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In Divorce

Top 5 Items Not to Post on Facebook While Going Through a Divorce

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Social media and divorce do not mix.

While one might think that complete deletion of all platforms- Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, Instagram, and whatever else may become popular in the time that is posted- this is not always the case. Deactivating your account, can be viewed as though you are trying to hide assets or information from your spouse or their legal team. With Social media and divorce you must assume that everything you post can and will be seen by both your spouse (through mutual friends) and in turn their legal team. Social media and divorce hurts in several ways- personally it can make you seem weak or desperate, but perhaps most importantly it can provide ammo to your opposing legal team.

     1. Pictures

Pictures of you out with friends either drinking or partying should not be posted. Even if this is not a common occurrence for you, images such as these can be used as proof that you are an unfit parent and become evidence in a custody battle. Social media and divorce can turn into the main argument in a custody case.

     2. Status Updates

Social media and divorce tends to destroy the best things about social media in general, such as status updates.  It is great to post about the good things in your life but this can also hurt you. Avoid updates about going out, or speaking negatively about your soon to be ex spouse, or even the court case as all of this can be used against you in court.

     3.New Purchases

Retail therapy is a real thing! However posting about new purchases is can be detrimental to a claim for spousal support. Even if you are excited for a little bit of joy, this indicates a financial stability, either hidden in discovery or implying you don’t need spousal support.

     4.Workplace Humblebrags

Avoid openly bragging about bonuses or promotions at work. While this may seem like a way to show the world you’re doing very well post-separation, one might feel like this is the best use of Social Media and divorce, but it still is proof that you have financial assets that your spouse can go after.

     5.Private Messages

Remember that even your private messages are up for grabs in the discovery period. Do not put anything in writing that you do not want a judge to read as if it exists on social media, it can be found. Think of social media activity as both public and permanent.

These same rules apply to your former spouse as well. Social Media and divorce is not a one way street. Keep an eye on his or her accounts (mutual friends can be useful for this) for the same purposes- photographs or messages that hint at hidden assets or perjury on financial statements.

Most of all, remember to exercise control and common sense with Social Media and divorce. Just to be safe- stick to pictures of your pet and uplifting quotes. Assume that anything you post can be viewed by both your ex spouse, so be sure to present an image of a happy, stable, responsible person.

Navigating social media and divorce at the same time can be tricky! That is why it is best to consult with a lawyer who specializes in divorce or family law. They will know the best way to advise you regarding these sensitive issues.

In Division of Marital Assets, Divorce

5 Tips For Protecing Separate Property During A Divorce

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Marriage can be a wonderful and blissful union. However, some find the bliss turns into disdain over time and divorce may become an option. As a result, you may find you are completely stressed about losing property, owing debtors and protecting your assets and income as a whole. Most importantly most people are worried about losing their separate property during a divorce.

The below top five tips highlight the key steps for protecting separate property during a divorce.

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In Division of Marital Assets, Divorce

FAQ: How Do I File My Taxes During A Divorce?

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I constantly get asked, “how do I file my taxes during a divorce?”  This is one aspect of divorce that is often overlooked as there is no easy answer to this question.  How you (and your former spouse) will file your tax returns during or after your marital dissolution depends on a multitude of factors. The decisions you make on this can have far-reaching financial consequences, so be sure to talk to your family law attorney and accountant so that you understand what lies ahead. Here are answers to some of the most common divorce tax questions we hear from clients.

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In Divorce, Family Law Blog

FAQ: How Much Does Divorce Cost and Who Pays For it?

divorce-cost

Choosing to divorce is not usually an easy decision, but once that decision has been made, thoughts can quickly turn to how much it will cost. Most people find themselves asking how much does divorce cost as everyone has heard horror stories of divorcing couples who lost their entire savings after going to war over the most minor of details. Those cases are actually rare, though, and the cost of a divorce in California usually runs from $2,000 to $20,000.

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In Division of Marital Assets, Divorce, Family Law Blog

5 Little Known Ways to Save Your Sanity During a Divorce

Save-Your-Sanity

Save Your Sanity During A Divorce!

Going through a divorce is one of the most stressful life events that can happen to an individual. Through the pain, confusion, anger, and frustration of the emotional turmoil, not to mention legal headaches, it is important to find ways to save your sanity during divorce so you can come out the other side stable and ready to start this new chapter of your life.

