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Do We Need Two Attorneys for Our Divorce?

Donald Schweitzer — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

If you're interested in a Pasadena divorce, you might be wondering if you are required to hire legal representation. On television, you often see divorce lawyers arguing in the courtroom and hear stories about couples accumulating thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you have no hard feelings towards your spouse and few assets, you might be thinking you can just skip the attorney and handle things on your own. Unfortunately, this is rarely a smart decision.

First, you must recognize that filing for divorce has implications that can affect your life for many years to come. If you're younger and have children at home, you will need to figure out how to care for them as a single parent. If you're older, divorce can affect the date in which you are able to retire. Regardless of your age, filing for divorce will have implications on your income tax return due to the change in your marital status and household income. Having professional legal representation makes sure that you've given adequate thought to all of these considerations.

It is also important to keep in mind that you can't just hire one attorney to represent both spouses when you are filing for divorce. Even if you and your ex are on good terms, you are technically adversaries in the divorce settlement. Your interests will conflict at some point and it is not ethical for the same person to provide legal advice to both of you. When you each have your own advocate, you can be assured that your individual interests are being protected.

Aspiring to have a "good" divorce and remain on friendly terms with your ex is a noble goal, but one which should not be accomplished by skipping legal representation. People may marry for love, but divorce is a practical and rational matter. Think of the decision to seek legal representation as a sound investment in your future. Hiring an experienced Pasadena divorce attorney to handle your case is the best way to put your past behind you and move forward with the next chapter of your life.

Debunking Alimony Myths

Donald Schweitzer — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

For couples planning to file for a Pasadena divorce, alimony is one of the most often misunderstood issues.

First, realize that alimony has nothing to do with gender. Traditionally, women received alimony awards in a divorce. However, that is only because they were the ones most likely to be taking time out of the labor force to care for young children. Today, however, it is perfectly possible for a man to receive alimony if his ex-wife has a high earning occupation.

Child support is often confused with alimony by many people seeking a divorce. You do not need to have children with your spouse in order to receive alimony payments. Child support payments are for the care of the children, while alimony is for spousal support. It is possible to receive both child support and alimony, depending on your circumstances.

Another common misconception about alimony is that it can be awarded retroactively. Alimony has to be awarded at the time of your divorce settlement. You can't file for a Pasadena divorce and then request alimony a year or two after your divorce is finalized. For this reason, you must consider your ability to support yourself very carefully before accepting any sort of divorce settlement.

Finally, remember that dating may affect your ability to receive alimony. In many cases, a relationship that involves cohabitation will reduce or eliminate your alimony payments. This is because you are living with someone who can assist you with your monthly bills and thus will have less of a need for support from your ex.

Alimony awards are much less common than they used to be due to the high number of marriages that involve dual income households with each person being capable of supporting themselves independently. If you anticipate a need for alimony in your Pasadena divorce, it is crucial that you select an attorney with experience in this area of divorce law.

Bachelor Host Separates from Wife of 18 Years

Donald Schweitzer — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Divorce attorneys in Pasadena who watch ABC's The Bachelor and The Bachelorette do so with a cynical eye. These shows are pure entertainment; rarely do the couples that meet on television actually stay together. The host of the hit franchise, Chris Harrison, is often seen as the voice of reason among the crazy singles and is a well-known family man with a long-term marriage. But now Harrison is a bachelor himself. Harrison and wife Gwen announced last week they are separating after 18 years of marriage.

Gwen and Chris Harrison met at Oklahoma City University over 20 years ago. The pair has two children: daughter Taylor, 7, and son Joshua, 9.

"Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain, and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children," the Harrisons told Us Magazine in a joint statement.

A rep adds: "They happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and mutual admiration for each other."

The Harrisons' relationship fell under scrutiny back in February 2010 when Bachelor contestant Rozlyn Papa accused Harrison of making advances on a producer's wife while taping the show in New Zealand. "I won't even dignify that with a response," Harrison said during The Bachelor: The Women Tell All special.

Chris Harrison has been the host of The Bachelor since it debuted in 2001. Through 16 seasons of The Bachelor and seven seasons of The Bachelorette, only four couples have stayed together. Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter, Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney, Ashley Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum, and Ben Flajnik and Courtney Robertson, respectively, are the quartet who has survived the "reality TV curse."

