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Los Angeles Divorce Attorney
Going through a divorce can be one of the most stressful times in your life. The choice to seek marital dissolution can be a difficult decision, especially when children are involved. The Los Angeles divorce lawyer at Boyd Law hope to make it easier for you and your children.
We represent clients in both contested and uncontested divorce. At Boyd Law, our Los Angeles family law lawyers listen to you and answer all of your questions.
Our firm will then evaluate your situation and advise you of all your options under the law. Ultimately, the goal of our team is to help make the decisions that protect your legal rights, and that are in the best interests of your family and your children. We know there is more going on in your life than just your divorce.
Ending a marriage is never something we take lightly. We strive to get to know you as a person, as an individual, so we can custom tailor an experience you can look back on without regret.
After going through the event of a divorce, change is inevitable, but the stress and anxiety you feel about those changes does not have to be. Our skilled legal team works hard everyday to help people going through the difficult legal issues of divorce cope with stress, uncertainty, fear, and the financial issues that come with the territory. If you need help getting through a divorce, let Boyd Law do the work for you so you can focus on your healing during this difficult time. Call us at (310)-777-0231 or contact us today.
Why Choose Us?
At Boyd Law, our team has decades of combined experience and broad knowledge exclusively handling family law matters to meet our clients needs. Our firm takes on everything ranging from divorce to child custody.
We also work as a team to take on the complex issues that surround a divorce. There’s no issue that’s too large or small for us. No matter what challenges or issues you face during your divorce, we are determined to achieve a satisfactory result for you and your best interests.
As one of Southern California’s most successful family law firms, we have earned the trust of our peers in the legal profession who often refer their clients to us. We also form long-term relationships with our clients, who trust us to handle all of the legal issues they encounter in their lives.
Based on our years of experience and success, trust our firm to achieve a satisfactory result from your divorce and let us handle the legal aspects of your divorce while you focus on your healing during this difficult time.
Meet Attorney & CEO Karie Boyd
Karie Boyd, founder & CEO of Boyd Law is here to help you lead the charge in your divorce case. Additionally, Karie Boyd is a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), giving her an extra edge in family law cases.
Additionally, Karie has been the recipient of multiple awards, including:
- 2021 Super Lawyers List
- Top 1% of Attorneys In the Nation by the National Association of Distinguished Council
- Women Making A Difference Nominee
- Women In Business Awards Nominee – OC Business Journal (2013-present)
So if you’re looking for the right attorney to handle your case, choose Karie Boyd.
Testimonials
Here’s what our clients have to say about us.
“Hands down the best law firm out there. They stuck through a very difficult divorce and child custody case with me. I had battled for years. I would recommend anyone of the attorney’s in this firm. They look out for your best interests and have your back the entire time. Thank you again Boyd Law for absolutely everything.”
– Krystal (On Behalf Of Derek), Orange County Family Law Client
“Simply phenomenal from start to finish. We could not have had a more kind and considerate lawyer in Natalie. The whole legal team have been responsive, professional and empathic throughout our court needs.”
– Amanda, Los Angeles Family Law Client
“I hired a company for professional services that was in breach of contract. Boyd law was able to write a demand letter to obtain a refund, and get me out of the contract. Within one week, we had a resolution. Boyd law staff are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and prompt. My fiancé also worked with them in the past on an Estate & Probate case which is what prompted me to work with them on my matter. Highly recommended if you want results!”
– Stephanie, Los Angeles Client
Table of Contents
Divorced Men & Women Age Groups
The Difference Between Divorce & Marriage Dissolution
Difference Between Divorce & Legal Separation
The Legal Process for Domestic Partnerships
What Are California’s Divorce Laws?
Most often, you must file for divorce in the county in which you reside; however, you must abide by California residency rules. Rules indicate that you must have lived in California for the last six months and the county in which you file for the last three months.
If you and your spouse have separated and now live in different counties, you can file divorce papers in either of the two counties. If you don’t meet the residency rules for a divorce, you can still file for a legal separation.
California is a community property state, which means that the goal of a divorce settlement is to divide marital property in half. Under California’s community property laws, assets and debts spouses acquire during marriage belong equally to both of them, and they must divide them equally in divorce. There are three crucial steps to property division:
- Determine whether the property (or debt) is marital or separate
- Agree on a value for marital property, and
- Decide how to divide the property.
Many times, couples will disagree on how things such as child custody or property should be divided. A divorce case is not always a straightforward resolution.
