Long Beach Divorce Lawyer

An attorney from Boyd Law can help whether you have a contested or uncontested divorce case, guiding you toward the right steps to achieve your goals. Call us at (310) 777-0231 for a private consultation with one of our trusted and experienced local family attorneys in Long Beach to learn how we can help.

Why Choose Our Divorce Attorney in Long Beach

• We have a reputation for being one of Southern California’s most successful family law firms. Our team has earned the trust of industry peers and thousands of clients over the years.
• Our family lawyers in Long Beach have over 30 years of experience to put toward navigating and negotiating your divorce. We have an in-depth understanding of state and local family laws.
• We have extensive resources to satisfy the needs of our clients. Our attorneys can guide you through even the most complex divorce case in Long Beach.

Meet Our Attorneys

At Boyd Law, we use a team-based approach to cover every aspect of a family law case. Our legal team is always one step ahead, with powerful strategies that are tailored to each client’s unique situation for optimal results. Attorney Karie Boyd is a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), meaning she has undergone additional training and education in family law to become board-certified as a specialist in this practice area. 

It can benefit you to trust a CFLS with your divorce case in Long Beach, as this type of attorney has an exceptional level of knowledge and maintains high standards of ethics and professionalism. A CFLS has passed challenging tests in family law and been approved by a panel to work as a specialist in this area. CFLSs are considered experts in their field.

How a Long Beach Lawyer Can Help With the Divorce Process

A divorce is an emotionally taxing legal process that can involve complicated state laws and contests by your soon-to-be ex-spouse. To effectively protect your rights during your divorce, you may need to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to represent you. An attorney can handle negotiations, including mediation and arbitration, on your behalf. If you cannot reach a divorce settlement, your lawyer can advocate for your best interests in court, as well.

California’s Divorce Laws

It is important to have at least a basic understanding of the state laws that will impact your divorce or legal separation. Knowledge of these laws will give you an edge during the negotiation of your divorce settlement. Our attorneys at Boyd Law can explain these laws to you – leaving out the legalese – to help you make informed decisions about your case.

Community Property Division

California is a community property state. This means all property owned by the couple and acquired during their marriage is viewed by the courts as being jointly owned by the “community” that both spouses form together. When a divorce occurs, the courts will split all community property evenly between the two parties (50/50), whether or not this is fair or equitable to either.

Child Custody Laws

There are joint and sole custody arrangements in California, as well as physical and legal custody. When determining child custody in California, the courts will always prioritize the child’s best interests. Neither the mother nor the father gets automatic preference. The courts will assess the familial situation and assign physical and/or legal custody as they see fit based on what will best protect the child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. 

Alimony and Child Support

Not all divorce cases in Long Beach will involve alimony (or spousal support) or child support orders. These are granted by a judge based on the family’s financial situation and the needs of those involved. If you wish to receive alimony as part of your divorce case, you will need to make this request with supporting financial documentation. Child support is generally awarded if the couple shares joint custody to ensure that both parents financially support the child equally.

How to File for Divorce in Long Beach, CA

If you believe that getting divorced is the best way forward for you and your family, start by obtaining the necessary divorce papers. You will need to fill out Form FL-100. You may also need to submit Form FL-105 and FL-311 if you have children. You must pay the filing fee, unless you qualify for a fee waiver. 

A third party must serve the divorce papers on your spouse, at which point he or she will have 30 days to respond. It does not matter who files for divorce; neither the Petitioner nor the Respondent is given an advantage. Your spouse will have the chance to respond with his or her own desired divorce terms.

If you and your spouse can communicate with each other and compromise, you may be able to come up with the terms of your divorce agreement yourselves (an uncontested divorce). A judge will typically sign off on the arrangement as long as it’s fair and lawful. If you cannot agree (a contested divorce), you may need to proceed to arbitration or divorce court in Long Beach.

When’s the Best Time to Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

While it can be beneficial to hire an attorney for any divorce case in Los Angeles County, it is especially important to protect yourself with legal representation if your divorce is complicated, such as a contested divorce with high-value assets, a child custody battle, a military divorce or a celebrity (or high-profile) divorce. In these situations, an attorney’s services can be invaluable as you navigate your dissolution of marriage. 

Contact Our Long Beach Divorce Attorneys Today for a Consultation

At Boyd Law, we take the time to get to know our clients and understand their unique situations so that we can fully address their needs. You will benefit from individualized care and tailored legal services at every phase of the legal process. 

We know how daunting and stressful a divorce in Long Beach can be. We’re here to guide you with client-centric legal services and conflict resolution orchestrated by a specialist. Speak to our attorneys today about your Long Beach divorce case. Call (310) 777-0231 or contact us online to schedule your initial consultation.