Ventura Divorce Attorney

Uncontested Divorce

Uncontested divorces, like the name suggests, are when both spouses can agree on all important issues including child custody, child support, alimony, and division of property.

• Additionally, each state has unique requirements a couple must meet in order to be eligible to file or an uncontested divorce. In California these requirements include:

1. At least one spouse must have lived in the state of California for the last six months prior to filing and have lived in the same county of filing for the last three months prior
2. Both spouses must sign all paperwork
3. The couple must agree on all major issues of the divorce

Contested Divorce

A contested divorce is a divorce where the spouses don’t agree on important issues. Contested divorces can take much longer to settle than uncontested divorces and they typically are settled through mediation or in court. If you have questions about how this information may affect your divorce proceedings, contact the Zahn Law Office today to talk to an attorney.

Dividing Property in CA Divorce

California is also a community property state, meaning that all assets acquired during the marriage, including property, income, and personal funds, are considered community property equally owned by both spouses. Upon termination of the marriage, the court will attempt to divide these assets equally.

Where Do I File for Divorce in Ventura County?

In Ventura County, you will file for divorce at the Superior Court of California in Ventura County.

VENTURA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

800 South Victoria Avenue 
Ventura, California 93009 
Click Here for Directions

(805) 289-8610

How to Serve Divorce Papers in California

Serving divorce papers is especially tricky when you cannot find or cannot locate your spouse. This is a common issue that arises when parties who are long separated (often without children), when one spouse finds they may no longer know where the other side lives. The standard rule is that in order for a lawsuit to proceed, the Respondent must receive actual notice of the pendency of the action which has been filed against them.

Generally, you can follow these steps to serve your spouse with divorce papers:

1. Serve the Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 

• The spouse must be personally served with a copy of the Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (and supporting documents). When one side doesn't know whether the other lives, however, this can present a significant problem in that if the Petitioner doesn't know where the Respondent lives, how can they give them a copy of the documents, effectuating "good" service? Luckily, alternatives do exist.

1. Service by Publication. 

• The court does provide for Service by Publication, whereby a copy of the Summons and Petition is published in a local newspaper once per week for four consecutive weeks, but in order to do this, permission from the court is required.

1. Show that you made a reasonable effort to serve your spouse.

• Before the court will give permission to serve by publication, you must show that all reasonable efforts have been made to locate the Respondent, including but not limited to, a records search of the local area (or area where they last lived) and a skip-trace (which is done by a private investigator or other type of business which provides locate services). Proof of your attempts will be required.

The process can be a little complicated, so the services of an attorney experienced in doing this type of work can help resolve a long dormant divorce and allow for the case to be resolved.

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer to Get Divorced in Ventura County?

Even in amicable cases, divorce proceedings require seasoned legal counsel. With over 30 years of combined experience and hundreds of cases handled, our team is thoroughly experienced and prepared to protect you and your rights.

The manner in which the process unfolds can impact your life for years to come, such as in regards to:

• Custody of children
• Amount of child and/or spousal support
• Property division
• Visitation rights

Contact Our Ventura Divorce Attorney Today

At Zahn Law Offices, APC, we understand that divorce proceedings can cause a wide range of emotions. Whether this divorce brings you relief or heartache, we will handle your case with extreme sensitivity and personal care. The moment you entrust us with your case, your problems become our problems. Together, we will work towards securing the future that is best for you.

Don't go through your divorce alone. Reach out to a skilled Ventura divorce attorney that puts your well-being first. Call (805) 804-9100 or contact us online.

Additional Resources:

• The Duty to Disclose Assets and Liabilities