The legal process of divorce can be one of the most daunting and stressful aspects of ending a marriage. From understanding legal jargon to managing court dates and negotiations, the complexities of the legal system can add an extra layer of stress to an already challenging time. Here are three of the top challenges people face during the legal process divorce and practical tips for coping with each one.

One of the most common divorce questions is whether the length of the marriage matters in a California divorce. The short answer is yes. The length of marriage is measured from the date of marriage until the date of separation. The date of separation is not the same thing as the date of divorce. This is because couples choose to separate and then go through the legal process of divorce. The length of marriage impacts spousal support and asset/debt division in California divorces.

It’s not uncommon for people to get hung up on their spouse’s wrongdoings during divorce proceedings. We get it - divorce and separation is extremely painful, and people do hurtful and even deplorable things to each other. We see cases involving infidelity, financial abuse, domestic violence, and more - deep and harmful betrayal and deception. But do California courts care if your spouse is to blame for the breakdown of your marriage? And why is no-fault divorce a hot topic in the news right now?

According to the National Marriage Project, couples who reported disagreements about finances once per week were over 30% more likely to divorce than couples who reported disagreements about finances less frequently. There are certain common money mistakes couples make that we see repeatedly in our divorce cases. These mistakes and disagreements cause tension in the relationship and can even destroy a marriage.

Financial infidelity occurs when couples with combined finances lie to each other about money. It can include hiding debt, purchases, or financial accounts from a partner. Financial disagreements are stronger predictors of divorce relative to other common marital disagreements.

Case Summary: Prenups and Spousal Support in Last v. Superior Court (2023)

One of the top concerns people have at the beginning of the divorce process is financial ruin. These are the top four ways that people make their divorces more expensive than they need to be.