Divorce can be a challenging time for any couple in California. Even in situations where both parties agree that a divorce is necessary, the process itself is often stressful. Knowing about the four main legal issues surrounding divorce can be essential to preparing for any pitfalls that may occur.
Dividing assets
Many of the most stressful legal battles in divorce are connected to assets. Two key issues are property divisions and spousal support. Divisions occur when both parties try to split their property equitably during the divorce process. There can be years of litigation about who brought in what at the beginning of the marriage and how that property should be treated. These challenges multiply if there are several states involved.
Spousal support
Spousal support is when one party pays another alimony to help them maintain a semblance of their lifestyle after the divorce. This payment can fluctuate based on the means of both individuals and can be temporary or permanent. It can also be dependent on the status of both individuals going into the marriage. One party who has a graduate degree and years of experience in a particular field may not be able to receive as much alimony as one without such opportunities.
Custody
The other broad category of divorce issues that couples have is custody. Parents have legal fights where they determine who should have custody and for what length of time. There may be arrangements for visitation while one parent has permanent custody of the children. There are potentially dozens of opportunities for legal disputes and arguments before the child reaches the age of majority.
Child support
Another common legal issue surrounding children is child support. Child support is often paid to the party that spends the most money taking care of children. It is determined by state laws and can be a point of legal negotiation between both parties. While child support is often particularly contentious, all four of these legal issues must be prepared for and understood by both parties.