Escondido Divorce Attorney
Last updated on November 19, 2024
Getting a divorce can be one of the biggest changes in anyone’s life. Whether you want to pursue a collaborative divorce or need to resolve it through litigation, you should be sure that you have a skilled Escondido divorce attorney looking out for your best interests throughout the process.
At Dahann Bowers Law, I know what it takes to make your voice heard through your divorce. I am attorney Dahann Bowers, and I can help you avoid critical mistakes in your case, weigh the options that you have available to you and pursue the goals that you set for you and your family. Whether you need help with a standard divorce, a mediated divorce or a military divorce in California, I can help. I am also your ally if you are experiencing domestic abuse, and I can help you get away from your abuser.
Overcoming The Challenges Of Your Divorce
My goals as your divorce lawyer are ensuring that you are keeping your fair share in asset division, securing a custody and support agreement that is right for your children, and resolving things quickly. When you come to me for help, I will answer all of your questions and ensure that you understand the entire divorce process. I pursue that goal by exploring all available options in your case and tailoring a customized strategy to lead you through your divorce.
Without the guidance of a skilled Escondido divorce lawyer, you take the risk of missing out on a custody, support and/or alimony agreement that is right for you. You may also leave money and assets on the table in your property division negotiations and litigation. You may have a premarital agreement that entitles you to more than what your spouse is willing to give you, and I can help you fight for that. With me at your side, you can be confident in your case.
Contested Divorce And The Impact On Families
Divorce is rarely an easy or amicable process, and in most situations, there will be turbulent and charged emotions on both sides. More often than not, this means that the divorce process is going to be long and fought bitterly at every point. When you and your spouse are fighting over assets or your children in court, you need to have a skilled divorce litigator on your side to advocate for you.
As an experienced divorce lawyer, I offer representation in both amicable and contentious divorce cases to fit the needs of my clients. I have nearly a decade of experience taking on complex and challenging divorces for my clients, where every issue is a battle that must be fought. As an experienced litigator, I can create a strong legal strategy to advocate for your rights and fight for your goals.
An Emotionally Charged Legal Process
As a local Escondido divorce lawyer, I have witnessed bitterly contested divorces involving complex assets, child custody and support, family heirlooms and all manner of other items that divorcing couples have fought over. When I prepare my cases, I spend significant time negotiating and gathering evidence to create a strong foundation for trial. Especially when valuable assets are involved, it is important to have a full accounting of all of the facts involved.
You should expect court appearances to be frequent in the lead-up to your trial, and the trial itself can take a massive toll on you, your spouse and your children. However, I will be your advocate, zealously arguing for you in court and fighting for your future.
The personal costs cannot be discounted. The future can be equally as combative with an ongoing negative tone that lasts months, years, decades and even lifetimes. The effect on children and others close to them can be life-altering. That is why I work diligently to achieve your goals for child custody and spousal support arrangements.
When Soon-To-Be Exes Are On The Same Page
Even spouses who previously could not agree on anything can come together when it is time to end their marriage. Being on the same page for your divorce eases the path to closure. I established my law firm to help Escondido-based residents through life-changing and highly emotional times. Throughout my career, I have taken on the challenges that come with significantly disputed and highly complex divorces.
For couples united in their desire to divorce, I provide the same level of compassionate advocacy in the mediation room as I do in the courtroom. Unlike divorce litigation, mediation is a much less confrontational and more peaceful process that encourages cooperation and the calm resolution of marital issues.
The Guidance Divorcing Spouses Need
During a time when divorces are in decline, uncontested divorces still represent the majority of all martial dissolutions. This process saves time and money while minimizing, if not outright eliminating, disputes. Some scenarios even see spouses starting the process with significant disputes, only to eventually find a path to mutual agreements.
Uncontested divorce includes the following factors:
- Both spouses agree to end their marriage
- Both fall within residency requirements when filing
- Both agree on child support and custody, alimony/spousal support, and property and debt distribution
There are many reasons why a couple may choose an uncontested divorce over a contested divorce, even aside from the obvious requirement that they generally agree on most details of the divorce. For many couples, it is more affordable, less emotionally draining, and less harmful to their children to avoid litigation. It also can be completed much quicker than a litigated divorce, reducing the overall cost and damage done to the family and allowing for a more peaceful future for both households.
The Need For A Skilled And Experienced Divorce Attorney
Even when spouses are working together towards ending their marriage, legal help is still necessary, particularly when it comes to the complex legal aspects required to finalize a divorce. My job as a divorce lawyer is to ensure that the agreement in principle is comprehensive and a document that the courts will approve. I will make sure that all details of your divorce and post-divorce life are covered so that you can be confident in your future.
