Roz Bateman Smith, Attorney at Law

The state of California provides that once a Petition for Dissolution is served, the court may enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage (or legal separation), six months and one day from the date of service on the other spouse. Some people say, it's been a year now, why don't I have my divorce yet? There are a lot of answers to this question. It all depends on the level of animosity and ability for both parties to be fully honest with financial disclosures, There are so...me divorces that aren't final for years after the petition is served and filed. One party has left out a bank account or piece of property that the other knows about. This leads to further investigation by the attorney and issuing discovery requests. These requests normally take 30 days before any response is due. If there is a subpoena for records, those take 30-45 days for service and receiving the documents. Things move slowly. And no matter how fast you you and your attorney are about getting information to the other party, the other party may not be willing to move things along quite so quickly. Your attorney has no control over the other attorney except through the court. Being open and honest with disclosures, looking for custody or visitation agreements that work best for your children and you, providing sufficient support so your children and, possibly, former spouse can survive and dividing the marital or community property in a way. the is fair. and equitable to each of you, will get your case through the court the quickest. Of course, after your final documentation is submitted to the court for signing, it could take months to have them signed and sent back to you.

I am available for Zoom mediation services for family law cases in Sonoma County and surrounding areas.

I have decided to start-up this page again. You will begin seeing posts, including blogs, video, photos and general comments. Stay tuned.

I think this is excellent advice. https://rediscoveringu.com/parenting-after-divorce/

While division of community property, spousal support, and/or child support are extremely important issuesin a divorce, the issues that seem to have the greatest impact and reach are child custody and visitation issues. These issues reach far beyond the parties themselves and affect the children and extended family. One parent may, either unknowingly or intentionally, turn the children against the other parent and his/her family. The psychological price on the children is... astronomical, not to mention the cost of psychologists, therapists, and attorneys. These issues can also drag on for many months and years. Getting into coparent counseling can work wonders on these issues. Parents learn about treating the divorce in a business-like manner instead of an emotionally charged battle. There are many other things one can do to lessen the harm to the children. It's always better to try to work things out. If that is not possible, contact an attorney before too much time passes to work on the problem.

I am so proud of my daughter, Heather, for taking what was a very difficult time in her life and turning it into something positive. Beginning Monday, May 18, she is launching her Empowered Divorce Summit. She has spent a year preparing for this event - determining what her message would be, developing her web site, arranging speakers and interview questions, and now marketing her event. If you get a chance to listen to even one interview, I believe, you will be glad you took the time. There is still time to sign up at www.empowereddivorcesummit.com.