Orange County Collaborative Divorce Lawyer

Orange County Collaborative Divorce Attorney

One of the most populated areas of Southern California, Orange County is a vibrant area, rich with coastal charm and several different areas of industry. Facing a divorce in Orange County can be overwhelming and intimidating. Some couples may wish to just get their divorce over with as quickly as possible. If you and your spouse can remain amicable, an Orange County collaborative divorce lawyer can help. If you’re just starting out and want to better understand your rights, speaking with an Orange County divorce lawyer can make the process feel less stressful.

At Minyard Morris, our team of attorneys has almost five decades of experience in helping Orange County residents through their divorce cases. We understand that most divorces are difficult and emotionally challenging. Often, no matter how dedicated you are to remaining amicable, tensions can still rise. However, some couples can still maintain a good relationship and mutual respect between themselves, leading to the option of a collaborative divorce.

Defining a Collaborative Divorce in Orange County

California has a current divorce rate of around 7.45%, meaning that around 75 out of every 1,000 residents will seek a divorce every year. For some of these couples, heated issues can arise, and aggressive legal advocacy will be necessary. For others, they may simply wish to just get their divorce over with as quickly and easily as possible.

In an Orange County collaborative divorce, you and your spouse, together with your divorce lawyers, can come together on agreements regarding all the issues in your divorce. These issues might include the division of community property or spousal support. This kind of divorce will not be successful if one or both of the parties refuse to cooperate.

In a collaborative divorce, however, before the couple sits down with their attorneys to discuss all marital issues and how they will be resolved, the couple must sign an agreement that they are willing to participate in this process. Then, they both must disclose all their assets and income to keep the process fair and protect themselves from fraud.

At Minyard Morris, we understand the desire to simply resolve your divorce as quickly as possible. Our team can guide and represent you through all aspects of a collaborative divorce. We can also protect your interests if issues get complicated between you and your spouse. Many divorces may start out collaboratively, but the relationship can quickly deteriorate as the proceedings take place. When this happens, it is vital to have an attorney on your side who can fight for you.

Benefits of an Orange County Collaborative Divorce

There are several benefits to seeking a collaborative divorce in Orange County. If you and your spouse are committed to remaining amicable, this might be the right choice for you. However, even with these benefits, it is still important that you have an attorney on your side. Divorce proceedings can suddenly erupt into distress and malicious intent. An attorney from Minyard Morris can let you know when it is the right time to abandon the collaborative process and fight.

The most common benefits of seeking a collaborative divorce in Orange County include:

• Saving money. Litigating a divorce in Orange County can be expensive. Although the median household income of the area is around $113,702, some people may not wish to spend their hard-earned income on unnecessary legal fees when they can remain amicable with their spouse. In a collaborative divorce, you can save much of your money, as these kinds of divorces tend to cost far less than litigating a divorce.
• Respectful resolution. Facing a courtroom trial for a divorce case can be emotionally difficult. It can often lead to stress and aggression on both sides. In a collaborative divorce, you can speak to your differences in a calm and respectful manner. You both can maintain emotional boundaries as your attorney guides you through the process.
• Save time. Courtroom divorce trials can drag on for months or even years. In a collaborative divorce, the length of the proceedings is entirely determined by you and your spouse. You don’t have to wait for a court date or the court’s availability.
• Maintain control. When you and your spouse decide upon a collaborative divorce, you can discuss all the terms of your case and maintain a sense of control over the result.

Many families going through divorce also rely on an Orange County family lawyer to help with child custody, support, and other related matters that go beyond just ending the marriage.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Downside of Collaborative Divorce?

A: One of the downsides of seeking a collaborative divorce in California is that there is often less opportunity to investigate the truth of certain matters, such as situations where one spouse might be hiding assets. Because the collaborative divorce process happens outside the courts, there may be fewer chances to contest any of the facts that are being presented.

Q: How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Orange County?

A: While there is no standard cost of a divorce in Orange County, several factors can influence the expenses involved in your case. These can include the duration of your divorce case, the complexity of the issues involved, and how amicable and collaborative you and your spouse can remain throughout the process.

Q: What Are the Steps of a Collaborative Divorce in Orange County?

A: To settle a collaborative divorce, you and your spouse must first make a list of all your income and assets, supported by bank statements and tax returns. You, your spouse, and your attorneys can then go over all the aspects of your divorce and resolve any outstanding issues. Once this step is complete, both parties can write down a final agreement and submit it to the California Superior Court in Orange County.

Q: What Roles Does a Lawyer Have in a Collaborative Divorce?

A: In an Orange County collaborative divorce, your lawyer can guide and represent you throughout the overall process. Though you are in control during a collaborative divorce, your attorneys can offer assistance and legal advice. Should a collaborative divorce turn ugly, your attorney can help you end the process and fight for what you deserve.

Contact Minyard Morris Today

At Minyard Morris, we can help if you decide a collaborative divorce works right for your unique circumstances. We can also represent you if a collaborative divorce turns into something more disputed. Whatever your case entails, we can advance your interests. Contact our offices today to learn more about our collaborative divorce services.