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In Division of Marital Assets, Divorce, Family Law Blog

Timeline for Divorce in California

Timeline-for-Divorce-Sign

There is a timeline for divorce in California which begins once you have filed and served your divorce papers.  There are certain steps that need to happen before your marital status can be officially terminated.

6 Month Waiting Period in CA

A divorce in California will take at least 6 months, but could also take several years depending on the individuals involved. A simple, uncontested divorce will normally take 6 months to complete and is the soonest a couple can divorce, due to the mandatory waiting period in California. Seeking legal expertise from professional attorneys like Minella Law Group is always advisable, couples who are going through a divorce are advised to give mediation and or settlement a solid try before appearing before a judge. The reason is that when an authoritative entity enters into the situation, a substantial amount of control is given over to the court in the interest of having matters decided for you. Obviously, a settlement created by a judge may or may not create finality that you find satisfactory. If children are involved, there are added risks in giving over the control to a judge, and will be more difficult to adjust later and/or amend after your day in court.

Dissolution of Divorce

A Dissolution of divorce begins with the actual decision of becoming divorced. The petition for dissolution is prepared with the help of a capable attorney who prepared the petition detailing the way the divorce-seeking party would like to settle matters such as property, custody, and spousal support. The attorney then files the petition with the court and has the other party personally served. If the other party does not agree with the terms, they have 30 days to file a response to the petition. Before the settlement discussions can start, all financial documents and information referring to the case must be exchanged.  If the parties cannot settle their case, it will be set for trial.  Each party will present the evidence supporting their position in the divorce. Once the judge has heard all of the testimony, he or she will render a decision on how to settle the case. If one party of both parties are not satisfied with the terms set forth by the judge, it is possible to file an appeal.

Child Custody and Visitation

During a divorce, serious disagreements may arise over child custody that require experienced attorneys like Minella Law Group.  Child custody disputes must be dealt with prior to the case being finalized. If the parties cannot agree on custody, it is important to get started by filing a motion in court to have the child share plan decided. There could be other issues involved such as child support, spousal support, and attorney fees that also need to be decided. It can take months to participate in custody mediation and to ultimately get a decision from a judge, so it is best to start right away.

Finalizing your Divorce

Once all the issues have been resolved, the judgment will be submitted to court for review and filing.  The judge will review the judgment of dissolution to ensure that all terms are fair and that the paperwork is filled out properly.  The judge will sign and terminate your marital status restoring your single status.

Summary

Despite there being a timeline for divorce in California, your divorce does not have to drag on and on. The experienced staff at Minella Law Group can advise you of your rights and assist you making the divorce process as painless as possible.  For more information or to schedule a consultation, click the button below, or call us at 619-289-7948.  We look forward to helping you!

In Division of Marital Assets, Divorce, Family Law Blog

10 Ways to Protect Your Money During Divorce

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Divorce is often a messy, complicated and emotionally charged affair.  Hasty or poor decisions made regarding the division of money and property may haunt you after the dust has settled.  There are actions you can take to protect your money during divorce, even if you are just considering a divorce.  The following tips are also wise to take into consideration if you are about to get married, especially if one person is entering the union with a great deal more wealth than the other.

Keep in mind that there are Community Property States and Equitable Distribution States. A Community Property State requires that the “marital assets” be split in half equally; California is a Community Property State.

     1. Consider the After Tax Value of Funds and Assets.

  • For example, should your ex offer you a $50,000 IRA in exchange for $50,000 in a bank account, he or she would have access to all of the funds immediately.  Should you need access to the funds you would have to pay the taxes and penalties for cashing out the IRA early and could be left with only half of the money

     2. Resist the Temptation to Wage War Against Your Adversarial Spouse.

  • The extra 10% they may be asking for could end up costing you less than the lawyer’s fees in an all out legal battle.  It’s best to avoid confrontation and keep the peace.
  • You can choose to have an attorney and have an amicable dissolution, it does not have to cost you everything you are fighting to keep.

     3. Funds you Have Had in Accounts Before the Marriage Remain Yours Unless you Have Commingled the Money in a Joint Account.

  • In California, the presumption is that what you owned before marriage is yours unless there is evidence to rebut that presumption.
  • Also, if you owned property before marriage that property is most likely still yours unless you did something to rebut the presumption.

     4. Heirlooms Given Solely to you by your Family also Remain your Property.

  • Make sure you have proof that the items were indeed endowed only to you and not your spouse as well.
  • Wedding gifts can be characterized as community property.

