Serving the community of La Habra, Orange County, California

Orange County's La Habra affordable Family Law Divorce Attorney helping families in Orange County with their legal matters.

Attorney Divorce Lawyer, Bettina Yanez, now serving the city of La Habra, California. Law Firm experienced in resolving family law (divorce) and immigration issues. Bettina is Bilingual in Spanish and English. She was admitted to the practice of law in California, her office is located in Anaheim, serving Orange County and Los Angeles County offering Bilingual legal services. She is a member of the American Bar Association, The California Young Lawyers Association, The Los Angeles County Bar Association, The Orange County Barristers and the Orange County Bar Association.

Divorce - dissolution of marriage in California

In California, today we have “no fault dissolution/divorce”. All that the Parities need to show is that “irreconcilable differences” have arisen that caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.

Another basis on which a marriage may be terminated is on the grounds of incurable insanity.

Legal terms and divorce process

• The party (spouse) that files the petition (A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority) for dissolution (Annulment or termination of a formal or legal bond, tie, or contract) is called the Petitioner.
• The filed Petition is served on the other spouse, either personally or by a notice of acknowledgment of receipt.
• The other spouse has thirty days to file a response and is known as the Respondent.
• Sometimes it is necessary to request temporary orders. This is done by filing an O.S.C. “Order to Show Cause”. At this hearing, the Judge can make temporary orders as to custody, visitation, and support, sale of the family home or issue a restraining order if necessary.
• Next is the discovery stage. Here the parties exchange income and expense information, a schedule of assets and debts, along with other pertinent information as to the assets or debts of the marriage.
• Once the discovery process is complete, the parties will meet with their respective attorneys to see if an amicable agreement can be reached between the parties. If an agreement is reached, one of the attorneys will type up the agreement, which will be signed by the parties, approved by their respective attorney, and then submitted to the court.
• If an agreement is not reached, it may be necessary for the parties to go to trial and have a Judge make a decision on the issue(s).
• An amicable agreement or orders issued after trial are then entered as the final divorce judgment.

Alternatives to Divorce

• Legal Separation - permits you and your spouse to live apart, divide your assets and debts, and establish custody while still allowing you to remain married.
• Collaborative Divorce - a form of alternative dispute resolution for divorcing couples who need legal representation, but would like to avoid litigation.

Other Family Law (Divorce) Issues that are usually part of Divorce - dissolution of marriage

• Friendly and contested divorce
• Spousal Support
• Annulment
• Legal separation
• Property settlement/division
• Premarital agreements
• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement of Orders

Children's issues that arise from a Divorce - dissolution of marriage

• Child custody
• Visitation Rights
• Parenting time
• Custody and residential responsibility
• Paternity
• Grandparent's rights
• Dependency and neglect
• Adoptions
• Modifications
• Child Support

The Following communities, cities and counties are serviced by our law firm

Orange County, California

Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Capistrano Beach, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, El Modena, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Leisure World, Lemon Heights, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Orange Park Acres, Placentia, Rancho San Margarita, San Clemente, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Sunset Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda