Divorce litigation processes can be stressful and time-consuming. The long legal battles, court issues, court fees, all these things add up to a stressful mind and life. Thankfully, there are much easier, much more stream-lined ways to get a divorce. Mediation is another way spouses may get a quick divorce while keeping the expensive legal fees down. Here’s what you need to know about mediation and how it can help you save stress, time, and money.
What is mediation? How can it help me get a quick divorce?
A mediator is a third-party neutral negotiator who would come together will both spouses to come to agreements. Both spouses would meet with the mediator in a calm setting, where both spouses may state their cases and provide the correct documents to the mediator. The mediator would be there to negotiate and settle between the two spouses that cannot come to agreements. Mediators are able to have a quick divorce process without having to go through the legal system. However, divorce mediation cannot be finalized on its own, it needs to be filed with the court.
A mediator would be able to cover a variety of subjects. With California being a 50/50 split state, a mediator would be able to help discuss and divide any assets the spouses may have acquired. Assets, debts, properties, and tax returns would be needed to be given to the mediator so that they may negotiate and settle properly. There are some things a mediator cannot cover, such as child support or visitation periods. Those criteria are left up to the court to decide.
What is a quick divorce dissolution?
Depending on how long the spouse has been married, they may be able to file for a quick divorce dissolution. In cases where spouses have been married for a short amount of time, the court may grant a final decree of dissolution. This happens very rarely because most couples are married for over a year. If the court does allow a quick divorce dissolution, the divorce could be over in 45 days.
What is an annulment?
An annulment is a court order that orders the marriage null and illegitimate. Annulments are much harder to obtain, as it’s difficult to prove that a marriage was done on illegitimate grounds. Some instances where an annulment is possible is when the married couple include:
-Blood relations- Blood-related spouses cannot and will not be considered legal
-Forced marriage- If a spouse fraudulently engaged in marriage by force or blackmail. This includes fraud by marrying someone for a green card.
-Physical incapacity- If a spouse physically not bear or have children, they may be granted an annulment.
-Mental incapacity- If the spouse has a mental incapacity that cannot be cured or could not understand the magnitude of marriage or what they have entered, they may petition for an annulment.
Some of these circumstances are difficult to prove. If marriage was done 16 years ago, it would be extremely hard to prove that a marriage was done illegally or by force. Most people would rather opt for a quick divorce summary or mediation.
F.A.Qs
Q: How long does it take to get a divorce in California?
A: It takes 6 months from the date of filing to the date of finalization. The only way to bypass this wait is by getting a quick divorce summary, which is difficult because most people have been married for a long time.
Q: How much does the average divorce cost?
A: It depends on your case and your complexity. The average US divorce costs $15,000. But, in more complex cases that take over 6 months and have many issues, the price would go up. Contact Pride Legal for more information.
Contact Pride Legal
If you or a loved one has been thinking about getting a divorce or hiring a mediator, we invite you to contact us at Pride Legal for legal counseling or any further questions. To protect your rights, hire someone who understands them.