The results of the divorce process can affect you for years to come. Of course, you may be able to seek divorce modifications down the road, but it does not apply to everything within family law cases and it is not always easy.
An experienced Los Angeles divorce lawyer at Boyd Law can give you expert legal advice, personal attention, and help you find a resolution to a number of family law related areas such as:
- Contested divorce
- Uncontested divorce
- High net worth divorce
- Legal separation
- Child custody
- Property division
- Debt division
- Spousal support
- Child support
- Child visitation
- Maintenance
- Modifications
- Post decree matters
- Parentage
No matter the nature of your particular divorce or situation, speak to an attorney from Boyd Law for answers. A lawyer can help you with all the aspects of your divorce, whether they are simple or complex. Your attorney can navigate California’s many divorce laws and statutes while you concentrate on moving forward.
Divorced Men and Women Age Groups
The two pie charts provided below break down some interesting divorce data and statistics. These pie charts provide a visualization of different age groups of both men and women and the corresponding divorce rate percentage for each specific age group.
It is not surprising that these pie charts illustrate that divorced men and women were middle-older aged, with the highest divorce rate percentages being among those men and women 35 to 44 years old (29 percent of men and 30 percent of women).
*This first pie chart provides a visualization of divorced men in the U.S. categorized by age groups, highlighting the age groups of men in the U.S. with the highest and lowest divorce rates.
*This second pie chart illustrates the women’s age groups in the U.S. that have the highest and lowest probability of getting divorced at least once.
The data in these charts is provided and released by the United States Census Bureau.
What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Marriage Dissolution?
Divorce and marriage dissolution are two ways to end your marriage. While they are often used interchangeably, they technically have different meanings from a legal standpoint.
The primary difference lies in whether the spouses are implementing fault laws in the split. A divorce technically means one spouse is alleging the fault of the other for the split, while marriage dissolution is a mutual decision to end the marriage. Another way to think of marriage dissolution is a no-fault divorce.
In California, no-fault divorce laws mean technically every couple in the state achieves marriage dissolution rather than divorce. A spouse does not to file for divorce on fault-based grounds in California.
Its no-fault laws mean the courts will not punish one spouse for wrongdoing, even if that spouse committed adultery or ended the marriage some other way. Instead, all couples may seek no-fault divorces or marriage dissolutions.
Marriage dissolution is generally a simpler way to end a marriage. The party filing for divorce does not have to prove the other spouse’s fault to achieve marriage dissolution.
The filing person simply must cite irreconcilable differences while filling out the divorce forms, or that the couple no longer gets along. The no-fault divorce process is shorter and does not force one spouse to prove fault. A no-fault divorce could still have complications, however, such as one spouse contesting the terms of the split.
What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Legal Separation?
If you do not think divorce is right for you, consider a legal separation instead. Legal separation in California comes with some of the same benefits as divorce without you forfeiting all the benefits of marriage.
It can be an ideal in-between for couples that may reconcile their marriages or that need to retain benefits such as family insurance plans. After a legal separation, you and your spouse will still lawfully be married to each other, but you will not live together and may qualify for things such as child support and spousal maintenance.
Separation could be the perfect solution for you and your spouse. It could also make the divorce process easier in the future. You must make legal separation official, however, by filing the correct paperwork in Los Angeles County.
You and your spouse must both consent to the legal separation. One spouse (it does not matter which) will file a petition for legal separation, which the other spouse will sign. If your spouse refuses to cooperate, you must either remain in the marriage or proceed with a divorce.
Does the Legal Process Work Differently With Domestic Partnerships?
In California, a domestic partnership does not have the same legalities as marriage. People in a domestic partnership are not technically married by law, to each other or anyone else.
The state of California gives domestic partners all the same rights and protections as married couples, however, such as coverage on a family health insurance plan, the legal right to family/bereavement leave, and visitation rights at hospitals and jails. Federal law does not recognize domestic partnerships.
Entering into a domestic partnership can be an important step for a couple both legally and personally. Another potential benefit is if your domestic partnership does not work out, the process for terminating the arrangement can be simpler than a divorce in California.
You may qualify for summary dissolution, a fast termination of the domestic partnership that does not require a trial. To qualify, you must meet a list of eligibility requirements.
- Mutual desire to terminate the domestic partnership
- No owned property
- No rented properties except where you live
- No more than $6,000 in debts (other than car loans) acquired during the partnership
- No more than $43,000 in acquired or separate properties (other than cars)
- A domestic partnership registered less than five years ago
- No children together, born or adopted
- No partner support desired by either spouse
If you and your domestic partner qualify under these stipulations, you could proceed with a summary dissolution instead of having to go down the traditional divorce route.
