Sacramento Divorce Lawyers
Gain Peace of Mind with Expert Legal Representation
Many divorce clients experience disagreement and anxiety over custody of children, division of property, and the payment of child and spousal support. The experienced family law attorneys at Hughes Law Group are here to make the separation process easier on you.
Our customized services address your actual legal needs and we communicate with you regularly so that you understand your options and rights. We represent parents and spouses throughout Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, and El Dorado Counties with negotiation (whenever possible) and litigation (whenever necessary).
Hughes Law Group Sacramento divorce attorneys handle both contested and uncontested divorces as well as legal separation and annulments. We represent our clients zealously through informal negotiation all the way through courtroom litigation.
40% - 50%
Marriages in United States that end in divorce. According to the American Psychological Association. [1]
11.8%
Sacramento County has one of the highest divorce rates in California. Census information from 2016 indicated that 11.8% of the total population of Sacramento County has already completed the divorce process.
45%
According to the Sacramento Bee, in the city of Sacramento, only 45 percent of adults are married. In the nearby suburbs of Roseville and Elk Grove, about 60 percent of adults are married. [2]
The Divorce Process: What to Expect
Divorce isn't a simple legal matter that can be solved in a day. If you are considering a divorce, here is a look at the process and what you can expect.
Initial Filings & Service (Automatic TROs)
• Petition and Summons
• ResponseTemporary Orders (Optional Orders Pending Trial or Judgment)
• Temporary Child Custody.
• Temporary Child Support.
• Temporary Spousal Support.
• Temporary Control of Property (usually real estate, vehicle, business).
• Attorney and Expert Fees.Financial Disclosures. The foundation of financial judgment. No permanent adjudication of spousal support, property division, or attorney fees without full compliance.
• Income and Expense Declaration.
• Schedule of Assets and Debts.
• Tax Returns.
• Investment Opportunities.Settlement Negotiations or Prepare for Trial
• Securing Evidence.
• Witness Preparation.
• Expert Preparation.
• Legal BriefingMarital Settlement Agreement and Divorce Judgment
• Child Custody.
• Child Support.
• Post-Judgment “Permanent” Spousal Support.
• Award and Division of Community Property and Community Debts.
• Attorney and Expert Fees.Trial, Court Ruling and Judgment
• Child Custody.
• Child Support.
• Post-Judgment “Permanent” Spousal Support.
• Award and Division of Community Property and Community Debts.
• Attorney and Expert Fees.Court rules on all disputed issues of fact or law.
Divorce FAQs
How to file for divorce in California?
A divorce action starts with filing a Petition (Judicial Council Form Fl-100) in the Superior Court in the county where either you or your spouse has lived for at least three months. Other than possibly selecting between two available counties, there is no advantage of being the Petitioner (the party that files first) or the Respondent (the party that is served with the Petition). The first filing fee due to the court is $435.00.
How much does divorce cost?
The cost of a divorce depends entirely on the complexity of issues and the level of cooperation in the case. According to a Lawyers.com survey, the average California divorce costs between $12,000 and $15,000 - but that figure is not very helpful because it includes cases with and without children, no property and complex property estates, as well as representation varying from a single consultation through full-service representation. Every case is entirely different.
How long does a divorce take?
A California divorce cannot be finalized for at least six months after the Respondent is served with the Summons, but the financial (property and support) issues can be resolved any time after the parties have exchanged their financial disclosures. The average contested case in California takes around eighteen months. If the parties don’t settle, the disputed issues are determined by a judge at trial. Trials should be set months in advance to allow the parties to secure all needed evidence.
How to prepare for divorce?
Book a confidential consultation with an attorney, preferably one with experience and a practice limited to family law. Make an inventory of your property. Secure copies of all financial records. Review your credit report. Save funds for fees and open a credit card in your name alone. Open a P.O. Box. Change all your passwords. Turn “share location” services off on your cell phone. If you fear your spouse, speak to a domestic violence prevention counselor about a “safety plan” and discuss a restraining order with your attorney.
What is an uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce means that the parties have a full agreement for custody of their children, support, and division of their property. One party (the “Petitioner”) files the Divorce Petition and has the Respondent served, the parties then exchange financial disclosures and reach a full written marital settlement agreement (the “MSA”) before the time expires for the Respondent to file his/her Response. The Petitioner files other necessary forms with the court and (after judicial approval), the MSA becomes the terms of the Divorce Judgment.