     5. It’s a Good Idea to Hire a Professional Appraiser to Determine the Value of your Assets.

  • An appraiser can arbitrate the value of your spouse’s business as well.
  • It is also a good idea to get an appraisal of any real property to avoid disputes as to valuation.

     6. Community Property is Assessed at Market Value.

  • For example, the $250 pots and pans set you both own might only be worth $75 used.

     7. You or your Spouse are Allowed to Return to the Residence and Claim Belongings if Either of you have Moved out.

  • If you hired a locksmith to change the locks, your spouse can legally hire another locksmith to change them again and gain access to the residence unless there is a restraining order in place.
  • You cannot make unilateral decisions on the division of property, they have to be joint decisions or decided by a court.

     8. Spousal Support can be for Life

  • In a state such as California, if you have been married for more than 10 years the spouse earning the least amount of money has the right to receive alimony for as long as he or she needs.

     9. It’s a Bad Idea to try and Hide your Funds and Assets.

  • There is a legal process in all states called “discovery”.  Your spouse has the right to obtain information regarding all of your accounts and places where you may have stashed assets. You will likely have to provide live testimony that you have been truthful about your finances.
  • You could be charged with perjury and fined if you are caught lying and lose 100% of that asset if you did try to lie.  It’s best to hire a good divorce attorney who will help you get the best settlement possible.

     10. Prenuptial Agreements can Potentially be Contested or Require Costly Legal Action to Uphold.

  • A prenuptial agreement does not guarantee a fight at divorce but it can be helpful to identify what is separate property before walking into the marriage.
  • Some people have found that a Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) can protect their funds in the event of a divorce.  A DAPT is an irrevocable trust that prevents creditors from accessing your money and in some cases, can prevent your spouse from accessing it as well.  You should investigate the viability of a DAPT because the rules are different from state to state.

Summary

Divorce can be a financially devastating process, but there are ways to minimize the risk and the financial loss to your assets and property. Minella Law Group can assist you to protect your money during a divorce. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click the button below, or call us at 619-289-7948.  We look forward to helping you.

In Divorce, Family Law Blog

My Spouse Filed for Divorce: A Step By Step Guide to Divorce

Getting divorced is never easy, especially when you have been served with divorce papers and you have no idea what to do! Sometimes all you need is a step by step guide to divorce and what to do next.

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What do I do Now That my Spouse has Filed for Divorce?

There are several steps that will need to be followed once you have learned that your spouse has filed for a divorce.

  • You will be Served copies of the court forms your spouse has filed
  • You will at this point be considered the Respondent and your Spouse will be the Petitioner.
  • You will need to decide how you want to respond to the served paperwork, you have a few options

I Have Been Served How do I Know What to do?

Now is a good time to consult with a lawyer about what your best options are and advice you on how to proceed because it get complicated from here. Once you have been officially served you have two choices you can make, respond to the petition or begin communications on settlement. Your lawyer can help you decide which will serve your needs best.

You Can Choose to not Respond and Settle Amicably

If you have consulted with your lawyer and decide you do not wish to file a response you can simply wait and do nothing. In these cases the Petitioner will be required to file all necessary paperwork and go before the Judge for final decisions. If you and your spouse had agreed on everything and you agreed with what his paperwork stated, this might be the option your lawyer recommends. However be advised that since you didn’t file a Response the court can only go by what your Spouse has filed as Petitioner, unless you both agree otherwise. All decisions and court judgments will be based off of the Petitioner alone.

I Want to File A Response

You can choose to file a response back to the court stating your side of the case. In this situation your lawyer can help you decide the best way to fill out your response paperwork in order for your side to be equally represented. You only have 30 days to file a response with the court. There are special forms from the court house you need to fill out. After filling them out, you must file the papers with the court. There is a fee for filing. At this point someone will serve the Petitioner (your Spouse) copies of your court documents. Your lawyer will help make this as smooth as possible because they already have the correct documents and knows what to file.

Once the Petitioner has been served both of you will need to exchange financial documents. Basically this is where you will be figuring out the total marital debt, assets, and property in order to divide it fairly. These papers, called the declaration of disclosure, will also need to be exchanged and filed. A lawyer can make this process easier for both parties because it is easy to become emotional and angry at this point. Your lawyer will maintain a cool head and help you stay calm,  remember we are here for YOU!

Am I Divorced Yet?

