Encinitas Divorce Attorneys
Defending You Through Thick & Thin
Whether you're filing for a contested or uncontested divorce process, dissolving a marriage is often a difficult affair for all parties involved. Having an attorney you can trust by your side will enable you to pursue whatever outcome you desire with confidence.
At Griffith, Young & Lass, our Encinitas divorce attorneys are here to empower you throughout your divorce, helping you toward the best outcome for your future.
To schedule a consultation with our team for your divorce, contact us online or via phone at (858) 371-5569.
Different Divorce Processes in CA
To file for divorce in California, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for six months. Additionally, the spouse who files must have lived in the county where they file for divorce for at least three months.
As you navigate your divorce, you'll need to resolve the following divorce-related processes:
- Property division. California is a community property state, meaning that any marital property (generally defined as any property acquired post-marriage not meant exclusively for one party, such as an inheritance) will be split equally between the spouses. This also includes marital debts. As a result, many Californians find themselves taking on more marital debts or needing to give up more marital assets than they first expect.
- Alimony. There are two types of alimony in California - temporary alimony, which lasts while the divorce is ongoing, and permanent alimony, which remains in place post-divorce. The details of alimony arrangements can change depending on the circumstances of the divorce. Factors include the employability and assets of each spouse, their roles during the marriage, mental and physical health, how long it may take an alimony recipient to become financially independent, the standard of living established during the marriage, and more.
- Child custody. In California, courts typically default to the assumption that joint custody arrangements, in which a child sees and lives with both parents frequently, is ideal. To obtain a different kind of custody arrangement, one party may need to supply the court with evidence that their partner is an unfit caregiver, and therefore should not have equal legal and physical custody of the child.
- Child support. Like alimony, the amount of child support a payor must supply depends heavily on the circumstances of the case. Factors include whether the payor has other child support obligations, how much custody of the child the payor has, the fiscal, physical, and mental health of both parents, and the standard of living established during the marriage for the child.
How you work resolve these disputes depends on the approach you take to your divorce.
If you want to file for an uncontested divorce - which is generally less cost and time-intensive than a contested divorce - you must resolve any differences with your spouse before or during the divorce process. This involves drafting a divorce agreement both parties sign, detailing the terms of the divorce that they've agreed on. If a judge deems the agreement equitable, the agreement will be used to establish the terms of the divorce when the marriage is officially dissolved.
Many couples use forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation or collaborative law, to resolve their differences and engage in an uncontested divorce.
However, if you cannot reach an agreement with your spouse, you will need to file for a contested divorce instead. This involves dealing with the divorce process in court. The court may hold temporary order hearings to determine how the parties handle processes such as alimony or custody while the divorce is ongoing.
Eventually, the court will hold a trial. At trial, both parties have the opportunity to present evidence to the court. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning most marital misconduct will not be considered by the court when deciding an outcome for a divorce. However, certain behaviors, such as engaging in domestic violence against a spouse or child, could impact the outcome of the case.
After the trial, the judge presiding over the case will determine what would constitute an equitable outcome for both parties, and draft a divorce decree finalizing the divorce with those terms.
Whether you want a contested or uncontested divorce, our Encinitas divorce attorneys are here to help. If you wish to modify the terms of an already-existing court order, we can help you navigate that process as well.
To schedule a consultation with our team for your divorce and speak with an experienced Encinitas divorce lawyer, contact us online or via phone at (858) 371-5569 today.
Meet Our Team
Honest. Fearless. Bold.-
John N. Griffith, Esq., CFLS John N. Griffith, Esq., CFLS
Partner
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Catie E. Young, Esq., CFLS Catie E. Young, Esq., CFLS
Partner
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Amy J. Lass, Esq., CFLS Amy J. Lass, Esq., CFLS
Partner
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Shirin Asgari, Esq., CFLS Shirin Asgari, Esq., CFLS
Associate
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Noelle J. Slattery, Esq. Noelle J. Slattery, Esq.
Associate
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Eric Cowdery, Esq. Eric Cowdery, Esq.
Associate
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Joshua Yee, Esq. Joshua Yee, Esq.
Associate
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Shaudi Malekzadeh, Esq. Shaudi Malekzadeh, Esq.
Associate
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Lea Trojanowski, Esq. Lea Trojanowski, Esq.
Associate
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Greyson Sharp, Esq. Greyson Sharp, Esq.
Associate
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Brittany Van Ryder, Esq. Brittany Van Ryder, Esq.
Associate
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Karissa Piralla, Esq. Karissa Piralla, Esq.
Associate
Our Results Speak for Themselves
Over 100 5-Star Reviews Throughout Our Social Media Platforms
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The way John presented our case was pure genius with meticulous preparation and deliberate action in court.
“We were referred to John Griffith at GYL by our former attorney. I specifically was looking for an aggressive attorney that would yield results. John, Josh, and the firm performed flawlessly, and did ...”
- MoMo M. -
I would highly recommend Griffith, Young & Lass to anyone looking for ethical, honest, hard-working and skillful lawyers.
“I would highly recommend Griffith, Young & Lass to anyone looking for ethical, honest, hard-working and skillful lawyers (I would stress these are actually rare qualities within the legal industry and ...”
- Scott G. -
You cannot find a better law firm.
“I cannot say enough good things about John Griffith and this law firm. Each person i interacted with was responsive, intelligent, thoughtful and professional. Attorney Griffith worked very hard to ...”
- Michelle P. -
It was the best decision I’ve made yet and hopefully, it will be yours too.
“She doesn’t back down from anyone. It was the best decision I’ve made yet and hopefully, it will be yours too.”
- Ian R. -
Understanding, accessible, and I was very happy with the outcome of my case. If I could give a higher rating I would!
“Easy to work with, forthcoming about the process, set realistic expectations, and always kept cost in mind.”
- Jennifer P. -
All three lawyers worked together on the issues surrounding my case, which helped greatly when I was in need of answers or support.
“The GYL team is always prompt at returning calls & emails. From personal experience, I can tell you that they will not step away from your case until it's finished.”
- Kelsey L. -
I couldn’t have made it without them! I highly recommend them!
“GYL has been an extraordinary support and backing in my divorce. Being a male in the military, the process for divorce and custody is difficult. GYL was extremely helpful, and I was able to full custody of my children. That alone is such a monumental feat.”
- Frankie S. -
Worth every penny! My custody case went as stress-free as it could possibly be.
“I hate seeing anyone go through custody battles but if you’re in that situation and need someone who is trustworthy and great at what they do, then I swear this is the place to get the help!”
- Emily B. -
I highly recommend GYL if you are ever in need of a family law attorney.
“No matter who I corresponded with they were always knowledgeable of my case and quick to respond.”
- Kimberley F. -
Highly professional and supportive in a very uncertain time in my life.
“My clearance was granted without any additional issues. I'd recommend this legal team to any Soldier needing help with their clearance.”
- K. Brooks -
Always willing to listen to your concerns. I would highly recommend.
“Compassionate and kind, however, he will fight for you and your best interests. He is calm and calculated and extremely smart.”
- Ann M. -
Extremely helpful, responsive, and reasonable and got the job done amidst tenuous circumstances.
“She and her team were extremely compassionate, sensitive with me while concurrently advocating strongly on my behalf.”
- Jeremy R. -
I felt like she was practical and knowledgeable and most importantly, she listened.
“The professional and succinct assistance was a much-needed breath of fresh air in the maze of hurdles and complications with our family law case.”
- David R.
