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For those wanting a simple, no hassle divorce, summary dissolution is an option. It hinges on not having many assets, a low debt load and no request for spousal support.
Divorces are never fun to go through, and if there was a way to avoid the hassle, anxiety, stress and anger, most couples would jump at the chance. In California, there is a way to avoid the drama and get straight to the point. It’s called “Summary Dissolution”. If going to court is necessary because the parties can’t or don’t want to cooperate, then that option remains available.
“If you don’t really want to drag the kids and yourself through a messy, long drawn-out and nasty divorce, find out if summary dissolution is an option for you. This means you don’t even need to speak to a judge and will only have to fill out a minimal number of forms. Sure, it sounds easy, but there are exceptions, of course, and so it’s typically wise to seek the advice of a family lawyer so you know your rights and can get the explanation in plain English, rather than legal jargon. Our firm is noted for making legalese legal-easy to understand,” said Anthony J. Spotora, managing attorney of his Los Angeles law firm, which practices family law.
Not everyone is qualified to get a summary dissolution. “So, if you don’t qualify, you need to go the regular route to get a divorce. How do you know if you don’t qualify? I usually have a list of questions for the client that deal with living arrangements. For instance, I need to know if they have been married or living as registered domestic partners for less than five years. In addition, one of the requirements to qualify for summary dissolution is that the couple has no children – period,” Spotora said.
Another requirement that needs to be met when applying for a summary dissolution is that the parties do not own or have an interest in any property and if they have a debt load, they must have accrued less than $5,000 in debt since the marriage/partnership. They must also not own more than $33,000 worth of property bought together.
“It gets even more complex, in that you can’t own any separate property valued over $33,000, you have to agree that you will not seek support, and you have to sign a property agreement that splits what debts and property you do have. You can see why we advise divorcees to call us and get the full rundown on what they need to qualify for a summary dissolution. In some cases, they may not meet the qualifications and we’d need to go to court, but we won’t know that until we’ve spoken with them,” Spotora said.
When it comes to divorce and wanting to save time and money, it’s well worth talking to a highly qualified attorney, who will outline what options exist and how they may affect the proceedings. It’s better to have all the information needed to make an informed decision on how to proceed in the least stressful manner, particularly if children are involved.
To learn more, visit https://www.spotoralaw.com/.