What You Can Expect with Us
Experience the Difference With Shorb & Connor LLP
Our team is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.
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Compassionate Representation
Our family law firm is dedicated to providing compassionate support. We understand that family law matters are deeply personal, and we are here to listen and offer empathetic guidance every step of the way.
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Strategic FocusWe offer a comprehensive strategy for your case, not just a checklist of deadlines and steps. Our goal is to provide a clear, actionable roadmap that aligns with your objectives and leads to the best possible outcomes.
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Work Directly With Your AttorneyFrom the moment you contact us, you will speak directly with an attorney. This ensures that your concerns are immediately addressed by a knowledgeable professional, setting the stage for effective representation.
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Personalized Goal SettingWe believe in a collaborative process. By sitting down with you, we identify your objectives and outline a clear plan and strategy to achieve them, providing you with a sense of direction and control.
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Free ConsultationsInitial consultations are free of charge, providing an opportunity to discuss your case with an attorney without financial obligation.
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Holistic Approach to Family LawWe understand the myriad of factors that can impact your case and have the experience to address them all comprehensively.
What an Uncontested Divorce Means Under California Law
An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses have reached full agreement on every issue before documents are filed. That includes the division of community property (assets and debts acquired during the marriage), child custody and support arrangements, and spousal support. When the agreement covers all of these issues, the case typically avoids formal litigation and can often be resolved without either spouse appearing in court.
California law doesn’t allow one attorney to represent both spouses in a divorce. Each spouse may retain separate counsel, or one spouse may proceed without representation if both are genuinely in agreement. We represent one party and work to address that party’s interests, assets, and parenting concerns before any paperwork is signed or filed.
California Residency Requirements & the Six-Month Waiting Period
Before filing in San Diego County, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in the county for at least three months immediately before the petition is filed, as set out in California Family Code Section 2320.
California law also establishes a mandatory waiting period: a marriage can’t be legally terminated earlier than six months after the responding spouse is served with divorce papers or files a response. This applies to every California divorce, regardless of how quickly the spouses agree on terms. Even the smoothest uncontested divorce takes a minimum of six months from filing to finalization. We help clients understand this timeline from the outset so there are no surprises.
How the Process Works with Our Firm
We start by reviewing what you and your spouse have already agreed to, or what you’re working toward. Our job is to identify any gaps before documents are filed, not after. Issues that seem minor at the agreement stage, like how a retirement account is divided or how parenting time is structured during holidays, can create real problems if left unaddressed in a marital settlement agreement.
Both spouses are required by California law to exchange financial disclosures covering income, assets, debts, and expenses. We help clients organize those disclosures and prepare the supporting documents the court will need. Once everything is filed, a judge reviews the agreement. In many uncontested divorces, if the paperwork is in order, judgment can be entered without requiring either spouse to appear in court.
Start with a Complimentary Strategy Session
Reaching out is a low-pressure first step. Our complimentary strategy session gives you a chance to explain your situation, ask questions, and get a clear sense of what the process looks like for your circumstances. There’s no obligation and no sales pitch.
To speak with an uncontested divorce attorney at Shorb & Connor LLP, call (619) 330-0938 or use our contact form. We serve clients in Chula Vista and throughout San Diego County.