Recently, Harrison told CNN he would be a bad choice for the Bachelor.

"Getting out of a 22-year relationship, having just announced my divorce to the world a week ago, having two kids and trying to start a new life, I'm thinking I wouldn't exactly be a great candidate to be the bachelor right now or anytime soon," he said.

Still, Harrison says he still believes in true love and the goal of the show.

"I still, and maybe more than ever, believe in the search and what everybody is doing on the show because I've been there and I lived that life," he said. "I've loved deeply with [my] whole heart and know how great it can be. I will hopefully fall in love and find that again."

Having a Child-Focused Divorce

Donald Schweitzer — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

If you're thinking of filing for a Pasadena divorce and have children with your soon-to-be ex, you may have heard people talking about the "child-focused divorce" and wondered what exactly this term means.

A child-focused divorce is not a legal term. Rather, this is a parenting philosophy that both spouses have mutually agreed upon. It means that they will do their best to put aside their differences and work together to minimize the effect the divorce has on their child's life.

Although some of the research regarding the effect of divorce on kids can be disturbing to read, the child-focused divorce trend is usually the result of personal experience. Many parents who advocate a child-focused divorce watched their own parents go through a bitter and messy divorce when they were younger. They remember feeling torn between their mother and father or being resentful of the sacrifices they were expected to make after the divorce. In many cases, they still do not have good relationships with their parents due to the divorce. By keeping the needs of their own children at the front of the divorce negotiation process, they hope to be able to preserve some form of family unity for the future.

A "bird's nest" custody arrangement in which the children remain in the family home and the parents take turns moving in and out of the home is one example of a child-focused divorce approach. Having both parents attend school functions together with the child is another example of the child-focused approach to parenting after a divorce. In a child-focused divorce, the children's lives continue much like they would have if their parents had remained married.

The child-focused divorce takes a lot of communication between the parents. It is an admirable goal, but one that might not be attainable in all circumstances. For example, a child-focused divorce becomes more complicated once one of the parents decides to remarry. However, having your Pasadena divorce lawyer make sure that all of the specifics of your child support and child custody arrangements are properly documented can go a long way towards making the child-focused divorce attainable for your family.

Deion Sanders Granted Temporary Custody of Children

Donald Schweitzer — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

More often than not, child custody can be one of the most difficult agreements during the Pasadena divorce process. For some battling couples, often times it takes a judge to step in and make a temporary custody ruling for the safety of the children involved. Texas State District Judge Ray Wheless did just that this week as he granted NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders temporary custody after a physical altercation with his ex-wife Pilar. Wheless also ordered Pilar to stay at least 500 yards away from the former football star's Dallas home.

On April 23, 2012, Deion Sanders shocked Twitter followers when he tweeted that his ex-wife had attacked him outside their $5.7 million home in Prospect, Texas. He also posted a photo of his children filing out a police report. Police and other witnesses backed up Sanders' tweet in court last week. Judge Wheless ruled that the injuries to Pilar Sanders were a result of Deion Sanders defending himself from her assault. Wheless "gave the Hall of Famer temporary custody of the former couple's children pending a full custody hearing, and ordered that the children undergo psychological counseling," according to the Huffington Post.

Pilar Sanders has been ordered to stay away from Deion Sanders, their children and the Prospect estate. Since Deion Sanders experienced no pain, Judge Wheless ruled it was a simple assault. Responding Police Officer John Gardner testified last week Pilar Sanders showed no signs of injury when they arrived on the scene. Gardner also recounted what Deion Sanders and told him the night of the altercation, including that Pilar and a friend both started hitting him at one point during the attack. After the ruling, Deion Sanders again returned to Twitter on Monday night, saying, "GOD IS SO GOOD! DON'T EVER DOUBT HIM NO MATTER HOW YOUR SITUATION LOOKS. TRUST HIM PLEASE. HE IS SO FAITHFUL."

The remaining decisions in the Sanders divorce case are expected to be made in the upcoming weeks.

Should I Change My Name After a Divorce?