You must also have both signed an agreement that either divides your property or states that you have no property to divide.
Qualifying couples can simply file the Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership, have it reviewed by a lawyer and submit it to the California Secretary of State. If approved, your domestic partnership will be lawfully terminated after six months.
If you do not qualify for summary dissolution, you will have to get a regular divorce to end the domestic partnership. This involves preparing paperwork, filing for divorce, determining how to divide your property and possibly going before a judge.
You can avoid a court trial and judge by working with your ex-partner on the terms of the split. Otherwise, your case will have to proceed to court for a judge to decide matters such as property division, child custody and support. A lawyer could help you with all the factors involved in your particular divorce case.
Do You Need A Divorce Lawyer?
A divorce can have complex factors such as high-value assets, contested terms, child custody and spousal maintenance, and you may not know how to navigate these issues on your own. The best way to navigate these factors is by hiring a divorce attorney.
Your lawyer can negotiate your divorce settlement with your spouse and his or her attorneys while you focus on the future. Rather than spending your time filling out paperwork or at the courthouse, you can go to work or spend time with your family. You can trust a lawyer to work toward a satisfactory and efficient resolution on your behalf.
While a lawyer can help with any divorce case, you may not need one if you have a simple and uncontested divorce case. If you and your spouse can easily work together and agree on the mainstay matters of your case, you could create a contract yourselves that a judge will sign off on.
If you believe your spouse will make it difficult to achieve a fair divorce, such as by arguing with you about your desired terms, you may need a lawyer’s assistance. If your spouse has hired a lawyer, it is a good sign that you need one too.
When in doubt, hire an attorney in Los Angeles to help with your divorce case. A lawyer can teach you critical things such as what type of case you need (divorce vs. dissolution vs. legal separation, etc.), how to protect your rights and assets, whether you qualify for child support or alimony, and how to start your case.
Then, your lawyer can take care of difficult or complicated legal matters for you while you focus your attention elsewhere, and a lawyer can get your divorce done as quick and as easy as possible.
Contact A Los Angeles Divorce Attorney From Boyd Law Today
At Boyd Law our Los Angeles divorce lawyers have extensive experience in family law and California divorce cases. All of our resources are focused on assisting families in this complicated area of law.
If you are going through a divorce contact our family law specialists today for a free initial consultation. We represent clients throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding cities.
We employ common sense and attempt to cost-effectively resolve disputes. When the need arises, however, our Los Angeles divorce attorneys are prepared to litigate and take matters to trial. We know that strong litigators keep their clients out of family law court, but if trial is necessary, we are experienced litigators who feel that the court is our playground. Don’t wait, contact our Los Angeles divorce attorney today at (310) 777-0231.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Los Angeles?
It depends. At Boyd Law, every case we take on is different. We look at the facts and circumstances of your situation and go from there. For divorces that are highly contested, we charge a retainer fee, and for simpler requests, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement, we charge on an hourly basis. During your initial consultation, our attorneys will give you a estimate of the total costs. To give you an idea, most divorce attorneys in Los Angeles charge between $300 to $400 an hour, and for the total cost of the divorce, attorneys fees can range from $12,500 to $15,300.
Am I Eligible For A Divorce?
To get a divorce in Los Angeles, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Live in California for the last six months
- Live where you want to file for divorce in the last three months
By following these steps, that means you’re eligible to get a divorce.
How Does The Divorce Process Start?
To initiate the divorce process, you or your ex-spouse must file a Summons (FL-110) and Petition (FL-100), and if you have minor children, you need to file a Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody and Enforcement Act or UCCJEA (FL-105). You then need to bring these forms and petitions to the local courthouse and file them with the appropriate family law courthouse. There are also additional filing fees that apply when submitting these papers.
If you’re unsure where to start, the team at Boyd Law can help you during this process.
Is There A Waiting Period After A Divorce Is Finalized?
Yes. In California, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the petition is served before the divorce can be finalized. However, the length of time it takes to complete the divorce process can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, and also if both spouses are able to agree on most highly contested issues.
How Is Child Custody Determined After A Divorce?
If both parties cannot come to an agreement about custody and parenting time, the court will decide for them. Judges consider the facts of the case as they pertain to a number of factors set forth by California Family Code Section 3011, Section 3020 and others.
