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(510) 351-5345
2777 Alvarado Street, Suite E
San Leandro, CA 94577
2777 Alvarado Street, Suite E
San Leandro, CA 94577
Most couples envision a bright future when they tie the knot with that special someone. Unfortunately, life has other plans and nearly 50% of marriages in America today end in divorce. It’s a sad fact, but it is a fact.
Once you’re on your way to divorce, it’s crucial to shift gears from trying to save the marriage to trying to save your rightful property and hard-earned assets. That’s where having an excellent divorce attorney makes all the difference.
A marriage is many things but, in its most simple terms, it’s a legal contract between two parties, and a divorce is the dissolution of that agreement.
If you have no children and few assets, the proceedings might not require too much deep diving to determine who will receive what and what is fair when the divorce is finalized. However, divorces where the couple have joint bank accounts, debt, real estate, property, automobiles, and other tangible assets together are significantly more complicated.
A divorce lawyer is hired to represent you during divorce proceedings and ensure that your assets and what is rightfully yours remains yours. Even in complex scenarios where many items are contested, a good divorce lawyer knows the law and will be your best chance at receiving the best outcome.
Sometimes the two involved parties of the divorce can discuss things in a calm and rational manner and weigh their options objectively. Often, this is not the case.
Your divorce attorney, however, is not as emotionally invested in the situation. When your soon-to-be ex is getting a rise out of you, your divorce attorney is cool as a cucumber, ready to handle it with confidence and composure.
It’s up to your divorce attorney to represent you and your best interests during divorce proceedings and work to achieve the best possible outcome based on your circumstances and personal situation.
Even in an uncontested divorce, it’s prudent to hire a divorce lawyer or attorney to review the agreement. Leaving the outcome to chance or assuming everything will be processed exactly as you verbally agreed upon leaves you open to be hit with unwelcome surprises or curveballs later.
In a contested divorce when tempers are flaring and emotions are heightened, it’s very important to have a level-headed lawyer to represent your best interests when you feel angry, upset, overwhelmed, or otherwise unable to coherently represent your own best interests faithfully.
Nearly all married couples understand divorce is the last resort if they discover irreconcilable differences and are unable to work through them. What many don’t know is exactly how one files for divorce in the first place.
A great first step is identifying a quality divorce lawyer and consulting them regarding the process. Not only will they outline every step of the process, but they will also be there to guide you through as the process unfolds too, providing insight, knowledge, and support every step of the way.
To file for divorce, the party initiating the divorce must fill out papers, file them with the court, and either serve their spouse, either personally or through a third party. Unfortunately, filing is only the beginning of the lengthy process.
The divorce process may take some time depending on several factors. Married couples with many assets and shared property will need more time to work through who is entitled to what. Couples with children must decide the child custody arrangement, visitation, and alimony.
Furthermore, couples who cannot agree on any of these essential items and leave the final say to the judge will wind up waiting longer for the divorce to finalize since they cannot reach an agreement on their own.
Generally, couples should expect their divorce, in the State of California, to take approximately six months at minimum. Uncontested divorces could go through faster with the only real delays being on the court to finalize documents, whereas contested divorces often drag out for much longer.
If you need a divorce lawyer in the greater East Bay Area, including San Leandro, Oakland, Hayward, Union City, & Fremont, contact us today.
Bagner Law, PC opened in 2003 as Law Offices of Vonnah M. Bagner with offices in San Francisco and San Leandro, CA. In 2005, the entire practice was moved to San Leandro. 
2777 Alvarado Street, Suite E
San Leandro, CA 94577
Monday-Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm (PST)
Friday 8:30am - 2:00pm
Weekends and After-Hours by Appointment
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