Donald Schweitzer — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

For women who file for divorce in Pasadena, deciding whether or not to change their last name after the divorce is finalized can be a tricky decision. While many women gladly accepted their husband's surname when they were married, it's common for them to have mixed feelings about the post-divorce name change option.

The biggest advantage of changing your name after a divorce is giving yourself a mental "fresh start" on a new chapter of your life. However, some women do not wish to go back to their maiden name due to strained relations with their family members. In this case, picking an entirely different last name might be an option to consider.

If you have children with your ex, keeping the same surname makes it easier for outsiders to identify you as a family. Obviously, people who are close to you will know that you have gotten a divorce. However, people who are just meeting you and your children for the first time are likely to assume that you have the same surname. Explaining the situation is a minor annoyance in most cases, but it can be problematic in emergencies. For example, healthcare workers are often reluctant to release information about a child to a parent who does not have the same surname for fear of accidentally violating patient privacy laws. It is possible to have your children's last names changed or hyphenated after a divorce, but this presents its own set of complications to deal with.

If you were married for a long time, your married name might be the basis of your professional reputation. For example, a published journalist might want to keep her married name because all of her professional writing samples are under this byline. Changing her name would leave her in the position of having to explain her marital status to a potential employer, which opens the way for possible discrimination. A doctor might want to keep the same name if she relies on positive word-of-mouth advertising to attract new patients.

Regardless of what you decide to do, your Pasadena divorce attorney can provide assistance in making sure all of the proper legal paperwork has been filed to address this aspect of your divorce settlement.

Post-Divorce Notifications You Should Make

Donald Schweitzer — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

When you decide to file for divorce in Pasadena, your friends and family are usually the first ones you inform of your decision. But, there are actually several other people who you will need to notify of your divorce once all of the paperwork has been completed.

If you haven't already done so, your employer will need to be notified that your divorce is final. Divorce can affect a number of employer-provided benefits, including your health insurance and retirement. If you will be paying child support, you might be required to set up automatic withholding of the payments from your paycheck.

If you are a woman and are going back to your maiden name after your divorce, you'll need to obtain a new driver's license and a Social Security card. These are important forms of identification, so this must be completed as soon as possible.

Don't overlook the importance of writing a new will. If you have life insurance, you will want to re-examine your coverage needs and the beneficiaries listed on your policy. If you have children with your former spouse, you may also need to change the provisions you've made for their care in the event that something should happen to you. Sometimes, however, there are specific support requirements regarding life insurance that are outlined in the terms of the divorce settlement.

If you have not already done so, you will need to apply for credit in your own name. If you have joint accounts with your spouse, these will either need to be closed or one person's name will need to be removed from the account. This applies to checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit card accounts.

Depending on your current living arrangements, there may be lease or mortgage paperwork that needs to be updated after your divorce.

Even if you're not the one leaving the marital home, the "change of address" information packet from your local post office can provide useful checklists and contact info for some of the various parties who might need to be notified of your Pasadena divorce.

Dividing Household Goods during a Divorce

Donald Schweitzer — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Big issues like who gets the house and who gets custody of the children tend to attract the most attention during a Pasadena divorce settlement. But, there are also several other smaller disputes that must be settled as you are legally ending your marriage. For example, you must decide who will keep the items in your jointly shared living quarters.

Obviously, property that each spouse purchased before the marriage should remain with that person. Inherited items have a clear "owner" as well. These are easily divided, but items that were joint purchases or those with a specific sentimental value don't have a clear-cut procedure for deciding who gets what.

Generally, divorce attorneys agree that the best way to divide household goods and property is to simply accept that you are not going to get all of the items you want. Divorce, like marriage, is about compromise. If it's important to you to have the TV, you're probably not going to convince your spouse to give up the leather couch as well. Set your priorities early on and keep them in mind throughout your negotiations.

If your household goods include handmade items, antiques, or collectibles, it may be necessary to obtain some sort of third-party appraisal to accurately assess their value. Enlisting the services of an accredited appraiser is ideal, but an experienced second hand store owner may be able to offer a fair assessment of an item's value as well. Then, you can offer to provide cash reimbursement for the item to your spouse if it is something you really want to keep after the divorce.

