The Modern Woman’s Divorce Guide » The Purpose Driven Divorce, Part V, written by Kelly Chang Rickert, CFLS

The Purpose Driven Divorce, Part V, written by Kelly Chang Rickert, CFLS

STEP FIVE: REACHING AN AGREEMENT OR PREPARING FOR TRIAL
Purpose: To Get the Judgment Finalizing your Divorce Case

After financial disclosures have been exchanged, it is time to start negotiating settlement and resolve all of the issues in your case, such as who will keep the house, how much support you will pay, and who will have the children for Christmas or Hannukah this year. Because each of you has completed full and thorough disclosures, you should both be in a good position to discuss settlement.

If you reach an agreement, you can file a Stipulated Judgment, or a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA). Once the Judge stamps the Judgment, you should receive a Notice of Entry of Judgment, which gives you a date of divorce and your divorce is finalized. Congratulations! If you are unable to reach a settlement agreement, you will need to begin preparing for trial and ask the Judge to set a court date.

If you missed the first two parts of this series, you can find them here:

STEP ONE: FILING THE PETITION IN CALIFORNIA
Purpose: To get the process started

STEP TWO: GETTING TEMPORARY ORDERS VIA AN OSC
Purpose: To have a sense of peace and order by having temporary orders in writing pending the Judgment

STEP THREE: OBTAINING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS
Purpose: To protect the parties and children in a high-conflict divorce and custody case

STEP FOUR: FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Purpose: To Reach a Fair Settlement and Ensure the Settlement Will Not Be Overturned For Failure to Disclose

Kelly Chang Rickert is a California Certified Family Law Specialist whose family law practice is located in Los Angeles, California. Kelly’s firm Her firm specializes in Divorce and Family Law, and handles all areas of Divorce, Annulment, Spousal Support, Child Support; Modification, Child Custody and Visitation, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, Adoptions, Property Division; Restraining Orders; and Family Law Mediation. She can be reached at 323/393-5669.

This is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have legal questions that relate to your specific divorce. Technorati Tags: divorce California CA Dissolution Marriage financial finances money disclosure income assets debts expenses divorcing get divorced Kelly Chang Rickert Certified Family Law Specialist Los Angeles women woman law