Divorce

San Francisco Divorce Attorney

Divorce Attorneys Providing Strong Representation in San Francisco, California

Close up of a woman and a man sitting separately on a sofa, each touching the ring on their finger.The San Francisco divorce lawyers at Fenchel Family Law PC understand that family law matters are stressful and can turn your life upside down, which is why we dedicate ourselves to helping our clients navigate these complex legal matters during their time of need. Our knowledgeable San Francisco divorce attorneys possess an in-depth understanding of family law in California, and we are able to provide a level of commitment and personal attention that is unmatched by other law firms.

If you’re facing a divorce and have questions about child support arrangements, property division, modifications, or other related issues, our attorneys wield the legal skills that you need. Contact the professionals at Fenchel Family Law PC today to learn more about how our skilled attorneys can help.

To speak with an experienced San Francisco divorce lawyer, give us a call at (415) 805-9069 or contact us online today.

How Do I Get A Divorce In San Francisco?

‘If you decide to begin divorce proceedings in San Francisco, you will need to fill out a Petition. This petition for divorce gives family court some basic knowledge about your marriage and requests for orders you want the court to make regarding your property and children.

The San Francisco Divorce Process

If you decide to begin divorce proceedings in San Francisco, you (acting as the “petitioner”) need to fill out the following forms and file them with your local family law court:

  • FL-100, Petition for Divorce. This Petition gives the court basic information about your marriage. It also allows you to propose arrangements for property division, alimony, child custody, child support, and other divorce-related processes. Form FL-160, a Property Declaration form, may be used to specify your desires for the property division process if there isn’t enough room on the initial form.
  • FL-110, Summons. This form contains information about the divorce process and prohibits your spouse from taking certain actions, such as moving out of state with any children you share.
  • FL-105/GC-120, Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), and Form FL-311, Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment. If you share children under the age of 18 with your spouse, you’ll need to fill out these forms to acknowledge various regulations concerning child custody and support, as well as your desired child custody and support arrangements.

Working with an experienced family law and San Francisco divorce lawyer to ensure you fill out the forms correctly and propose reasonable arrangements is highly advised. After making copies of the forms, you can file them with the court clerk at your local court, initiating the divorce process.

After filing for divorce, you must serve your spouse (the “respondent”) with a notice of the Petition for Divorce. A third-party individual over the age of 18, such as a county sheriff or process server, must serve the respondent on your behalf. The server will fill out a Proof of Service of Summons Form FL-115 or (as well as a Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt – Family Law Form FL-117 if you served the respondent by mail) to you. You must provide the court with these forms to verify the respondent is aware of the divorce filing.

After being served, the respondent has 30 days to respond to the Petition for Divorce. How the process proceeds from here largely depends on whether you’re filing for a contested or uncontested divorce.

Contested Versus Uncontested Divorce in California

If you and your partner agree on terms for all divorce-related processes such as property division, child support and custody, and alimony, you can file for an uncontested divorce.

If you disagree on any aspect of the divorce, you must file for a contested divorce.

  • As part of filing for an uncontested divorce in California, you must draft an agreement with your spouse which both parties sign detailing the terms of the divorce. The petitioner can present this to the court. If the respondent does not respond to the Petition or waives their right to respond, the court can then sign and finalize the agreement, issuing a Decree of Divorce that enables the parties to dissolve their marriage using the terms they negotiated.
  • If you file for a contested divorce in California, the process is typically much more complex and takes more time to resolve. The parties may try and use a form of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or collaborative law, to resolve their differences, draft an agreement, and move forward with an uncontested divorce.

Alternatively, they may proceed with a contested divorce and take the case to court. If this happens, the respondent will file a Response with the court detailing their own proposed terms for the divorce.

At this stage, the court may issue temporary orders to determine how the parties should handle processes such as child support or property division while the divorce is ongoing. After both parties attend a trial and the court evaluates their cases, the court will draft a Decree of Divorce that the judge presiding over the case determines is equitable for both parties, finalizing their divorce.

Whether you want to file for a contested or uncontested divorce in San Francisco, having an attorney by your side who understands the divorce process in California and can help you defend your rights is crucial.

Call us at (415) 805-9069 or contact us online to schedule your consultation with our San Francisco divorce attorneys.

Rely On Our Reputable San Francisco Divorce Attorneys

Divorce proceedings, matters involving child custody, and any conflicts dealing with family law can be emotionally devastating. These are the types of issues that need to be addressed with a careful, deliberate approach. Our attorneys approach each and every case with compassion and carefully tailor our legal strategies to ensure that your interests, as well as those of your loved ones, are always protected. We understand that these matters directly affect your real life.

At Fenchel Family Law PC, our seasoned San Francisco divorce attorneys are well-versed in a wide range of divorce and family law matters.

We are equipped to handle issues such as, but not limited to:

Contact Our San Francisco Divorce Lawyers Today

At Fenchel Family Law PC, we value the well-being and continued care of your family and loved ones above all else. Our team of proven attorneys takes pride in our ability to provide personalized, effective legal counsel, and we can help you navigate any family law matter you might be facing in California.

Call Fenchel Family Law PC today at (415) 805-9069or contact us online for assistance from a qualified San Francisco divorce attorney.

 

Reasons to Choose

Fenchel Family Law PC
  • We Help You Take Your Life Back

    We empower our clients to take their lives back as they navigate parenthood marriage, & divorce toward more vibrant futures.

  • Personalized Attention

    No case is the same. We take the time to listen to our clients and really understand their goals and the future they are trying build.

  • Holistic Approach

    Divorce can impact many areas of your life; therefore, we help our clients identify potential snares and give them the tools they need.

  • Honest & Straightforward

    We pride ourselves on being a trusted advisor. If we feel pursuing something could negatively impact your case, it's our job to let you know.

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Client Testimonials

What Our Clients Are Saying
  • “I worked with Robert Travis who is incredible! He is a joy to work with, super knowledgeable, highly skilled, and efficient. Family law issues can be emotionally difficult, and he helped to make it as ...”

    - Julian C.
  • “I contacted Fenchel Family Law PC after my ex-wife, in an attempt to make her own life more convenient, suddenly served me with a TRO and move-away request to take our daughter out of state. ...”

    - John
  • “Those who've experienced a contentious divorce are familiar with the range and intensity of emotions and the challenges of litigation. Repeatedly targeted by an angry ex whose legal bills are paid by ...”

    - Matan
  • “Valerie did all the right things during my divorce process. She understands all aspects of a divorce and treats them in a holistic fashion. Smart and passionate but not pushy.”

    - Paul
  • “This review is long over due but better late than never. During my consultation, I immediately knew that I wanted to hire Valerie Fenchel to handle my divorce case. Not only is she extremely ...”

    - Liane
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