Divorce
Divorce, step by step, with the fee agreed first
Whether you're ready or still deciding, divorce comes down to a handful of questions: who lives where, who owes what, and how the children's time is shared. I'll go through each one with you in plain words, in English or Spanish.
When you and your spouse agree, the work is mostly drafting and filing, and the fee is fixed. When you don't, we switch to a budget for each phase.
I take divorces where
You and your spouse agree on most things
You disagree and need someone to negotiate or speak in court
You're not sure yet and want to understand your options
Flat fee
Uncontested divorce, plus court fees
The fee
What a divorce fee actually covers
Review and plan
We go through your situation, list the decisions ahead and agree on the steps and the fee in writing.
Papers drafted and filed
Every form and every deadline, done correctly. You read each document before it goes out.
Agreement and judgment
The agreement on property, debts, support and the children, then the final judgment for the judge to sign.
Not in the fee
Court filing fees, process-server costs, and hearings if you and your spouse stop agreeing. I tell you before any of it adds up.
Before you file
Divorce questions, answered plainly
How long does a divorce take?
It depends on your court and on whether you and your spouse agree. An agreed divorce can be far quicker than a contested one, and some courts require a waiting period. I'll give you the timeline for your court on the first call.
Will I have to go to court?
Often not, for an agreed divorce, though some courts want one short hearing. A contested case can include several. I'll tell you which to expect.
What if my spouse won't sign or can't be found?
There are steps for both. A court can often move forward once a spouse has been properly served and doesn't respond. I'll explain the steps and what each one costs.
What should I bring to the first call?
Your marriage date, the children's birthdates, a rough list of income, accounts, debts and property. Missing pieces are fine. We can start with what you know.
Bring what you have. We'll sort the rest.
A first call to see which package fits, and the fee in writing before you decide.