Sometimes the Best Option is Not Divorce
For many people, divorce is not an option they can accept. Although a legal separation will not terminate your marital status, it can provide a means of resolving some important family law issues and allow you to move on with your life.
If you are considering filing for divorce, but you are interested in exploring other options, the Law Offices of Teresa Bristow can explain the benefits of a legal separation by court order or an annulment. We will listen to your concerns and work closely with you to help you through the negotiations and legal processes that are in front of you.
Divorce vs. Legal Separation
Divorce and legal separation both require an agreement or court order for things like child support, spousal support or alimony, child custody, visitation and property division. However, with a legal separation, the marital status remains intact. This is often desirable for religious reasons or to allow a spouse to continue to qualify for insurance benefits. There is also a residency requirement in California to file for divorce requiring a party to have lived in California for six months and your county of residence for three months before filing for divorce in that county. This same jurisdictional requirement does not apply to filing for a legal separation.
Divorce vs. Annulment
An annulment can be sought when the validity of a marriage comes into question, as opposed to a divorce, which seeks to end a valid marriage. Determining the validity of a marriage can become a very complex legal matter. A marriage may be deemed invalid in cases of fraud, forced marriage, bigamy, incest and many other issues. An annulment, if granted, treats the marriage as if it never happened.
Providing Personal Service at a Reasonable Cost
In either instance, our attorney will provide you with personal service that helps you get the results you want — at a reasonable cost.
To talk with a lawyer who understands legal separation and annulment and who will work quickly to get the best results for you, contact the Law Offices of Teresa Bristow in Sacramento to schedule an initial consultation.
