Divorce Preparation Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA
Making the decision to get divorced is usually a complicated one, but it can be made much simpler when both parties are prepared. Before you file for divorce, you and your spouse should take the time to gather any important documents that can help move the process along more quickly and easily. The right Los Angeles divorce preparation lawyers can help you gather information ahead of filing for a divorce and ensure you know what to expect.
Zitser Family Law Group, APC: Helping You Prepare for Divorce in Los Angeles
When you are prepared for divorce, it is important that you have strong legal representation on your side. The legal team at Zitser Family Law Group, APC can help kickstart the divorce process and effectively represent your interests every step of the way. Contact our office today to discuss your case.
Our legal team has over 20 years of experience helping families navigate the process of a divorce. We understand the numerous complexities that can arise in these cases, including complex assets, business valuation, hidden assets, high-profile divorces, and prenuptial agreements. Our attorneys understand the importance of dedicated, careful, and compassionate legal representation.
Every divorce is different, but all divorces follow some of the same processes: exchanging financial information, determining the equal division of assets, and making other choices about the split of a couple’s personal and financial affairs. When you are preparing for a divorce, you need an attorney with years of experience and the ability to tailor legal support to your unique needs and goals. At Zitser Family Law Group, APC, we want to help you.
How can I prepare for a divorce?
There are several financial documents you will want on hand, which will be needed in divorce discovery. This information will be used to determine what assets will be divided in the divorce, and determine the financial status of both parties to make decisions about alimony or child support. Here is a list of important documents to gather when preparing for divorce:
- TAX RETURNS: Copies of all federal and state income tax returns for the last three tax years.
- INCOME SINCE LAST TAX RETURN: Your and spouse’s pay stubs, copies of Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2, Form 1099 and/or 1099-INT, Form K-1s, and any and all other documents reflecting income received by you and your spouse for the last 12 months.
- BANK ACCOUNTS: Copies of bank statements and account statements for the last three years standing in your name and/or with your spouse.
- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Copies of financial statements or statements of net worth prepared by or for you, individually or jointly with your spouse.
- LOAN APPLICATIONS: Copies of loan applications and financial statements, which relate to any business or investment in which you or your spouse have any interest, plus all personal loan applications and personal financial statements of you and/or your spouse.
- PENSION, KEOGH, IRA, ETC…, PLANS: Plan summaries, annual beneficiary statements, periodic reports, relating to any retirement, pension, profit-sharing, stock option, or other employee benefit plan, in which you and/or your spouse have had any interest at any time during the period of your marriage.
- STOCK AND MUTUAL FUNDS: Copies of stock certificates, bonds, certificates of deposits, brokerage statements, and other documents evidencing investments or securities owned by you and your spouse.
- TRUST, ESTATES: Copies of trust agreements, fiduciary income tax returns, and periodic accountings relating to any trust in which you or your spouse have any interest.
- REAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP: Copies of deeds, policies of title insurance, copies of promissory notes, copies of deeds of trust, mortgages or other liens, and other records pertaining to any real property (houses, buildings, land, and the like) owned by you and/or your spouse.
- OBLIGATIONS AGAINST REAL PROPERTY: Copies of statements of account, bills, annual statements, and other records pertaining to all debts and obligations secured by deed(s) of trust or mortgage(s) on real property owned by you and/or your spouse.
- SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES, VAULTS, AND SAFES: Copies of all signature cards, agreements, and other records pertaining to all safety deposit boxes, vaults and/or safes standing in your and/or your spouse’s name
- AUTOMOBILES AND VEHICLES: Copies of Certificate(s) of Ownership (pink slip), registration cards or slips, and any other records pertaining to each and every vehicle owned by your and/or your spouse.
- LIFE INSURANCE: Copies of all life insurance policies, certificates, and other records and evidence of life insurance insuring your and/or your spouse’s life.
- PARTNERSHIP TAX RETURNS: Copies of partnership tax returns (both state and federal) filed by any partnership, limited partnership, or joint venture, in which you and/or your spouse have any interest
- CORPORATE TAX RETURNS:
Copies of corporate income tax returns (both state and federal) filed by any corporation in which you and/or your spouse have any interest. - BUSINESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Copies of financial statements for any proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, closely-held corporation and/or other legal entity in which you or your spouse have any interest.
- BANK RECORDS OF BUSINESS: Copies of bank statements and other documents standing in the name of, any business in which you and/or your spouse have any interest.
- SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS: Copies of contracts, monthly statements, and invoices relating to your membership or your spouse’s membership in any country club, beach club, or other social organizations.
