Divorce Attorneys in Encino

Encino Divorce Lawyer - Providing Compassionate and Skilled Legal Guidance

Marriage does not always end in happily ever after for all couples. For some, divorce is necessary, despite their best efforts to make it work. At Zahn Law Offices, APC, our Encino divorce attorneys have over 30 years of collective experience guiding clients through the divorce process and helping them protect their interests. You should not have to endure this on your own, and working with an Encino divorce attorney can give you clarity and direction during a difficult time.

When we first meet with you, we take the time to understand how long you have been considering divorce, what you have already tried to repair the relationship, and what your priorities are moving forward. Some clients come to our Encino office focused on protecting their relationship with their children, while others are most concerned about maintaining financial stability or keeping a family home. By listening closely and asking detailed questions, we help you understand how California law applies to your situation and what options are realistically available, whether you expect a relatively amicable divorce or you anticipate difficult litigation with a spouse.

Contact Zahn Law Offices, APC today at (805) 804-9100 to schedule a confidential consultation with our Encino divorce lawyer and to learn more about what we can do to assist you.

Key Issues in a Divorce

Whether you are going through a contested or uncontested divorce, there are certain key family law issues that will ultimately need to be addressed. These issues can be trimmed down to four main categories:

• Child custody and visitation
• Division of property and assets
• Spousal support
• Child support

If you and your spouse are able to agree on all of these issues, you will have the advantage of going through an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce takes far less time since you will not have to go through litigation or be at the mercy of the court’s schedule. However, you will still need an Encino divorce attorney on your side to ensure your settlement agreement serves your best interests and that no costly errors are made.

When we represent someone in an uncontested case, we carefully review proposed agreements to be sure they are enforceable and complete, and that they reflect what was actually discussed. For example, we may suggest adding detailed provisions about holiday parenting schedules, how future medical or educational expenses will be handled, or what will happen if a home is sold in the future. Taking the time to address these issues on the front end can prevent disputes later and allows you to confidently submit your paperwork to the Los Angeles County Superior Court without repeated corrections or delays.

If you and your spouse cannot agree on one or more of these key issues, however, you will have a contested divorce. If you, your spouse, and your respective attorneys are able to hash out an agreement, you might still be able to avoid going through litigation. In the event that your divorce goes to court, you will need to have an Encino divorce lawyer who can effectively represent you throughout the litigation process and help you prepare for each appearance.

Contested divorces in Encino often involve formal discovery, settlement conferences, and appearances at the Van Nuys courthouse or another Los Angeles County location. We help clients prepare for each step by explaining what documents they must gather, how to respond to requests from the other side, and what to expect in a hearing. By setting clear expectations and preparing you thoroughly, we aim to reduce the stress that comes with testifying in court and to make sure your position on property, support, and parenting arrangements is presented clearly and persuasively to the judge.

What You Need to Know About Divorce in California

Every state provides the option of obtaining a no-fault divorce, including California, which means neither spouse has to point any fingers. You can simply file on the grounds of irreconcilable differences without having to elaborate any further on why the marriage must end. 

Many people in Encino are also concerned about how long a case may take once they decide to move forward. California has a mandatory waiting period of six months from the date the respondent is served before a divorce can be finalized, even if you and your spouse agree on all issues. During that time, we help clients work through financial disclosures, negotiate parenting plans, and prepare all required forms so that, when the waiting period has passed, their judgment can be entered without unnecessary additional delay.

When it comes to property division, California is one of the few community property states. Therefore, all assets that were acquired throughout the course of a couple’s marriage, such as income, investments, or property, are generally divided equally. 

Community property rules can feel especially complicated for couples living in the Encino area, where one or both spouses may own businesses, stock options, or multiple pieces of real estate. We help clients distinguish between separate and community property, understand how retirement accounts are divided, and consider whether it makes sense for one spouse to buy out the other’s interest in a home or other significant asset. By walking through different potential settlement structures, we help you evaluate the long-term impact of each option on your financial security after divorce.

Our Divorce Process for Clients in Encino

Understanding what will happen after you contact an Encino divorce lawyer can make the decision to move forward feel less overwhelming. We follow a structured yet flexible process that allows us to tailor our approach to your circumstances while keeping your case moving. From the first call through the final judgment, you know what stage you are in and what we are working on together.

We generally begin with an initial consultation in which we review your background, your family structure, and your primary goals. After that meeting, we outline a plan that may include filing the petition, serving the other party, exchanging financial information, and beginning settlement discussions. Throughout this process we remain in close communication, explaining each step in plain language so that you understand how decisions made today can affect your finances and your children’s schedules months or years from now.

As your case progresses, we prepare thoroughly for any settlement meetings, mediation sessions, or court appearances in Los Angeles County. We help you gather documents such as pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and information about retirement accounts so that you are ready to address questions about income and property. If your case requires hearings at the Van Nuys courthouse, we discuss courtroom procedures in advance and work with you to organize your testimony so you can present your position clearly and confidently.

How We Approach Custody and Support Issues

Concerns about children and financial support are often at the center of a divorce, especially for families in Encino balancing work, school, and extracurricular schedules. We approach these issues with sensitivity and practicality, recognizing that parenting plans and support orders must be workable in everyday life, not just on paper. Our goal is to help you reach arrangements that support your children’s stability while also being realistic for both parents.

When developing custody and parenting time proposals, we look closely at your children’s ages, school commitments, and any special needs that may affect the schedule. We talk through different options for weeknight visits, weekend rotations, and holidays, and we consider how travel time on local freeways or between neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley may impact transitions. By building a plan around the details of your family’s routine, we aim to reduce conflict and minimize last-minute disagreements after the divorce is finalized.

Support questions can be equally stressful, particularly in an area like Encino where housing and living costs can be significant. We walk you through how California’s child support guidelines work and discuss the factors a court may consider when setting or modifying spousal support. By reviewing draft support calculations together and examining your budget, we help you evaluate proposed numbers and understand how different arrangements could affect your ability to meet day-to-day expenses and long-term financial goals after the divorce.