Waiting Periods and Residency Requirements for Irvine Divorces
Before you begin your divorce in Irvine, you should first gain an understanding of the mandatory waiting period and residency requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, it may be difficult to proceed with your divorce. While these restrictions may seem frustrating for many spouses, you can make the most of your waiting period by working with experienced divorce lawyers in Irvine.
To get started with an Irvine divorce attorney, consider a consultation with RM Law Group, LLP. Co-founder Jason Martinez understands that many spouses want to finalize their divorces cost-effectively and on time. He has experience with high-conflict divorces and can explain complex concepts easily. Michael Recinos, the other co-founder of this divorce law firm, has experience with high-net-worth marital estates, traumatic situations, and child custody.
The Six-Month Waiting Period Explained
In California, couples must wait six months before moving forward with their divorces. Once you file for divorce, this mandatory “cooling-off” period applies. This might seem frustrating, especially for spouses who want to move on with their lives as quickly as possible. However, there is no real way around it – and you simply have to be patient.
Why does California force spouses to go through this? The main rationale is to give spouses a chance to reconsider their decisions. Divorce is a major step, and it may affect family dynamics for years to come. California courts are particularly concerned about the impact of divorce on children. In their eyes, it makes sense to give parents a chance to reconcile and call off their divorces. Some might argue that stable marriages and nuclear families lead to more stable societies.
You do not necessarily need to wait around and do nothing during these six months. Instead, you could begin meeting with divorce lawyers. You might also meet with your ex and begin negotiating the terms of your divorce in private. These alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods could lead to uncontested divorces which do not require trial litigation.
If you have resolved all of your disputes with your ex by the time the six-month waiting period expires, you can present your divorce agreement to a family judge. Many spouses finalize their divorces almost immediately after the six months expire.
The Six-Month Residency Requirement
Finally, California requires you to live in the Golden State for at least six months before filing for divorce. If you have not yet lived in California for six months, you may need to wait until you meet these requirements before moving forward. Alternatively, you could relocate to a different state with fewer requirements – but this is too costly and time-consuming for most spouses.
Can a Divorce Law Firm in Irvine Help Me?
A divorce lawyer in Irvine may be able to help you end your marriage in a relatively short period of time. That being said, you may not want to rush this process – as even a small error can have consequences for many years to come. Six months is more than enough time to get started on an action plan with RM Law Group, LLP. Dial 866-706-3160 to speak with our experienced divorce attorneys in Irvine today.
Jason Martinez is a co-founding partner of RM Law Group, LLP. His practice focuses exclusively on California Family Law and community property division, including litigation and settlement of complex and high-conflict divorce and child custody proceedings. Jason understands that divorce and family law issues have long-term effects on all family members, especially the children.