To divorce all required paperwork must be submitted. Next a judgment from the court stating the terms of your divorce is obtained.  You may or may not have to appear before the judge. Your lawyer will let you know every step of the way.

It takes at least 6 months after filing all the paperwork in order to become divorced. Even then it is not automatic. There are still more papers to be filed with the court. The final steps and paperwork must be done exactly as they are described in the paperwork in order to finalize your divorce. Again your lawyer will ensure all documents get filed a necessary for you.

Summary

Even with a step by step guide to divorce, it is complicated! There are a lot of steps to take you from step to finish.  Proper procedure and paperwork will ensure that the process is as smooth as possible.

Minella Law Group can help you complete the process and take away all the unknowns and need for a step by step guide to divorce.  For more information or to schedule a consultation, click the button below, or call us at 619-289-7948.  We look forward to helping you.

In Divorce, Family Law Blog

How to File for Divorce in California

              

How to file for divorce in CaliforniaInitial Reactions: How to File for 

 Divorce in California

 

Divorce is  difficult! The process of divorcing can be extremely painful for a person, and for a couple. Sometimes divorce completely takes you by surprise even if you felt it was a possibility. You have so many feelings tied up together that you are going to have to sort out. You may find yourself depressed, angry, emotional, unable to sleep or any number of feelings. You might have feelings of worthlessness, guilt or shame but it is normal to feel this way. With four simple words, ” I want a divorce, ” your world has changed, you have stepped out of your normal everyday life.. You may feel your world has shattered or broken. You are probably feeling confused and unsure of what to do next or who to go to for help. You instantly begin thinking about how to file for divorce in California. Not knowing the answer to the question how to file for divorce in California can be VERY stressful, but rest assured there are plenty of resources and help available.

Where to Begin When Determining How to File for Divorce in California?

There is so much involved in dissolving a marriage between two people. You are also dissolving the life you had come to know. Money, children, debts and the division of property become huge deals. It can be quite lengthy to divorce and there are many steps along the way. Regardless of your divorce being uncontested or contested there is a lot of time and paperwork involved. All of the paperwork must be prepared and filed in a certain order and in the proper locations. It can really ease the burden of divorce to have someone knowledgeable assist you to fill out all the proper forms that are required, as well as guide you through how to file for divorce in California.

California is considered a No Fault State for Divorce

No fault basically means the petitioner doesn’t have to have a particular reason or prove anything in order to divorce. All it takes is one person wanting out of the marriage. There are different types of divorces. Some are amicable and some get nasty, and everywhere in between. California wants to divide the marital assets and debt equally, family court is a court of equity. Other factors need to be taken into consideration however because it’s not always that simple. Factors such as child support, spousal support, disabilities, stay at home parents and many other issues need to be considered. At times like these it can be really helpful to know where to go and who to ask for help. Thankfully you do not have to do this alone. Here at Minella Law Group, we go through the work with you and for you. We are there every step of the way to ensure your rights and to make the process as easy as possible during this very difficult time.

My Spouse and I are in Complete Agreement to Divorce

If you and your spouse are in agreement over everything, this makes the divorce process much easier and it can save money. Your lawyer can help negotiate the issues that are holding up the settlement and inform both parties of their rights so that you both will be able to decide your total settlement and not have to step foot in a courtroom. This can be extremely beneficial especially if there are children involved since the stress of negotiating settlement will show. In some cases you may still need to make an appearance to agree that the paperwork filed for you is correct. It is important to remember that even if both parties are in full agreement, it will still take 6 months to finalize your divorce.

Couples Not in Agreement in Divorce Process

For couples who can not agree on anything, the divorce will need to be filed contested. These are difficult and can really take their toll emotionally on a person. This is why having Minella Law Group to protect your interests can be so important. We will fight for your rights to ensure that you get your fair share of the marital assets. We want you to experience as little heartache as possible so we will be the ones arguing for you. We will be there with you every step of the way and offer support as only an experienced family lawyer can provide. Divorce is difficult but together we can help you get through this process. We want you to be able to move on to begin the rest of your life with nothing holding you back. Divorce does not have to be the end, only a new beginning.

Summary

No matter your situation, divorce is not a fun process.  Filing for divorce is not something people anticipate but when you are facing divorce,  knowing how to file for divorce in California will help you take the initial steps.

Minella Law Group can help you with your divorce.  For more information or to schedule a consultation, click the button below, or call us at 619-289-7948.  We look forward to helping you.

 

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