts require.
While not every divorce case requires going to court, many do. Should your case go to court, you can have peace of mind our divorce attorneys have years of negotiating and advocacy experience to obtain the best result for our clients.
Additional Family Law Services We Provide
Divorce cases can vary due to many factors including children, property division, high-wealth cases, just to name a few. Our family law attorneys and professionals provide our clients with an exceptional depth of experience handling cases involving a wide range of legal issues, including:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Domestic violence restraining orders
- Division of property
- International or out-of-state removal of minor children
- Spousal support
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce.
What Should I do When I’m Served Divorce Papers?
How Much Does a Divorce Cost
How Long Does a Divorce Take?
California law requires no less than 6 months from the day the original petitioner officially informs their spouse of the divorce by serving them with divorce papers and filling the required documentation with the county clerk.
What is an Uncontested Divorce?
The two most common types of divorce are contested and uncontested. In order for your divorce to be considered uncontested, you and your spouse must agree on all of the terms to the divorce. This includes the division of property and finances, child custody, and support or other factors. In cases of an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse draft an agreement, complete and file the required documents with court clerk, in most case allowing you to avoid going to court. If you disagree on any issues you may still be able to avoid going to court by taking advantage of mediation.