Completing Your California Divorce: Steps to Finalize Your Case
Many individuals find themselves in a situation where they initiated their divorce but never completed the process. If you’re one of those people, you’re not alone. This blog post will guide you through the steps necessary to finish your divorce in California, especially if you’ve been stuck in limbo for years. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Problem
It’s not uncommon for individuals to begin the divorce process only to realize later that they haven’t completed it. I’ve spoken with many people who filed for divorce years ago, only to discover that they never served their spouse or finalized their case. This can lead to confusing and sometimes complicated situations, especially if you’ve since remarried.
Real-Life Examples
Just yesterday, I spoke with someone who filed for divorce in 2008 but never served their spouse. Can you imagine? Almost six years have gone by, and they’re unsure if they need to start over or if they can pick up where they left off. This situation is more common than you might think.
Another case involved a client who believed their divorce was finalized, but years later, they found out it wasn’t. They had already remarried, which can complicate matters significantly.
What to Do If You Haven’t Completed Your Divorce
If you find yourself in this predicament, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to proceed.
Step 1: Locate Your Case Number
The first step is to find your case number. This is essential for checking the status of your divorce. If you don’t have a copy of your initial filing, you can visit the courthouse where you filed your divorce. In Los Angeles County, for instance, you can go to any branch, such as San Fernando or Lancaster, and access public computers to search by your name.
Step 2: Determine Your Next Steps
Once you have your case number, you can check the status of your divorce. If your case has not been dismissed, you may be able to proceed with the necessary steps to finalize it.
If you’ve never served your spouse, you’ll need to do that first. This is crucial as serving your spouse is a legal requirement to move forward with your divorce.
Step 3: Serve Your Spouse
After locating your case number and determining that your case is still active, the next step is to serve your spouse. In California, you can have a professional process server or someone over 18 who is not involved in the case serve the papers.
If both parties are on good terms, serving your spouse via mail is also an option. They will need to sign and return a document confirming they received the papers.
Completing Financial Disclosures
After serving your spouse, you will need to complete financial disclosures. This involves filling out the preliminary declaration of disclosure, your income and expense declaration, and a schedule of assets and debts. Being honest and transparent during this process is crucial.
The Importance of Full Disclosure
Complete and accurate financial disclosures are essential, even if you believe your divorce will be uncontested. If either party hides assets, the court can penalize them, which might result in a more favorable outcome for the other spouse.
Finalizing the Divorce
Once the financial disclosures are complete, the next step is to move toward obtaining a final judgment. This process involves filing additional documents with the court to finalize the divorce.
What Happens If Your Case Is Old?
In some cases, you might be dealing with paperwork that’s decades old. I once worked with a client whose case was over 18 years old. They had filed and served the initial documents but never moved forward. We had to pick up where they left off, and luckily, the other party had not filed a response, simplifying the process.
In such scenarios, we review all the old paperwork, ensure everything is in order, and then proceed with completing the necessary steps for finalizing the divorce.
Get Help If You Need It
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused, remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. We specialize in helping individuals complete their divorce cases in California, regardless of how long it’s been since you filed.
We can assist you in locating your case number, understanding your status, and guiding you through the necessary steps to finalize your divorce.
Contact Us
If you need assistance with your old case, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me, Tim Blankenship, at 661-281-0266. Our expertise in California divorce ensures that we can help you navigate this process smoothly.
For more information, visit our website at divorce661.com. We’re here to help you wrap things up and move forward with your life.
Conclusion
Completing a divorce that was never finalized can seem daunting, but with the right steps and assistance, it can be manageable. Whether you filed years ago or recently, understanding the process and knowing your options is crucial. Don’t let an unfinished divorce hold you back any longer.
Thank you for reading, and remember, you’re not alone in this process!
