San Diego Legal Seperation Attorney

If you hope to reconcile or are philosophically opposed to divorce, a San Diego legal separation lawyer at Kraffert & Shaffer, LLP can help. In many cases, legal separation is preferable to divorce for both religious and financial reasons. While legally separated couples cannot remarry, they are allowed to claim each other on their taxes. Additionally, certain employment and medical benefits are retained, though the specifics involved in deductibles and how catastrophic health care issues are covered may be affected by a legal separation. At the Law Offices of Kraffert & Shaffer, our family lawyers explain and discuss the legal and financial consequences of a legal separation. Our firm has represented hundreds of clients in legal separation and other family law actions throughout San Diego County. We make sure you understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with a legal separation so you can make decisions that are best for you and your family.

Before you and your spouse can be legally separated, you must resolve child custody, parenting time, and spousal support issues. Additionally, for certain financial matters, you will be divorced for all intents and purposes. As a result, you will not be responsible for the debt incurred by the other party. Additionally an order of legal separation does not terminate the marriage and the parties are not free to remarry. The parties may seek to have all other issues decided regarding property, custody, alimony, and child support in such a proceeding. A legal separation may be advantageous because the spouse would retain the status as spouse and therefore retain things such as medical benefits, pensions, tax benefits and inheritance. Our San Diego legal separation attorneys can help clients sort through these issues in order to ensure everyone is prepared for the obligations that follow once your legal separation is finalized.

In California, there is no waiting period or residency requirement to file for legal separation. However, to file for divorce, you must be a resident of California for six months and a resident of your county for three months. Couples who do not meet the residency or jurisdictional requirements for divorce can file for legal separation and then have the petition modified into a divorce action.

We work closely with our clients to create legal separation agreements that meet their needs. Our goal is to work toward a fair resolution of your concerns, with a very responsive, compassionate and competent approach to the process, whether in court or negotiated outside court. To speak with a San Diego legal separation attorney, contact the Law Offices of Kraffert & Shaffer today.

Kraffert & Shaffer, LLP
San Diego Legal Separation Attorneys
1250 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 662
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 618-2541
Fax: (619) 230-1036

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