In the case of children's items, the parent who will have primary custody of the children normally keeps the larger items, such as furniture for the bedrooms. Toys and clothing can be divided between the homes equally or the children can pack a suitcase with their favorite things to bring back and forth between visits, depending upon their age and your personal preferences.

Judges and mediators generally do not want to be involved in the division of household goods. These services are reserved for the key components of a divorce settlement. You and your spouse are supposed to figure out the smaller details amongst yourselves, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Then, your Pasadena divorce lawyer can provide you with advice as to the most effective way of handling the situation.

Understanding the Bird's Nest Custody Arrangement

Donald Schweitzer — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

If you have children with your former spouse, one of the hardest things you must decide when you file for divorce in Pasadena is your child custody arrangement. The bird's nest custody arrangement is a new idea in divorce proceedings that is gathering a lot of attention, but it's not right for every circumstance.

In a bird's nest custody arrangement, the children stay in the family home while the parents take turns moving in and out of the "nest" as needed. Logically, the bird's nest custody arrangement makes sense if you and your spouse will be sharing joint custody of the children. A 50/50 custody arrangement lets kids maintain a strong relationship with both parents, but it requires a lot of moving back and forth on the part of the children. The bird's nest arrangement lets the children stay put and places the burden of moving on the parents because they are better able to handle the stress. If your custody arrangement will only involve the children visiting one parent during the summer or on holidays, however, the bird's nest arrangement wouldn't be appropriate.

Obviously, a bird's nest arrangement is going to be best for couples who are still on good terms. If you had a messy divorce complicated by issues like infidelity and substance abuse, the bird's nest arrangement might not be practical. To be effective, it requires a lot of communication and mutual arrangement as to the best parenting style for the children.

From a financial perspective, a bird's nest custody arrangement is one of the more expensive options. In most cases, you'll be maintaining three separate households -- a residence for the children, a residence for mom, and a residence for dad. Not all families are in a position to be able to afford this type of arrangement.

If you decide you want to pursue a bird's nest custody arrangement in your Pasadena divorce, your attorney can assist in making sure the specifics are spelled out in your divorce settlement. Getting everything in writing as soon as possible will make sure that the interests of all parties are protected in this non-traditional arrangement.

Divorce and the Stages of Grief

Donald Schweitzer — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

When actress Jennie Garth, the former star of 90210, confirmed her divorce from Twilight actor Peter Facinelli, she compared the loss to the personal trauma of losing her father after a long battle with heart disease. Garth may be a celebrity, but her experience is not uncommon. Many couples considering a Pasadena divorce feel that the grieving process when getting a divorce is much like the process one goes through after losing a loved one.

Psychologists often talk about the five stages of grief when discussing how a person copes with an emotional trauma. These stages were first written about in Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's 1969 book On Death and Dying. According to Kübler-Ross, the five stages of grief are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. She believes that all people experience these stages to some extent when suffering from a trauma. The stages do not necessarily happen in order, however.

People who are going through a divorce can experience the stages of grief even if they are the one who initiated the divorce. Realizing that your marriage is not going to work out is a traumatic event. It is perfectly natural to want to file for divorce, but to still have strong feelings about your relationship with your spouse. Talking to a counselor can help you better cope with the emotions surrounding your divorce, especially if your decision to file for divorce is related to your spouse's infidelity or issues caused by a substance abuse problem.

If you have children with your spouse, remember that the five stages of grief are not just for adults. To some extent, children will experience each of the five stages of grief as well. Be open with your child about what is happening and watch for any drastic changes in mood or behavior that might indicate the need for professional counseling services.

A Pasadena divorce attorney isn't going to be qualified to discuss the emotional aspects of your divorce, but having a strong legal advocate on your side can help you make sure you get a settlement that is most favorable to moving on with your life. Acceptance is the final stage in the divorce grieving process.

How Not To Choose a Divorce Attorney

Donald Schweitzer — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

When contemplating a Pasadena divorce, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing your legal representation. If you've never had a need for legal services in the past, selecting a lawyer can be scary. To increase your odds of making the right decision, there are a few common mistakes you should avoid.

