Marital Settlement Agreement Lawyer in Los Angeles, Helping Clients Reduce the Stress of Divorce

The divorce process is never an easy thing to go through — even in states like California that don’t require fault to be placed on any one party. In many cases, the ending of a marriage results in drawn-out litigation that’s costly and stressful for everyone. This is particularly heartbreaking in instances where children are involved. However, this doesn’t have to be how your divorce plays out. It’s possible to reach a divorce agreement that accounts for everyone’s best interests, and this can be done outside of a courtroom. A marital settlement agreement lawyer in Los Angeles can help in this process.

At Kim Mediation and Law Center, we understand that litigation is the only option in some situations. Unfortunately, it’s frequently the default option for far too many people. You don’t have to let a judge you’ve never met make the most important decisions in your life. When you establish an attorney-client relationship with our law firm, we can help draft a written agreement that settles all your divorce issues and is likely to be approved by California courts. Don’t waste time and money — or your mental well-being — by jumping straight into litigation. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn all your options.

What Are Marital Settlement Agreements?

Marital settlement agreements are contracts entered into by two parties of a divorce. It is a written agreement that dictates what will happen to properties, assets, and other possessions. Issues like child support, custody, and spousal support (i.e., alimony) are typically also included. California is a no-fault divorce state, so it’s not necessary for individuals to prove who was at fault for the dissolution of their marriage. This means that even the most complex issues can be handled between two parties in a marital settlement agreement. You might also hear the terms “divorce property settlement agreement” and “property settlement agreement.” These are just different ways to say “marital settlement agreement.”

Once two soon-to-be-former partners create a divorce agreement, it must be submitted to the courts to receive a final divorce decree. When drafted properly, the court will typically approve the agreement so everyone can move on with their lives. If simple mistakes are made or certain provisions of the contract violate statutory requirements, though, a judge may decline the marital settlement agreement. This can turn what should’ve been a straightforward process into a difficult issue involving high legal fees, extensive time in court, and an unnecessarily challenging path forward. Avoid these issues by speaking with a Los Angeles marital settlement agreement attorney at Kim Mediation and Law Center.

What Issues Can a Marital Settlement Agreement Cover?

There are times when a proposed agreement can be incredibly simple. If you have no children, few assets, and are on relatively equal grounding financially, even a divorce that ends up in court has the potential to go by quickly. Of course, this process can also reach a fast conclusion in more complex cases if a couple is able to come to terms on all issues. Regardless of whether your case is simple or elaborate, your divorce agreement may involve the following settlement types:

Child custody

Child support

Real estate

Spousal support

Financial accounts and debt division

Retirement accounts

These are the main issues typically covered in marital settlement agreements, but any form of community property will also need to be covered. If you can agree on these and other pressing issues, your divorce case can conclude without a judge issuing a court order you may have no control over. Even if it seems like there’s no hope coming to an agreement over some disagreements, you’d be surprised what a family law attorney in Los Angeles can do in your situation. Don’t hesitate to speak with a divorce attorney with family law experience today.

How Can a Family Law Attorney Help?

A family law attorney can help you through the divorce process in a variety of ways. If you retain your own attorney for litigation, you’ll obviously have someone fighting to secure the best outcome for you. This is rarely simple or unstressful. Fortunately, a trained attorney can also help you reach a marital settlement agreement without going through an adversarial trial. If you’ve agreed on everything already, an attorney can help ensure your agreement is valid. And if some issues still need ironing out, a legal professional trained in mediation and collaborative law can help you reach an agreement that works for everyone.

One of the best aspects of taking a cooperative approach is that your sensitive or confidential information can stay out of the public eye. Everything that happens at trial is a matter of public record. This means that — if one spouse decides to air “dirty laundry” in an attempt to get sole legal custody — that information will be available for anyone to see. This is particularly distressing since many of the things parties believe will have an effect at trial actually will not. By speaking with an attorney to get a better grasp of legal issues outside of court, it’s possible to understand exactly what the law will require during your divorce.

What About the Attorney-Client Relationship?

If you’re considering creating a written document that stipulates what happens after your divorce, you may be concerned about the traditional attorney-client relationship. After all, wouldn’t you be better off having a lawyer that’s representing your best interests? This is true in some cases, but having independent counsel isn’t always necessary. If you and your former partner have come to an agreement on important issues, you can speak to an attorney who can review your agreement, correct any legal issues, and submit your documentation to the court. In such a situation, the lawyer would merely help institute the agreement you already reached.

This is also true when you hire a legal professional as a mediator. They can help you understand issues of law and ensure negotiations remain cooperative and cordial. Once you reach an agreement during mediation, an attorney can submit the proper paperwork. Even if you don’t agree on everything during mediation, reaching a consensus on certain issues will still simplify and expedite divorce proceedings. And if decide that you do want to seek independent legal advice, reaching out to an attorney experienced in collaborative law can help you go through the process without the most common stressors experienced by divorcing couples.

Contact a Marital Settlement Agreement Lawyer in Los Angeles Today

Even if a married couple’s divorce seems simple, straightforward, and amenable, there are several complex issues involved. If you’re not careful, your final divorce decree may look nothing like what you agreed upon. California is very stringent when it comes to these contracts — because when done improperly, parties can experience negative repercussions that last a lifetime. This is the case even if you have no children and minimal community property to divide. Fortunately, all parties involved can benefit from the help of a family law firm.

At Kim Mediation and Law Center, we understand the stress that the divorce process can place on those involved. That’s why our goal is to help simplify the process by enabling a cooperative approach to separation. Whether your divorce agreement only involves property settlements or the situation is more complex due to child support and custody issues, we can assist you in navigating tumultuous legal waters and moving on with your life. Contact us today by calling (213) 351-1000 to schedule a free consultation. Divorce is hard no matter what, but a marital settlement agreement attorney in Los Angeles can help.