Family Law FAQs

In Palm Springs and throughout the Coachella Valley, the law firm of Schlecht, Shevlin & Shoenberger assists clients with an array of family law matters, including annulments, cohabitation agreements, dissolution of marriage, domestic partnerships, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.  The firm has a decades-long presence in Riverside County and is staffed with experienced, compassionate attorneys, among them a bar-certified Family Law Specialist.

Schlecht, Shevlin & Shoenberger provides the following answers to frequently asked questions as a resource for clients and others seeking general information about family law in California.  To learn more, visit the family law overview or contact the firm today.

How long does it take to get divorced?

Under California Family Code Section 2339, a divorce is not final until at least six months have passed since the date the petition and summons were served or the respondent appeared in court (whichever occurred first).  Thus, six months is the minimum amount of time it takes for a divorce to become final.  In some cases it may take longer than six months to resolve all the issues of divorce, such as property division and financial support.

How is property divided up in divorce?

In California, all "community property" is divided equally between spouses at divorce.  Community property is generally all property acquired by either spouse during the marriage, except property acquired by one spouse as a gift, bequest, or inheritance.  The spouses may also agree upon their own property division arrangement if they wish. 

How much spousal support is ordered after divorce?

A judge looks at several factors to determine whether spousal support (also known as "alimony") is appropriate in a given case.  The California family court aims for both spouses to ultimately be self-sufficient, and any support order typically lasts for a finite period of time.  Generally, spousal support is more likely to be ordered where one spouse has not worked during the marriage or where there is a significant income disparity between the spouses.  The amount ordered also depends on the standard of living during the marriage and the spouses' relative ability to pay.  Additionally, the length of the marriage is often taken into consideration. 

How much child support is ordered after divorce?

In California, a computer program known as DissoMaster™ uses statutory guidelines to determine the amount of child support that should be ordered in a given case.  The guidelines take numerous factors into account, such as the number of children, amount of income, and time-sharing arrangements.  An experienced family law attorney can review a client's case and estimate the amount of child support that is likely to be ordered.