The biggest mistake you can make is to choose your divorce attorney based on the appearance of his or her office. Remember that looking successful is not the same thing as being successful! Anyone can hire an interior decorator or rent office space in a fancy building. This means nothing in regards to a lawyer's qualifications. Don't let yourself be fooled by fancy window dressings.

Personal recommendations can be a good way to find a qualified divorce attorney, but you shouldn't base your choice of legal representation on one person's viewpoint alone. The best lawyer for your sister or coworker's divorce may not be the right attorney to handle your case. Every divorce involves different issues, so you need to choose someone who can advocate for your specific needs.

What about price? For many of us, price matters. If you're on a tight budget, you might be tempted to just choose the cheapest legal representation and hope for the best. This is a terrible idea! Your divorce lawyer will be helping to make decisions that will affect your life for many years to come, especially if your divorce settlement will involve issues surrounding child support and/or alimony. Many lawyers are willing to work with you on developing a payment plan if you ask.

In the end, the right Pasadena divorce lawyer is the one with the experience needed to advocate on your behalf. A good lawyer will make you feel comfortable, clearly explain all of your options, and help you get the best possible divorce settlement so you can move forward with your life.

From 90210 to Down on the Farm: Jennie Garth's Life After Divorce

Donald Schweitzer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Pasadena family attorneys often see their clients make big changes in their lives after a divorce. Moving, pursuing a new career or getting a makeover are common ways the recently divorced choose to mix it up after breaking up. But for actress Jennie Garth, healing after her divorce from actor Peter Facinelli meant moving to a farm filled with animals - with a reality TV camera in tow, of course.

CMT's Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country chronicles the life of the Hollywood actress now that she's divorced and living on a farm with her three daughters and slew of animals including four dogs, two goats, five cats, two miniature horses and a pig.

"Having all these animals fills a void for me because I'm kind of going through a rough time right now," she said on the premiere of her new show. "The animals give you unconditional love, and that feels good."

Facinelli filed for divorce on March 29, 2012 after months of speculation.

"[Peter]'s doing his thing and I'm doing mine," she said. "I chose to come up here and be with the quieter lifestyle, and that's why I'm here. Getting separated has definitely been difficult, but being out here in the country has sort of made things a little easier."

Garth was open about how she didn't want to get divorced - even telling People magazine, "I tried everything I could to save our marriage. I was very resistant. I didn't want it to happen." Nevertheless, now that the pair has officially broken up, Garth finds solace in her new down-on-the-farm lifestyle. And she credits her furry friends.

"I think that my animals give me a sense of like relief, like they make me feel like none of that other bull- matters," Garth told her assistant Corinne on a recent episode. "When you look into their eyes, and they look back at you, and they don't want anything, they just want love. Whether I'm successful or not successful, whether I'm fat or thin, if I'm nice or if I'm not nice, they still love me."

Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country airs Wednesdays on CMT.

Martin Lawrence, Wife Divorcing

Donald Schweitzer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:30:00 GMT

It's not unusual for couples divorcing in Pasadena to have dated for a long time before they got married. Many relationship experts actually joke that "nothing ruins a long-term relationship faster than marriage." But for Martin Lawrence, this is no joke. The comedian and actor recently announced he was divorcing Shamicka Lawrence, his wife of two years. The pair was together for 15 years before tying the knot in 2010.

Last Tuesday, a rep for the pair announced the couple would be getting divorced after "the joint decision to part ways."

"Out of love and respect for one another, we will continue to remain friends and raise our two beautiful daughters together," the Lawrences said in a statement. In addition to their Beverly Hills home, the family owns a farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Currently, no details have been released regarding the details of the custody arrangement, asset division or financial support.

Funnyman Martin Lawrence is no stranger to the tabloids. From his bizarre behavior which landed him in a hospital in 1996 to several incidents involving illegal firearms, Lawrence used to have a hard time staying out of trouble. Yet when Shamicka Gibbs came into his life, things started to turn around for the star. Lawrence and Gibbs were together for fifteen years and in that time they had two daughters together, Amara in 2001 and Iyana in 2003. Lawrence made a slew of family-friendly films during those years, like Wild Hogs and College Road Trip. Lawrence and Gibbs finally got married in 2010 at their Beverly Hills home. Denzel Washington and Eddie Murphy were among the 120 guest in attendance.

