The steps in your divorce are a relative few, but they can be highly complex and involved as well as emotionally charged. Making yourself aware of the process will make it easier for all involved.

Preparing to file for a divorce in a thorough manner will help decrease or even eliminate problems that may arise in the long term. You should familiarize yourself with the basics of divorce or separation so that you know whether you want to file for divorce, legal separation, or annulment. Online sources or consulting a family lawyer will help you determine if you want to file for divorce, or if the other options are best for you.

Don’t forget that after you start your case and file for divorce or separation papers this is just the beginning. You will have a series of procedures, steps and conferences to complete before your divorce is granted.

During the pre trial or pre-settlement phase of your case, both sides engage in what is referred to as “discovery.” Discovery is the required disclosure of documents or information by parties in a legal matter. The forms of discovery to use in a case depends on factors unique to each case. Decisions regarding the forms of discovery should be made in close consultation between you and your divorce lawyer.

Depositions offer the opportunity to ask questions to a witness or other party under oath. Depositions take place in an attorney’s office. They give you the opportunity to have the other party or witness placed under oath and questioned. They can be very useful toward the ultimate resolution of a case, either by settlement or through trial. Only the attorneys in the case, the witness, and a court reporter are required to be present. The parties, however, may also be present, if he or she so elects. The witness is asked questions under oath and the questions and answers are later transcribed.

Although a case may be settled earlier, settlement is often reached at a mandatory settlement conference. A mandatory settlement conference is usually held several weeks prior to your trial date. This date is set by the court for the parties and counsel to discuss settlement at the courthouse. If your case is not settled at this point, it will go to trial.

The steps in a divorce or legal separation court process can get very complicated, especially if you want to include support orders, child custody orders, and orders dividing your property. Seeking out an experienced family law attorney will insure that you get the best possible assistance.

If you have a question regarding Family Law in Los Angeles please contact us at (818) 926-4420 or visit the Family Law section on our website at Law Offices of Anat Resnik. Call today and we will connect you with Anat Resnik, an experienced, aggressive, affordable Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Encino. After you have spoken with our Los Angeles Family Law attorney, we can schedule you a free face to face appointment to discuss your circumstances. If you have questions or are considering any aspect of filing for Divorce, a Paternity issues, Child Custody and Visitation, Spousal Support & Alimony, etc. we can help! Call us now at(818) 926-4420. We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you with any and all family law needs.