5 Tips to Facilitate Your California Divorce

California is a no-fault divorce state, which means the grounds for divorce are somewhat loose. However, it also means you need to have your ducks in a row in order to ensure your divorce proceeds as fairly and equitably as possible. Unlike other states, where infidelity or abuse can affect alimony, child support payments or determine how a couples assets are distributed, a California divorce usually results in a 50-50 division of assets unless the right evidence is brought the the table.

The following tips can help to facilitate your California divorce so your court proceedings move as quickly and as fairly as possible.

Prepare Yourself for a Divorce Using These 5 Tips

1. Utilize Family Law Consultations. Divorce is always convoluted, especially when children are involved. The average cost of divorce in the United States is just around $15,000. There's no reason to waste any money you don't have to so take advantage of free consultations from Family Law professionals, such as a lawyer or child custody private investigator, to help you plan a strategy. This can save you thousands in legal fees.
2. Consider professional mediation. In many cases, the longer the divorce drags on, the uglier it gets. If you and your spouse are in any kind of agreement, consider using Divorce Mediation services and avoid the bulk of traditional legal fees altogether. Divorce mediators are often licensed social workers and/or lawyers who specialize in helping couples agree to asset distribution, alimony, child support payments and child custody agreements without going to battle in the court room. This is another way to save thousands of dollars. Another bonus, many couples end up with a much more functional relationship and communications after the fact, which is healthier for the children.
3. Run an asset search. If you are at all in doubt regarding your spouse's earnings, spending, or debts, it is imperative that you run an asset search to uncover all of the financial information you can. If your spouse has cheated on you, there is a chance he or she has opened credit cards, bank accounts, or lines of credit of which you are unaware. If this is true, the results of your asset search can affect your alimony, the way assets are divided, child support payments, and the amount of debt the courts hold you responsible for. Failure to do your due diligence in regards to asset searches can result in you paying for your spouse's irresponsibility.
4. Protect yourself and your family. If you are at all in danger, or have been threatened by your spouse or ex-spouse, take immediate action to protect yourself. Get a Temporary Restratining Order (TRO) as soon as possible. This is an official document that is filed with the courts. In addition to helping to protect you and/or your children, it may also play a part in determining the nature of your child custody and child support agreements. If your spouse violates the TRO, you must take specific steps to ensure the TRO violations are documented, otherwise they can't be held against him or her when you go to court.
5. Prepare for child custody issues. Does your ex have a significant other? If so, how much do you know about him or her? What kind of lifestyle is your ex living now that he or she is single? The answers to these questions can weigh-in on the safety and quality of of the time your children spend with their other parent. Consider using a complete background check to make sure there is nothing negative, such as a criminal record or a history of prior sex offenses. If a complete background check uncovers less-than-desirable information about your ex or the people he or she associates with, you have a better chance of winning child custody, or tipping the scales in your favor.

Get expert advice before getting a divorce

Are you pursuing a divorce in California? Make sure you take advantage of free advice from professional family law experts before you make your move. Linked Investigations is a private investigation firm located in Southern California. We provide a full list of family law-oriented private investigative services, including background checks, asset searches, and surveillance services.