Separation Law
Legal Separation Attorneys in Murrieta
Are you thinking about separating from your spouse? Would you like to live separately from your spouse and have a "trial divorce"? If so, you should take the time to speak with a Murrieta separation attorney from our firm.
At Singleton Smith Law Offices, we work with clients who are considering legal separation as an alternative to immediate divorce. We help spouses draft separation agreements and get these agreements approved by the California family courts. Once spouses have lived separately and have had sufficient time to decide upon the status of their marriages, we provide assistance for those who choose to pursue divorce and aim to make sure that family legal matters are dealt with promptly.
What Happens After Legal Separation?
Once spouses have obtained a judgment of legal separation, their marriage is not terminated like a divorce. Instead, separation is meant to serve as an alternative to divorce and may be appropriate for spouses who wish to reconcile their marriages over time or who want to see what living independently is like before proceeding with divorce.
People who have decided to separate instead of divorce will be able to:
- Keep their marital status and marital benefits.
- Keep military benefits if one spouse is in the service and keep insurance coverage.
- Keep social security benefits.
- Covert their separation agreements into divorce agreements.
Most importantly, spouses will have the opportunity to learn if divorce is what they want. Sometimes, living separately enables spouses to make this difficult decision because it provides them with the experiences they need to make up their minds.
If you are thinking about filing for legal separation in California and you would like legal help, contact a Murrieta separation lawyer from the office today!