- BILLS AND DEBTS: Copies of all bills, statements of account, and other records and documents evidencing your and your spouse’s present indebtedness.
- CREDIT CARDS AND CHARGE ACCOUNT RECORDS: Copies of monthly statements, billings, and invoices of any charge accounts with any credit card organizations, in your and/or your spouse’s name.
- COURT DOCUMENTS: Copies of pertinent court documents.
An attorney can help you with this list as well as other relevant documents depending on your unique situation. If you are getting a divorce with children, you will need information about their daily needs, schedules, school records, and a plan for their care. An attorney can help review your divorce case and ensure you have the necessary information.
Uncontested and Contested Divorces
California does not have any fault-based divorce, and all divorces are legally based on irreconcilable differences. Although all divorces are no-fault based, your divorce is either contested or uncontested.
In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse largely agree on the major parts of your separation agreement. This includes alimony, division of property, and decisions regarding children. While the details still need to be negotiated and outlined in the separation agreement, the process is typically much faster.
In a contested agreement, you and your spouse cannot agree on most or all of the aspects of your separation agreement. While these cases do not always require litigation, litigation is more likely, especially if spouses are unwilling to work together.
Knowing what to expect is important when preparing for the divorce process. It can help you know what to expect and how long the process may take.
Why Is It Important to Work With a Divorce Attorney?
When you work with a divorce attorney in preparation for your divorce, you make the entire process easier on yourself. A divorce is not easy to go through, even when you and your spouse are amicable. Both parties can become emotional, especially surrounding issues like the care of your children or the ownership of certain assets. If these disputes are not properly mediated, they may land the divorce in court, adding costs and complications to the process.
Spouses that get divorced without legal support can end up with unfair agreements that do not fully protect the rights of one spouse, even unintentionally. The process is also much more laborious and complicated without legal representation. An attorney helps you understand and protect your rights, and the rights of your family. Your divorce attorney works towards an amicable resolution that benefits your entire family.
There are numerous benefits a divorce lawyer brings, from the beginning to the resolution of your divorce. This includes:
- Legal Knowledge and Experience
Filing for a divorce requires paperwork, filed information, and legal documentation. While this may be the first time you have had to deal with the family court system, an attorney has navigated this process countless times. A lawyer can ensure you meet the requirements for filing paperwork and serving your spouse. Errors on these documents can prolong the divorce process, and an attorney can help you avoid this.
They will be able to help you understand your divorce case and your options for resolving it. When you are preparing for your case, your lawyer can help you gather the relevant information and tell you what you can expect. A divorce lawyer will know the laws on the state and local level that affect your case, helping you feel confident that you are proceeding properly with your case.
- Personalized Legal Advice
A divorce lawyer with years of experience in family law will be able to apply this knowledge to your specific case. Every divorce case is unique, but some divorces have common complications or specific requirements. An attorney’s advice about your case and how to effectively proceed will be based on years of knowledge and work with cases like yours. They may have creative resolutions for disputes and other advice that helps the process go more smoothly.
An attorney’s legal advice also helps you focus on your larger goals. It can be easy to get caught up in the numerous conflicting emotions of a divorce. Having effective legal support by your side can help you remain objective and ensure the decisions you make are reliant on useful information and your long-term interests.
- Support in Alternative Disputes Resolution
Many divorces do not have to be handled in litigation, and can instead use alternate methods like mediation or collaborative divorce. These negotiations are handled outside of court, often with a mediator and/or each spouse’s attorney. Negotiations help couples resolve divorces faster and with less stress. While they may not be right for every couple, they help many protect their privacy and their well-being.
An attorney can represent you in these proceedings, helping facilitate discussion between you and your spouse and defending your interests. Divorce lawyers have significant skills in negotiations, and can use this to help reach a favorable solution.
- Protect Your Personal and Financial Rights
A divorce makes several decisions about your finances and your family. Marital division must be divided equally, and spousal support must be assigned equitably. If you do not work with an attorney, you may end up in financial hardship due to oversights like failing to properly evaluate assets. Your divorce also determines the custody of your children. If you don’t have an attorney, you could end up with an unfair agreement.
By working with an attorney, you protect your interests, your financial stability, and your family’s overall well-being.
Contact an LA Divorce Attorney
If you are seriously considering divorce, now is the time to find strong legal representation that can effectively walk you through every step of the process. At Zitser Family Law Group, APC, we have the skill and experience necessary to help you find success in even the most complex divorce case. To discuss your situation with a legal team that has your best interests at the forefront, contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today.
