Compassionate Divorce Attorneys Serving San Ramon, California
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we’re here to help you navigate the difficulties of a failed marriage and your concerns about the future. Whether you need to protect your children, secure a fair financial settlement, or smoothly go through the divorce process, our San Ramon divorce attorney are here to help.
We have extensive experience in all aspects of divorce and can represent you confidently in:
- Legal separation
- Visitation and parenting time
- Child custody and support
- Division of marital property, debts, and assets
- Spousal support
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we’ll assist you in making practical, informed decisions to achieve your most essential divorce goals. Let us advocate for your best interests and protect your valuable assets.
Why Clients Choose Us for Divorce Representation in San Ramon
Our lead attorney, Debra R. Schoenberg, is a Certified Family Law Specialist. She has undergone additional education and training and successfully passed a written examination focusing on family law, earning certification from the State Board of Legal Specialists as a specialist in this field.
We focus solely on family law. With extensive experience in this field, our divorce attorneys are skilled at handling complex and sensitive issues during a San Ramon divorce, which can profoundly impact you and your family.
As trial lawyers, we’re prepared for any challenge. Our team has substantial experience litigating high-conflict, high-asset, and high-stakes divorce cases across California. We’ll work hard to achieve your goals while aiming to reduce the stress involved.
Reasons for Divorce in San Ramon, California
In California, you don’t need to prove that your spouse is at fault to get a divorce. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you can file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences or an irreparable marriage breakdown. Neither party is considered responsible, and either spouse can end the marriage, even if the other wants to reconcile.
There are residency requirements for divorce in California. One spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months and in the county for three months before filing for divorce. Additionally, after filing and serving the divorce petition to the other spouse, there’s a mandatory six-month waiting period before the court can finalize the divorce.
Legal Separation in San Ramon
Legal separation and divorce are similar in many ways, but each has its pros and cons. Both involve dividing property, debts, and assets and setting up child custody and visitation arrangements. However, a key difference is that legal separation prevents you from remarrying, as you are still legally married but living separate lives.
One benefit of legal separation is that it doesn’t have residency requirements. No matter how long you’ve lived in California, you can file for legal separation. Another advantage is keeping certain benefits, like employee or insurance benefits. Personal reasons, such as religious beliefs against divorce or the hope of reconciliation, might also make legal separation a better option for you.
Serving Divorce Papers to a Spouse with an Unknown Address in California
When starting divorce proceedings in California, the first step is to serve the divorce papers directly to your spouse. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t find them, you can ask the court for permission to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper. A notable case from another state raised an interesting issue a few years ago. A woman’s husband had been elusive since their marriage in 2009, only keeping in touch by phone and Facebook. She needed to serve him divorce papers in person, but she needed help locating him despite hiring a private investigator and making other efforts. The court came up with a solution. Since she had tried everything to find her husband, the judge allowed her to send the divorce summons through a private message on Facebook.
How courts in our state interpret “publication” could affect whether posting a message and photo of the court summons on Facebook is considered valid notification, especially if the spouse is likely to see it. It’s uncertain if judges here would agree, but this case raises an interesting legal question and shows an innovative way to use technology in handling family law matters like divorce.
San Ramon Annulments
Although it’s rare, some couples qualify for and choose an annulment, which effectively cancels the marriage as if it never happened. A spouse might seek an annulment for reasons such as:
- Incest
- Bigamy
- Lack of informed consent to the marriage
- Unsound mind
- Fraud
- Force, unless the forced party later chose to live with the other as a spouse
- Physical incapacity of either party at the time of marriage, if it’s incurable
If you’re considering an annulment and want to learn more, one of our attorneys can discuss your situation in detail.
Schedule A Confidential Case Review with our San Ramon Divorce Attorneys Today
When facing divorce or any family law issue, it’s crucial to have a trustworthy attorney who can cover all aspects of your case and consider all available options. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our team will support and guide you through every step of your divorce process. We’ll work hard to build a strong case that aligns with your goals and priorities.
Schedule a confidential consultation by contacting one of our attorneys today. We’ll address your most pressing legal concerns and develop a plan for your future.
