Divorce is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. The Los Angeles divorce attorneys at The Law Office of Mitchell A. Jacobs have been entrusted with some of the most complex divorce cases in California.

We understand that no divorce is routine. The emotional and financial well-being of our clients depends on our abilities in the negotiating room and in the courtroom. It is an obligation we take very seriously and one that we fulfill with each client we take the honor and responsibility of representing.

Mitchell A. Jacobs has been a Board Certified Family Law Specialist since 1986 – a distinction earned by less than 1 in every 200 California family law attorneys. Board certification signifies the highest level of professional excellence in all family law matters. For the past 25 years, he has built a practice exclusively focused on providing some of the best family law representation available in the United States.

California is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning that grounds for divorce will be found based on “irreconcilable differences” without the need to assign fault to either spouse. California law also calls for an equal division of marital assets. Some mistakenly believe this eliminates the need for an attorney or that a couple may use just one attorney to fashion a divorce agreement. However, an attorney can only represent one spouse well in a divorce; although the law calls for an equal division of marital assets, what is “equal” and what constitutes a “marital asset” are frequently up for vigorous debate.

The firm has significant expertise in divorce taxation. It is not enough to value assets as of their fair market value in order to divide them equally. You must closely look at the tax basis in the asset. If in the division of the assets in your case you end up with assets which have a high tax basis, upon eventual sale of the assets you may end with significantly less value in the assets you received. Many are surprised to learn that, despite the law, it is not at all unusual for one party to a divorce to walk away with next to nothing.

Steps in a Los Angeles divorce proceeding:

• A petition to dissolve the marriage is filed by a spouse.
• The other spouse may file a response within 30 days.
• Orders to Show Cause may be filed, which ask for a hearing at which a judge may issue temporary orders, including child support, possession of property and visitation.
• Both spouses must exchange documents revealing income, assets and expenses. Written questions and depositions (sworn interviews) may be taken to gather additional information from each spouse.
• If the parties can reach a settlement, through negotiation or mediation, their attorneys will execute a Marital Settlement Agreement. If issues cannot be resolved, the case will proceed to trial.
• Upon an agreement, or at outcome of trial, the attorneys will prepare and filed a Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

Usually, divorce is a painful and emotional time. Sometimes, a spouse is tempted to throw in the towel and agree to whatever it takes to quickly dissolve the marriage. Other times, the financial strains a divorce puts on a couple’s finances can lead one or both parties to decide against hiring a lawyer. This is usually a mistake. Too many consequences can arise from a badly executed divorce to risk foregoing the experience of a qualified Los Angeles divorce lawyer. Child custody, alimony, child support, debt and taxes can all seriously impact a divorced spouse’s quality of life for years to come. Many of these issues are much easier to properly resolve during a divorce than they are to revisit afterward in an effort to right a wrong.

If you are facing a divorce in the Los Angeles area, or if you are considering filing for divorce, contact the Law Office of Mitchell A. Jacobs to discuss your rights.