Divorce

Get information about California divorce, including the legal process, property division, child custody, support, and other important family law issues.

  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: March 3rd, 2015
    Protecting Your Business During a Divorce

    California is in the small minority of states that have community property. That generally means that each spouse owns half of the property accumulated during the marriage, regardless of how it's titled. It also means that each spouse is responsible for half of the debt incurred during the marriage. If you're going through a divorce, one of the last things you want is for your former spouse to be your business partner. The only thing that might be worse is being required to sell the business in order to pay…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: September 11th, 2026
    Securing Attorney Fees from Your Spouse during a California Divorce

    One of the most common questions we receive at Sarieh Family Law is, “How can I possibly afford a divorce?” It is a difficult question to answer because, in reality, divorce is often expensive. However, you should know that even if you are the lower income earner in your marriage, there are ways to get financial assistance for your divorce attorney fees, including securing fees from your spouse. Two Roads to Spouse Attorney’s Fees There are two major ways in which a court may order your spouse to pay for…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: September 11th, 2026
    Should I File for Divorce First? Does it Matter?

    Planning for a divorce is not the easiest thing in the world. It can lead to high levels of stress, emotional issues, depression, and sometimes bankruptcy. You can save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration by being the person who files for divorce first. Many people ask if this is important, and if it even matters. The bottom line is yes; it absolutely matters. Pace of the Proceedings The person who files for divorce typically has the ability to control how quickly the process moves. This means that…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: September 11th, 2026
    Divorce Strategies When You are Self-Employed

    Self-employment can be a blessing and it can be a curse, depending on what is happening in your personal life. Things can get really difficult when you are self-employed and need to file for divorce, or your spouse files for divorce. If this is the case, then you will have many questions that need to be answered so you can prepare for the process financially. File for Divorce First One of the strategies you must use when you are self-employed and headed for divorce is to file first, before your…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: September 11th, 2026
    Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders when Married

    Marriage can be one of the most difficult relationships for people today. This could be why nearly half of all marriages end in divorce in the United States. What should you do as a victim of domestic violence while married? How do you get a restraining order while married? What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence comes in all forms, and it can be committed against both men and women. There are five common forms of domestic violence, and they include physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and psychological. Even though domestic violence…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: November 3rd, 2014
    California is a No-Fault State: What Does This Mean for You?

    On the 1st of January, 1970, Governor of California (and future President) Ronald Reagan made California one of the first states to allow no-fault divorce. The latest, New York, only became a no-fault divorce state in 2010 – just four years ago. Many people hear the words “no-fault divorce” and wonder what they mean. While each state has different divorce laws, the no-fault divorce laws in California simplify the process of divorce by removing the requirement of proving wrongdoing. Prior to the introduction of no-fault divorce, married couples could only…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: October 30th, 2014
    5 Ways to Stay Civil With Your Ex During a Divorce Settlement

    Divorce is an incredibly difficult process, and one of the aspects that many people struggle with the most is getting along with their former partner. Although divorce is about ending your relationship, it often requires working together. The settlement phase of a divorce – during which you and your former spouse will reach an agreement regarding things such as child support, custody, visitation and alimony – can often be the most contentious and difficult part of the process. Many people go into a divorce settlement fueled by negative emotion. They…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: October 27th, 2014
    The 5 Most Common Reasons California Couples Get Divorced

    As a no-fault state, California allows dissolution of marriage on two grounds. The first is irreconcilable differences between spouses that have broken the marriage over time; the second is, surprisingly to many, incurable insanity. While the second grounds for marriage is only rarely used in California divorces, the first – irreconcilable differences – takes a variety of forms and ranges from changes in personal values and beliefs to infidelity or abusive behavior. As California divorce lawyers, we know that everyone’s marriage is different, and there are many reasons that a…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: October 21st, 2014
    10 Common Signs You Should Consider Filing for Divorce

    Although California is a no-fault state and people do not need to present evidence of wrongdoing in order to end their marriage, it’s still important to have a good reason to initiate divorce. As divorce lawyers in Orange County, we know that from a lack of happiness in your marriage to concerns that your partner could be a violent or manipulative person, there are many reasons to make the decision to end your marriage. In this guide, we’ll share 10 of the most common signs you should consider filing for…

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  • Divorce
    Divorce By: Wail Sarieh Last Updated: October 18th, 2014
    5 Things You Need to Make it Through Your Divorce

    Making it through a divorce is tough. Every year, of the hundreds of thousands of people that make the decision to end their marriages, many experience emotional pain ranging from frustration and guilt to anger and resentment. These emotions are normal – they’re part of going through a stressful, difficult part of your life and coming out the other side. As well as being normal, they’re entirely manageable with the right combination of attitude and preparation. In this guide, we’ll share five things – from a progress-focused life plan to…

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