Many times when a divorce is filed, it begins as a contested divorce. However before the actual trial date, the couple will reach an agreement on the financial terms of the divorce, including child support and allocation of debt and assets. The biggest advantage of the settlement is that neither spouse can appeal it and must live by it. Since a settlement has been reached, the divorce will speed along quicker and can bring a quicker end to the marriage.

California Child Custody in a shared arrangement, in one form or another, is the preferred method of our California divorce customers. If a sole custody arrangement is to be considered, then there is usually a reason agreed upon by both parties that one parent is to have the children. Usually the financial status of a parent is not to be considered for allocating any parental rights and responsibilities. Shared Custody or Sole Child Custody may be awarded according to the best interests of the child.

 Visitation is the plan the spouses have on where the children will live and when the children will see the other spouse

 Legal Custody is the decision ability of the parents in the lives of the children. Such as, where the children will attend school and which church they will go to.

 Physical Custody pertains to the place where the children will live and which parent they live with.

If the parents are unable to agree to an amount of child support, there are guidelines that determine the amount of support based on the California Child Support Guidelines. The guideline amount is presumed to arrive at an amount of support that is in the child's best interest. But, most divorcing spouses agree to a figure on their own, that will work just fine. Also, in most situations, -0- Child Support is OK if both spouses are working and can manage.

In an Uncontested "Agreed Divorce" or "Default Divorce" the property is divided so that both parties agree to the division. The main concern here is to agree to the property division so that it doesn’t create a fight that one party will want to go to a California divorce lawyer or divorce attorney to make the case into a Contested Divorce. Then you will have to incur the fees of a lawyer too.

1.         Debts Most divorcing spouses set out who will pay what debts as part of their marital settlement agreement during the divorce process, and close all of their joint accounts.

2.         Alimony (Spousal Support) In an Uncontested Divorce, Alimony may be awarded to either spouse for their support and maintenance after the divorce. Both parties must agree to it. Since most spouses are working, alimony (if awarded at all), is usually for a shorter period of time, and smaller amount than in the past. Alimony may be paid in a lump sum payment of money or a payment plan. Alimony is not required for a person to get divorced in California.