In California, a divorce is called a dissolution of marriage proceeding. A dissolution of marriage proceeding is commenced by the filing party who will be referred to as the “Petitioner”, and the responding or answering party will be referred to as the “Respondent” through all aspects of the proceedings.

A dissolution of marriage proceeding is commenced by the filing of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The divorce proceeding will encompass a resolution of all issues related to the termination and ending of a marriage. Child custody, child visitation, child support, spousal support or alimony, asset valuation issues, property division, division of assets, division of debts, rights of reimbursement, credit issues, restraining orders and all other related issues regarding the marriage will be formally resolved. The final order resolving the marital issues will generally be called a Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

At any juncture in the case, a case may settle in full or in part, or a case may proceed on to a hearing and/or trial on some or all of the marital issues. Whether a case settles or goes to trial is by and large a product of the complexity of the issues in the case, and the reasonableness of the parties in attempting to achieve compromise and settlement. These same concepts determine how long a case may last and, needless to say, how expensive a case may become.