310-552-3500
At the Land Legal Group, our Los Angeles family law attorneys know that once our California clients decide to divorce, most want to get through the proceedings as quickly as possible, so they can move forward with their new lives.
Some even start their attorney-client relationships by asking, “How long is this going to take?”
The short answer is, each case is unique and there is no way to pinpoint the exact date on which your divorce will be finalized.
However, outside of the mandatory waiting period for a divorce in California, multiple factors may significantly prolong a divorce.
Factor One: The Inability to Compromise
When spouses were involved in high-conflict marriages, those stances often carry over into the divorce.
Likewise, when marriages end on less than good terms, some spouses want to fight for what they believe they are entitled to from the divorce.
Failing to compromise, or even equitably split, complicates issues and can cause the divorce to take longer than it needs to.
When both parties come to the table willing to make sacrifices and compromises, the process will likely go much smoother.
Factor Two: Child Custody Decisions
Typically, divorces involving minor children take longer than those without.
And for good reason.
Even if you agree to split parenting time evenly — or near evenly — there are multiple details to work out based on the best interests of the children. That means something different for every family and is typically dictated by their ages or any special needs they might have.
If parents cannot agree on child custody decisions, the case will take even longer, because the court will become involved. The judge will evaluate each parent’s lifestyle, financial situation, health, and other details to determine who gets physical custody of the children, who will get visitation rights, and who can make major decisions regarding the child’s welfare, like religion, schooling, and medical care, which is defined as legal custody.
Once child custody is determined, child support will be calculated based on the amount of time the child(ren) spends with each parent, and multiple other details.
The goal of child support is to ensure the child is well cared for and that both parents share the financial responsibilities associated with raising their kids.
Factor Three: High-Asset Divorce
When couples are engaged in high-asset divorces, the process of dividing those assets will become incredibly complicated, especially if a prenuptial agreement is not in place. With so much at stake, including each party’s future tax implications, it is vital that you turn to trusted Los Angeles divorce lawyers who have experience in this area.
Outlining Your Finances During a Divorce Requires Complete Transparency
If either spouse plans to hide assets during a divorce or be less than forthcoming about assets the other spouse may not be aware of, we are going to find out.
First, hiding assets is illegal. And when one spouse attempts to conceal finances to avoid an equitable distribution of the funds, the proceedings may take longer than they would have originally.
When hidden accounts are discovered, the other spouse has the right to demand a full audit of the marital finances, potentially adding months to the divorce proceedings.
Financial accuracy is not only a legal requirement, but it also speaks to your integrity during the proceedings. Family court judges significantly frown on spouses who are hiding wealth and may decide to award the other spouse significant damages as a result.
Begin Your Divorce With an Open and Honest Conversation with Your Attorney
From beginning to end, honesty is critical to your divorce’s success.
When you decide to partner with an experienced Los Angeles divorce attorney, take the time you need to have an honest conversation about your marriage and what you want from the divorce.
The more we know, the easier it will be to navigate the legal proceedings without accidental omissions that may reflect poorly on you in court.
Contact the Land Legal Group Family Law Attorneys in Los Angeles Today
If you are unsure of how your divorce will unfold, and would like to do what you can to expedite the process, contact our skilled divorce attorneys in Los Angeles County at the Land Legal Group today at (310) 552-3500 to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your unique needs and to learn how we can help.
