31Mar 2022 by Pat Geddie
What are the First Signs of Divorce?

What are the First Signs of Divorce?

Divorce
Some couples divorce following a single event that is unacceptable to one spouse, such as adultery or domestic violence. However, for most people, the idea of divorce arises gradually. Some spouses might not even realize that the other is considering divorce until they file a case. It is preferable to know when a divorce might be on the horizon so you can prepare. If you notice any signs of a possible divorce, you should consult with a Huntington Beach divorce attorney as soon as possible. Some signs that you or your spouse might file for divorce in the near future include: Your communication has devolved, and you cannot seem to improve itYou feel a growing distance between youYou and your spouse have different goals and priorities for the future Sometimes,…
Read More
31Mar 2022 by Pat Geddie
Is Your Spouse Concealing Assets?

Is Your Spouse Concealing Assets?

Divorce
Part of a divorce is dividing all marital property and assets between the spouses. The first step is to inventory all your property and assets, so you and your attorney have an overview of what must be divided. Sometimes, a spouse will attempt to conceal certain assets to avoid having to divide them, and this can lead to serious issues in a divorce case. Some people do not have a complete idea of their marital finances. Perhaps your spouse always handled the financial affairs, or they opened accounts without your knowledge. You want an attorney who can uncover all information related to your marital assets to ensure you receive a fair result in your case. Some ways that spouses might hide assets include: Having secret individual financial or investment accountsUsing…
Read More
28Feb 2022 by Pat Geddie
Are You Unsure About Your Divorce Case?

Are You Unsure About Your Divorce Case?

Divorce
Some people go through phases where they fight with their spouses and want to end their marriages, so they might file for divorce. Once the divorce is in progress, they might wonder if they are making the right decision. Perhaps you and your spouse are getting along better. Maybe you went to therapy and decided to work things out. Whatever the reason, if you’re unsure about your divorce case, can you pause it? In California, you cannot simply halt your divorce if you are uncertain. Instead, your Huntington Beach divorce lawyer will need to file a motion for continuance with the court. The judge will then decide whether to grant it and give you extra time to decide what you want. If a judge recognizes that you might want to…
Read More
28Feb 2022 by Pat Geddie
Divorce as a Business Owner

Divorce as a Business Owner

Divorce
Dividing your property in a California divorce can be complicated even if you have relatively straightforward property and assets. As a community property state, the law requires spouses to divide all their shared community property as evenly as possible. But what happens when one spouse owns a business? Can that spouse keep the business, or will they have to divide it? Business interests are community property like anything else in a marriage. Consider the following: If you started the business during the marriage, the entire business would be community property. If you started the business before the marriage, any increase in value during the marriage would be community property. As you can imagine, this is not the simplest situation to address. If the entire business is community property, your spouse…
Read More
27Jan 2022 by Pat Geddie
Does It Matter Who Files for Divorce?

Does It Matter Who Files for Divorce?

Divorce
In the big picture, no, it does not matter who files divorce first. However, if you take a deeper look, you’ll find that there are some advantages to being the one who starts the process. First, you can set out what you would like in the divorce petition, and your spouse would file a response including what they want (if it is different). This puts you in a proactive position instead of a reactive one. In some cases, this makes no difference - for instance, if you and your spouse agree on all relevant matters - but in others, it might give you an advantage. If you and your spouse are unable to settle property division, support, or child custody, and the case needs to go before the judge, the…
Read More
27Jan 2022 by Pat Geddie
California Has a Divorce Waiting Period

California Has a Divorce Waiting Period

Divorce
While Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, and Virginia have no divorce waiting period at all, all other states do require that couples wait a certain amount of time before their divorces can be finalized, and this is certainly the case for divorces in California. Why Do States Have Divorce Waiting Periods? With a significant percentage of marriages ending in divorce these days, most state legislatures feel a divorce waiting period is a good idea. It forces couples to go to their separate corners, sleep on it, take some time apart, and really make sure there is no way to save their union. Some spouses use this time to reconcile while others simply wait it out, never straying from the plan to divorce.…
Read More
31Dec 2021 by Pat Geddie
Factors that Might Complicate Your Divorce

Factors that Might Complicate Your Divorce

Divorce
Getting divorced is always complicated - at least emotionally. Ending a marriage can be stressful, even if you know it is the right thing to do. In some cases, people obtain a divorce with relative ease, as they file an uncontested divorce and have it granted after the required waiting period. On the other hand, some couples have many factors that can make a divorce case far more complicated. Some factors that might cause complexities and challenges in a divorce include: You both want to keep the family homeYou have children, and one parent does not want to share custodyDomestic violence against one spouse or a childHigh assets and net worthOwning complicated property and assetsHaving high shared debtsOne or both spouses own a businessThere will be a discrepancy in financial…
Read More
31Dec 2021 by Pat Geddie
First Steps to File for Divorce in 2022

First Steps to File for Divorce in 2022

Divorce
Once the holidays are over, and things go back to normal, many people decide it is time to file for divorce. Whether you held out during the holidays knowing you wanted a divorce or the stress of the holidays added conflict to your marriage, you should not hesitate to take the first steps toward this legal process. First of all, you should seek help from a Huntington Beach divorce lawyer. This is true even if you are not 100 percent sure you want to move forward with a divorce. Our law firm can explain the process to you, tell you what you might expect, and advise on steps you can take to prepare for a divorce. Sometimes, hearing about the process helps to solidify your decision one way or the…
Read More
27Nov 2021 by Pat Geddie
What is No-Fault Divorce?

What is No-Fault Divorce?

Divorce
The way in which couples divorce has evolved with time, and in the modern world, it can be a relatively simple process compared to the divorce cases of the past. Decades ago, a cause for the divorce was often required, and one party was considered to be at fault for the divorce - whether due to abuse, abandonment, infidelity, or other listed reasons. When there was no fault present, a divorce could not be granted, and spouses were forced to remain legally married. The “no-fault” divorce option has changed this, and California was the first state to allow no-fault divorces in the U.S. No-fault divorce makes the process easier, as no one has to prove misconduct of the other spouse. However, no-fault divorces can still be complicated, and you should…
Read More
27Nov 2021 by Pat Geddie
Many People File for Divorce Right After the Holidays

Many People File for Divorce Right After the Holidays

Divorce
For some, the holidays are a magical time of vacation from work and giving and receiving gifts, while for others, it is a stress-laden time for financial, emotional, familial, or professional reasons. For many married couples, the holidays are stressful, and divorces increase during stressful times. In addition, many people who know they want a divorce decide not to “ruin” the holiday season by filing a case and telling their spouses. Instead, they wait until after the New Year and file then. There is often a spike in divorce cases during the first quarter of each new year, and 2022 will likely be no different. An experienced Huntington Beach divorce attorney from Furubotten Law can provide insight if you are considering divorce and advise you on how to best proceed.…
Read More