Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce
When people come to the Law Offices of Demetria L. Graves seeking a divorce, they inevitably have many questions — about the process, their rights, and most of all, what the future will hold for them.
I provide answers to these questions and use a detailed case management case plan to make the process seem clearer and less intimidating. My goal is to resolve all outstanding issues in an efficient and satisfactory manner.
Contact my Los Angeles law office online or call 866-930-0582 to schedule a free initial consultation regarding your divorce.
Divorce FAQs
How long does the divorce process take?
To a large degree of this depends on the attitudes of the spouses and the nature of the outstanding issues that need to be resolved. Below are some examples that may impact the timing. However, these may not pertain to your case.
- An amicable or uncontested divorce involving no children or significant property issues may be completed in as little as three months.
- A more typical situation involving children or a house, but no contentious issues may take about six months to a year, again depending on the attitudes of the spouses and everyone's willingness to amicably solve their case. This can also take over a year if there is high conflict
- A highly contested divorce involving disputes over child custody and visitation, or division of property, division of assets and debts may involve litigation extending over one or more years.
Based on the above, it is crucial to determine your goals for your dissolution and/or custody arrangements so you don't spend countless hours and many dollars "fighting" your case.
How much will my divorce cost?
Again, this depends on your circumstances and what issues must be resolved. Also, I will consider how you wish to proceed with your concerns. Should you choose to proceed with your dissolution as an “uncontested” matter, the costs will be much less. When we discuss your situation, I can provide an estimate based on your situation and goals. I will work to achieve your divorce in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
What will the level of child support or spousal support be?
The level of child support depends on the incomes of the parents and the residency of the child with each, adjusted for certain expenses. I can discuss your situation in detail. Spousal support is also generally based on several factors, including income, the parties' ability to pay spousal support, and other factors which we can discuss.
More information about these subjects can be found on the child support and spousal support pages.
Can I kick my spouse or partner out of the house?
Typically (absent domestic violence or the threat of violence) you cannot, but this would all depend on the facts of each individual case. What you can do is develop new guidelines for living together during the divorce process, such as:
- Respecting each other's privacy and personhood
- Establishing boundaries and standards of acceptable behavior
- Making a conscious effort to avoid potential areas of conflict
Remember, you and your spouse have already made the decision to divorce. You should try to focus on the future rather than on the wrongs of the past.
What do we tell the kids?
It is always better to do this together with your spouse which will show the kids that although you are getting a divorce, you still respect each other. You should make it clear that the divorce is not your children's fault, and that life will be better for everyone after the divorce. You may want to discuss how to approach this task with your spouse before speaking with your children.
You probably have more questions relating to your specific situation. I can answer these questions and discuss how I can help you make a successful transition to life after divorce. Some helpful tips on "Protecting Your Children During Divorce" can be viewed on our Podcast.
For a free initial consultation with a Los Angeles family attorney, call toll free 866-930-0582 or contact me online.
Located in Glendale, I serve clients throughout the greater Los Angeles, California area.
