• The state of California won’t force you to stay married.
• You don’t need to prove fault or have grounds for a divorce.
• You don’t have to agree on the details, but it’s faster if you do.
• Just like your spouse can’t force you to stay married if you want a divorce, you don’t have to wait to file a divorce until you have an agreement on all the major terms, like how to split your property and child custody. If you can agree to terms, you can probably file for a faster divorce. However, you can also ask the courts to make those major decisions on your behalf.
• Once you file, your spouse will have the option to respond, at which point you can strategize accordingly. Getting the right help early in the process will help you avoid mistakes and falling victim to common divorce myths.

Under a nesting arrangement, children stay in a family or mutual home, while co-parents take turns living in the family home to take care of the children. So, rather than having to pickup and drop-off your kids between two homes, you and your ex will be the ones splitting your time between two residences.

If you are considering nesting, here are three benefits to keep in mind: Adjustment period, Sense of stability and Co-parent teamwork development.

For a premarital agreement to be valid, both you and your partner must each have an attorney representing you. Your lawyer will explain how negotiating and drafting a prenup works, negotiate on your behalf, and go over the resulting document with you so that you understand it thoroughly.

The following are some common ways spouses hide assets during a divorce:

• With a secret bank account
• With a business
• With valuable collectibles and antiques
• With gifts
• With a safety deposit box

If you’re suspicious that your spouse is hiding assets, you must obtain proof. A judge will only reevaluate your division of property if you can provide hard evidence against your spouse. Stay alert during the divorce and keep a close eye on all your valuable assets, monetary and otherwise. Make sure to check and double-check your property, and if anything seems out of place, consider speaking with an attorney who can help you through the divorce.

Your children need you as they grow up, and you wouldn’t want it any other way. A divorce could step in to threaten that relationship, especially as California falls short when it comes to dividing parenting time.

The National Parents Organization (NPO) stamped California with a D grade when it comes to legislation on shared parenting. Splitting custody evenly can be crucial for the healthy upbringing of your child, but California doesn’t always present a clear path for you to take.