Los Angeles Divorce Attorneys/Lawyers Family Law Attorney Beverly Hills

D issolution of Marriage - This action can be filed by a married person to end the marital
relationship between a husband and wife. Along with restoring the parties to single status,
the Court will issue orders for custody and visitation of the minor children of the marriage,
child support, spousal support, and confirm or divide community and separate property
assets and debts.

Once an action is filed by a Petitioner, the other party, Respondent, must be personally
served with specific paperwork. If the Respondent fails to file the necessary responding
paperwork within thirty (30) days of service, the Petitioner may request an entry of default.
Once the default is entered, the Petitioner can complete the divorce proceeding without
the participation of the Respondent.

If the Respondent files the necessary responding paperwork, the case will then proceed as
either a contested matter or an uncontested matter. The action is considered contested if
the parties are unable to agree on some or all issues and the unresolved issues must be
resolved by the Court. The action is considered uncontested if the parties are able to
cooperate and agree on all issues outside of Court and the matter can proceed to its
conclusion by submitting the necessary signed paperwork for the Court's signature.

Back to Glossary

© 2007 Warren R. Shiell. All rights reserved. Los Angeles Divorce and Family Law Attorney. The information contained in
this website is an "Advertisement." It is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this
Website shall be deemed to create an Attorney-Client relationship. An Attorney-Client relationship shall only be created when
this office agrees to represent a Client and a Client signs a written retainer agreement.