Santa Maria Divorce Lawyer
Divorce Attorneys With 25+ Years of Experience
Choosing to file for divorce is no easy decision, regardless of your reasons for doing so. Ending a marriage can lead to even more complex and difficult decisions when children and sizable assets are involved. This is why seeking legal representation from a skilled Santa Maria divorce lawyer is so important.
At the Law Offices of R. Morgan Holland, L.C., our family law attorney has helped thousands of clients resolve their divorce issues for over 30 years. We can be the calming and reliable voice of reason you need to get through this.
Take a look at what some of our past clients have to say about our divorce services. Start a consultation today -- contact us online or call (805) 762-4465. Our divorce lawyers serve clients in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo.
How Can Our Santa Maria Divorce Attorneys Help You?
When guiding our clients through divorce proceedings, our ultimate goal is to help them make smart and informed decisions for themselves and their families. We strive to deliver customized strategies that are aligned with their goals and specific circumstances.
Our Santa Maria divorce lawyers can assist you with the following divorce-related matters:
- Child support
- Child custody
- Child visitation
- Paternity
- Restraining orders
- Property and asset division
- Spousal support
Some divorces can become quite contentious, especially when one or both parties become uncooperative. Should this occur in your case, you can be sure that we will relentlessly protect your rights and interests, inside and outside of court. We will personally see that your petition is filed in an appropriate and timely manner.
If you are not ready for divorce, consider a legal separation. We can walk you through every step.
Types of Divorce Situations
Whether your divorce or dissolution is agreed to, or if you and your spouse are not agreeing, we can assist you with your matter. We offer a thorough initial case evaluation for up to 30 minutes to assist you in understanding your rights at the outset so that you can decide what kind of situation you are in, and we can help you decide the most cost-effective path for your case.
During this case evaluation, we can also explain how the local processes work at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, including typical timelines, required forms, and what to expect at each stage of the process. Having a clear roadmap from the beginning can reduce stress and allow you to prepare for hearings, mediation sessions, or financial disclosures with confidence.
Agreed to Divorce - Uncontested
You may have a low-conflict divorce where you both understand what needs to be done and you come to complete agreement on the issues of the division of your property and debt, custody and visitation of your children, and how much support will be paid. When both parties are willing to participate in signing the necessary documents, we will handle all of the paperwork with the court so that you do not need to.
In the end, you will have a professionally drafted agreement that has the benefit of our years of experience behind it that will become the judgment of dissolution issued by the court. It will be complete with all of the necessary and appropriate language so that you can rely upon it in the future to mean what you intended it to mean if a disagreement ever arises in the future. After all, the last thing you want is to find out that what you wrote up does not mean what you thought it meant.
In most cases, you have your matter completed within 30 days after you both have signed the necessary paperwork.
Even in an uncontested matter, working with a divorce attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes, such as overlooking retirement accounts, tax consequences, or details about parenting time that could create conflict later. By having us prepare and review the documents, you can be more confident that the agreement submitted to the court reflects your intentions and complies with California family law requirements.
(Mediation) Mediated Divorce
This is appropriate when you and your spouse have been able to maintain a good working relationship, but one or both of you are unsure what kind of outcome is appropriate for your situation. Perhaps you need help understanding your property rights and how things should be divided. Perhaps the two of you need guidance on how much support should be granted in your situation.
Our services can help you save the cost of paying two attorneys to negotiate a settlement in your case. It boils down to the question of whether both parties can sit down together with the attorney as a neutral and unbiased mediator and receive a frank and realistic evaluation. If that is your situation, this may be the right alternative for you.
In mediation, we can help you identify the issues that must be addressed for the court to approve your agreement, such as parenting plans, division of community property, and responsibility for debts. We guide you through productive discussions so that you stay focused on solutions instead of past conflicts, which can be especially helpful for families living and working in the close-knit communities of Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo County.
Understanding California Divorce Requirements
Before filing, it is helpful to understand the basic California requirements that apply to every divorce. California is a no-fault state, which means that most cases proceed on the ground of irreconcilable differences rather than blaming either spouse for misconduct. There are also residency rules that must be met, including living in California for a set period and within the county where you plan to file, such as Santa Barbara County for many Santa Maria residents.
In addition to residency, there are important rules about how community and separate property are defined and divided under California law. Community property typically includes income and assets acquired during the marriage, while separate property usually consists of what you owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance. Understanding this framework early can help you and your divorce attorney prepare financial information and documentation that will be needed for disclosure and negotiation.
Parents should also be aware that California courts focus on the best interests of the child when making custody and visitation orders. Judges at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court will consider factors such as the child’s health, safety, and welfare, and each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment. Knowing these priorities from the outset can guide the way you and your spouse approach parenting plans, temporary schedules, and communication about your children throughout the divorce process.
For personalized legal attention through your divorce, please do not hesitate to speak with our San Luis Obispo firm as soon as possible.
A Judge's Decision - Contested Divorce
In real life, there are times where two people just do not agree. There are also those cases where they do not communicate. In other cases, you may have an emergency or urgent matter that the court needs to handle right away. This could be child custody and/or protection, or a restraining order. It may be the need to start receiving or paying support. Finally, your spouse may be selling or hiding, giving away, and concealing your assets.
We are here to walk you through the necessary steps of getting the results that you need. We will work with the other party, their lawyer, or the Court so that you do not have to. We are knowledgeable about California's marital and divorce law and are familiar with the judges and court systems in this area. You will be able to take advantage of our decades of experience and insight.
We will represent you in and out of the courtroom to minimize discomfort associated with the legal aspects of your divorce. We will provide you sound and informed advice at each step that you can rely upon.
Contested cases can involve multiple hearings, formal discovery, and sometimes requests for temporary orders, so having a Santa Maria Divorce Lawyer by your side can help you respond quickly and effectively. We can prepare you for appearances at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, gather and present evidence, and communicate with the court and opposing counsel on your behalf so that you can focus on your family and day-to-day responsibilities.
We can accurately assess and evaluate your legal matter and provide you with solutions.
Call the Law Offices of R. Morgan Holland, L.C. - Free Case Review!
Our family law firm proudly offers 30-minute in-person case evaluations—at no charge—to all clients, so they can have a better understanding of what to expect in the journey ahead. This consultation includes an approximate timeframe and cost estimates.
During your free consultation, we can answer questions about how long your divorce might take in Santa Maria, what documents you will need to gather, and how California community property rules may apply to your situation. This is also a chance for you to learn how we work, discuss whether uncontested, mediated, or contested procedures are most appropriate, and decide whether you feel comfortable moving forward with our team.
For personalized legal attention through your divorce, please do not hesitate to speak with our San Luis Obispo firm as soon as possible.
Further Reading...
“It's thanks to Mr. Holland that I have my grandson now, and I am deeply grateful.”
- Nina L.