Your Escondido Divorce Case: Expecting The Unexpected
After years of marital challenges, you have finally decided to divorce your spouse. You may know friends and family members who have endured marital dissolution, but it is still overwhelming to take these life-altering steps. That’s where I come in to help. At my law firm, Dahann Bowers Law, I take the time to map out strategies and guide you through this challenging process.
The Steps To A California Divorce
There are four essential steps that take place in every divorce case filed in California. While this keeps the overall process simple, the details and circumstances of your case may extend the length or complexity of the individual steps.
Step 1: The Initial Divorce Filing
The very first step is for you or your spouse to file your divorce papers with the appropriate court. This initiates the proceedings, provides legal notice to your spouse of your intention to divorce, and allows them the opportunity to respond.
Step 2: Sharing Financial Information
The second step is the sharing of financial information. The one who filed for the divorce will send a copy of their complete financial information to their spouse, including all of their assets that will fall under the divorce process. The other spouse will then share a copy of their financial information with the one that filed. This information must be current and up to date, as it will be used to determine important questions such as how much spousal support may be owed, how much child support obligations should be for each spouse, and which assets are part of the marital estate.
Step 3: Property And Custody Division
This is the step that most often takes the longest and is the most bitterly contested. This is where you, your spouse, and the court will negotiate or litigate the division of assets and custody rights. This can be done through a mediated process where there is little disagreement as to how things should be divided, but oftentimes, it can require the intervention of the court to resolve certain issues, such as custody of your children or important assets.
Step 4: Final Judgement
The last step of the divorce is the final judgment. This is where the entire process is completed and a divorce decree is issued, dissolving your marriage. All negotiated or litigated terms will enter into force, and you and your former spouse may go your separate ways. Altogether, this process can take at least six months and perhaps more than a year, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Legal Help Is Available
Regardless of dynamics that are calm or confrontational, divorce representation is important. I know firsthand that marital law is complex. Even the most cooperative divorces still need an experienced Escondido divorce attorney to ensure that all aspects are covered to secure the outcome both sides want.
While I strive for a finalized divorce that brings you closure, you still have to account for how the life-changing event will impact your financial future. Lifestyle changes may require cutting back on certain luxuries you once enjoyed.
You Have Questions About Divorce. I Have Answers.
Uncertain times can bring out the worst in people, particularly when it involves the end of a marriage. At my firm, Dahann Bowers Law, I represent Escondido residents facing life-changing events that come with divorce. Here, I wanted to provide you with an opportunity to get answers to common questions that I have heard while working as an experienced Escondido divorce attorney.
Who gets to stay in the home while the divorce is ongoing?
Officially, the property owner or owners named on the real estate title are allowed to remain in the family dwelling. However, when minor children are in the home, the answer becomes more complex. Temporary orders by family court judges can mandate that the children stay in the dwelling with the parent considered most fit to provide them care. Spouses should know that the rule is not a final decision, particularly when it comes to custody agreements.
How is child custody decided in a divorce?
The best interests of the children are top of mind in any child custody proceeding. This is a legal doctrine that informs the court’s decision, requiring them to ensure that they put the child’s best interest before the specific interest of the parents. However, that does not stop disputes between parents over quality time with their kids. Agreements reached with the help of mediators are ideal. However, if parents cannot find common ground, the courts will have decision-making power and a judge will determine custody.
How long does it take to get a divorce in California?
Divorce in California mandates a six-month “cool-off” waiting period for the final dissolution of marriage. Couples are also required to adhere to California criteria to finalize a divorce, specifically completing all paperwork. The waiting period is the minimum duration and applies to uncontested divorces. Once the divorce process begins, your case can take anywhere from a few months or perhaps more than a year, it all depends on the facts and circumstances of your situation.
Will I get to keep my house after the divorce?
For those with children, an agreement may be reached to have one spouse remain in the home to provide a sense of continuity and security. Other dissolutions involving co-ownership usually result in an agreement to sell the house, buy out an ex-spouse, exchange the dwelling for an equally valuable asset, or continue with the status quo.
Will I have to pay for my spouse’s expenses while going through a divorce?
Spouses named on bills are often responsible for payments, including the mortgage. Household expenses can be split between the two, but it may not be an equal division depending on each person’s income level. However, the spouse who pays for all expenses, including the mortgage, while living in another dwelling could suffer financial consequences.
My spouse cheated on me. How does that impact the divorce?
Affairs usually do not have a significant impact on the divorce process. Instead, marital dissolution proceedings involve spousal support, asset division, child custody and other, more relevant factors. Exceptions exist, particularly when a recently discovered affair does any form of harm to children or when money was set aside for the infidelity.
Learn More About How I Can Help
No one should ever go through a divorce on their own. Whether you are facing a simple divorce, or a more complex divorce with many assets and debts at stake, an experienced divorce attorney can help you make the right choices for your future. Contact the firm today to schedule your initial consultation. Call 951-900-4647 or email me here to set up your first appointment with me and take the first step in resolving your divorce.