If child custody, property division, spousal support or other key issues in your California divorce will be intensely disputed, the legal counsel you choose is critical. That choice can be equally important if you hope to work out an amicable divorce but have significant financial assets on the line.
A Legal Team Adept at Overcoming the Challenges You Face
If you suspect that you are in for a complex divorce process for any reason, you need a proven family law firm on your side. At the Burch Shepard Family Law Group, dedicated attorneys are adept at spotting and thoroughly analyzing complex issues.
We get the jump on potential problems by calling in the right expert resources, assembling compelling evidence and forming winning strategies. If the opposition refuses fair offers to compromise, we know how to win at trial.
A few of the many issues that can make a divorce complex and challenging to resolve are:
Disagreements over child custody and parenting time — often requiring custody evaluations, careful selection of minor's counsel and other proactive steps.
Either parent's desire to move away from the Orange County area with children.
The need to properly value and equitably divide complex assets, such as real estate holdings, business interests and investment accounts.
Complex income calculation issues and tax considerations.
Allegations involving hidden assets and the failure to provide full financial disclosure, calling for forensic accounting services and a lawyer equipped to interpret and present the findings effectively.
Questions involving the validity and enforceability of a prenuptial agreement or other contracts.
Custody Dispute? High Net Worth? We Can Handle All Your Complex Issues.
Our attorneys will make managing the overall financial and personal outcomes of your divorce our foremost concerns from day one. We strive for positive results in complex California divorce cases through the utmost in preparation and advocacy for our clients.
Whether the right path for you proves to be a negotiated settlement, divorce mediation or divorce litigation, you should have the peace of mind that comes with hiring impeccably qualified representation.
Schedule a consultation focused on your complex divorce concerns. Contact our law offices today by calling (949) 565-4158!
“Thank you for all of your guidance and support through this journey!”
I just wanted to send you a HUGE thank you for all of your support through this process. I am thrilled with the outcome today and so relieved that this is coming to a close. Thank you for all of your guidance and support through this journey.
Former Client
“I would not hesitate to recommend Courtney Shepard and her team to anyone in need of quality representation in their divorce.”
“They made the divorce process so much less stressful than it could have been. I would not hesitate to recommend Courtney Shepard and her team to anyone in need of quality representation in their divorce.”
Former Client
“A brilliantly educated pit bull”
“True brilliance in action is a site to behold. At this point I am comfortable with everything she was able to help me with, and I know that she will be the first call I make, if I have any other future issues that require the courts intervention.”
Former Client
“THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING.”
I am thankful for a attorney Robert, for his wonderful representation. His professionalism, and the way he carries himself with so much authority and knowledge is making this process run Smoothly. The delay in the process has given my children and I time, space, peace of mind and the healing we needed so much, thank you. God knows the right timing and the right results and He sends us the right persons to work things out. You are all a team of wonderful people. Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Divorce
Do I Have to be a California Resident to Divorce Here?
To file for divorce, you must be able to prove California residency for six months and residency in the county where you file for at least three months. The respondent or "defendant" spouse in a divorce case does not have to be a California resident, however.
What are Some of the Key Early Steps in the Divorce Process, and How Long Does it Take?
Divorce proceedings begin when either spouse files a petition that is served on the other. The person served then has 30 days to file a response, or the case proceeds without that response toward a likely final judgment about six months later.
If there is a response, the parties begin the process of exchanging information and, typically, attempting to negotiate a marital settlement agreement either on their own or in a mandatory conference in court. Every case is different, and the entire process can take anywhere from months to several years.
Do I Need to Prove My Spouse Is at Fault for Causing the Divorce?
No. California is a "no fault" divorce state. Grounds for divorce are not considered, although the court may consider many factors when issuing orders on child custody and other issues.
How Do I Get Started if I Have Decided I Want a Divorce — or a Legal Separation?
Our divorce attorneys strongly encourage you to contact an experienced, qualified lawyer — ideally, one who focuses exclusively on family law. Pursuing a do-it-yourself divorce is legal but filled with traps and potential complications.
At the Burch Shepard Family Law Group, our Orange County divorce lawyers have guided many hundreds of men and women through divorces of all levels of complexity. We emphasize preparation and results, always putting our clients' needs and best interests first.
