Divorce Lawyer in Torrance, California

If you are looking for a divorce lawyer in Los Angeles County to represent you and your family, you can confidently end your search with Michael D. Shook, Attorney At Law. While there are countless divorce lawyers in Los Angeles County to choose from, few are as experienced, compassionate, and skilled as him. Since 1994, Attorney Shook has helped thousands of individuals and their families navigate divorces. He is easy to work with and consistently provides the individualized support that clients need. Plus, Attorney Shook’s services are affordable, and getting an initial case review is completely free. 

Not all divorce lawyers are equal. Before you move ahead with anybody else, call to schedule a consultation with Torrance divorce lawyer Michael D. Shook. During this meeting, you can speak with him about your case’s details and learn how he can guide you through the divorce process and look out for your rights. 

Call (310) 361-2977 or submit our office’s online contact form to get started. 

Types of Divorce in California

When divorcing spouses can agree on the terms of their divorce, they can seek an uncontested divorce. Since there are no disputes about custody, child support, or property division, this divorce process is generally faster and less expensive than the alternative. 

Contested divorces involve disputes between divorcing parties. Spouses may have to participate in mediation to settle the divorce or even appear before a judge who will decide the settlement terms. 

To learn more about either process, visit our uncontested divorce page or our contested divorce page. 

Filing for Divorce in California

What follows is an outline of the process of filing for Divorce in California:

Meeting the Residency Requirement

Before filing for divorce in California, one spouse must meet the state’s divorce residency requirements. At least one spouse needs to have lived in California for six months before filing. The same spouse must have also lived in their filing county for three months. 

Filing the Petition and Summons

To initiate the divorce, one spouse (the petitioner) must fill out and file:

1. The Divorce Petition: This document will include information about the marriage. It also will include requests for orders about property division, child custody and support, spousal support, and other terms of the divorce.
2. A Summons: This notifies the other spouse (the respondent) of the divorce and informs them that they have 30 days to respond to the summons. 

If a couple has a child, the petitioner must also file a Declaration under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which provides courts with information about a couple’s child/children and whether they are part of other pending court cases. 

Requesting Temporary Orders

In certain cases, a petitioner or respondent might need support for themselves or their children during the divorce process. Additionally, couples might want to establish a custody agreement that provides guidelines for who will care for their child during the divorce and when. Temporary orders allow divorcing couples to settle these matters. 

Unfortunately, seeking temporary orders and initiating a divorce can be complex. These involve filling out legal documents, engaging with courts, and negotiating with a spouse or their attorney. Each presents challenges that can add to the emotional toll of deciding to file for divorce. This is why retaining a trusted divorce lawyer can be invaluable.