He was previously married to Patricia Southhall with whom he has a daughter. Lawrence recently wrapped up a nationwide stand-up tour and filmed a comedy pilot for CBS.

CHILD SUPPORT: I want my money!!! (With or Without the Kid)

Donald Schweitzer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:14:00 GMT

By: Patrick Baghdaserians, Esq.

On April 25, 2012, I appeared in Court for my client's Order to Show Cause ("OSC") regarding modification of child support. The OSC was filed in the fall of the 2011 and sought to suspend payment of child support. Sounds cruel? Don't judge before you know all of the facts!

Around November 2011, the minor child was removed from the household by LA County. During this time, the child was diagnosed with serious mental health issues.

In January 2012, after lengthy negotiations, the dependency Court entered an order providing legal custody to LA County. The order mirrored a stipulation signed by the parties and their respective counsel. The placement was long term and no termination date was provided.

During this time, my client kept paying nearly $2500.00 in child support to the other parent. The OSC trailed for several months.

On April 25^th, nearly 7 months after my client's OSC was filed, the parties finally appeared in Court. The other parent was adamant about maintaining prospective child support. To a certain degree, I was surprised by her position. Her testimony admitted to the facts listed above but yet she maintained her position. After nearly a 2 hour evidentiary hearing regarding child support, the Court ruled in my client's favor and suspended support. The Court also provided retroactive relief, meaning the other parent will have to pay back the support she received while the child was in the custody of LA County.

Since the ruling, I have thought long and hard about this decision. I am still trying to grasp the rationale maintained by the other parent. Why should a parent receive child support when he or she doesn't have custody of the child? My thinking is as follows, child support is for the child! If you don't have the child (or physical responsibility), you don't get child support!

Now I am not advocating that you need to document each penny you spend on the child that would be ridiculous. What I am suggesting is that you should at least be responsible for providing for the care and welfare. Seems simple doesn't it? Fortunately, the Court agreed!

This should be a cautionary tale for those who try to abuse the child support statutes. Child support is not intended to pay for your botox injections or your Christian Louboutin pumps; it's intended to provide for the child!

(My legal argument relied on the following case law; Edwards vs. Edwards (2008) 162 CA4th 136; In re Marriage of Cryer, (2011) 198 Cal.App. 4 ^th 1039)

How to Prepare If You Think Your Spouse Is Planning to File for Divorce

Donald Schweitzer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Although some couples mutually reach the decision that it's time to file for a Pasadena divorce, it's more common for the filing to be done by just one party. If you suspect that your spouse might be planning to file for divorce, it's in your best interest to be prepared. Counseling sometimes helps save troubled marriages, but it only works if both spouses are equally committed.

It's a good idea to inventory your household possessions on a regular basis to prepare for fires, theft, or natural disasters. But an inventory is also smart in the event that your spouse files for divorce. Make sure all items of value are accounted for, with a special focus on family heirlooms and items normally stored in a safe deposit box or separate storage facility.

Most married couples have one person handle the finances each month to make sure all the bills are paid. This is efficient when the marriage is going well, but problematic when filing for divorce. If you don't normally handle the bill paying, you probably don't have a very good idea of your household income. Spend some time making copies of bank account statements, receipts, and other important financial documents. Pull copies of your personal credit report to check for errors or transactions you don't recognize. Your goal should be to obtain a clear picture of your current household income and expenses so that you can better negotiate a settlement that is in your best interests.

If you are not currently employed, start brushing up your résumé and reconnecting with contacts in your field of interest. It is possible to obtain temporary spousal support when filing for divorce, but this is unlikely to be enough to maintain your present standard of living. And, if you decide you will need to go back to school in order to obtain marketable skills, the enrollment paperwork will likely take several months to complete.

It is common for Pasadena divorce attorneys to offer a free initial consultation. If you suspect your spouse is considering a divorce, start researching your options for legal representation as soon as possible. The initial consultation can provide you with some general advice for how to protect yourself in the event that your spouse does file for divorce.