Guiding You Through the Divorce Process
Divorce is an emotional and stressful experience. When you hire a lawyer to represent you in a divorce case, you are looking for someone who not only knows the law but also understands what you are going through and is committed to helping you achieve a positive outcome.
At the Law Offices of Susan H. Witting, I strive to offer my California clients honest assessments, compassionate representation, creative resolutions and zealous advocacy. As a certified family law attorney, I have decades of experience helping California residents divorce and legally separate.
Keeping Your Options Open For Resolving Difficult Issues
The divorce process in California most times deals with community property of the marriage and how to divide it. If you have children, child custody and child support will need to be addressed. Spousal support may also be appropriate. These important issues can be resolved in several ways:
- Negotiation: A great majority of divorces can be resolved through negotiations between the parties and their attorneys. In such a case, a divorce can be resolved without either party possibly having to go to court. I firmly believe that a settlement where both parties can work it out with the help of experienced legal counsel provides an optimal outcome and reduced acrimony.
- Mediation: Mediation, as an option for settlement, generally involves the parties retaining an experienced family law attorney to help guide them neutrally on the law, explaining options, and assisting them in coming to a consensus. I have experience mediating many divorces over the years. This option keeps the parties in complete control of their divorce. I also can assist a party who is going through mediation but desires their own attorney to assist them in the process.
- Litigation: If negotiation does not resolve the issues in a family law case, the matter can go before a judge to hear and rule on contested issues. It is important to have experienced legal counsel at a hearing or trial before the Court to help navigate the complexities of the law and trial process.
It is important to keep all of these options open until your divorce is resolved. If you choose my firm to handle your case, I will assist in handling all of the necessary legal procedures and explore all options for resolving your case.
Legal Separation As An Alternative To Divorce
In some cases, couples may decide to legally separate and live apart rather than divorce. An individual may seek a legal separation due to religious or other personal or financial reasons, or because he or she hasn’t yet meet California’s legal residency requirements for divorce.
If you choose to legally separate from a spouse, you remain married in the eyes of the law, but go through a process much like during a divorce where you and your spouse negotiate and work out arrangements related to finances and related obligations, child custody and visitation and child and spousal support.
Call For Help With Your Divorce Or Legal Separation
My office is conveniently located right off the 101 freeway in Thousand Oaks with free parking. If you need assistance with your divorce or separation case, do not hesitate to call. You can reach me at 805-409-4138 or send me an email to schedule a consultation.