San Bernardino & Riverside Legal Separation Attorney

Representing clients in San Bernardino, Riverside, and surrounding areas of California, the Law Office of Michael R. Young, APC is a very reputable and aggressive Family Law Firm that specializes in such issues as legal separation, annulment, divorce, child custody, and domestic violence.

Legal separation does not terminate one’s marital status, but rather helps to address certain issues that occur before a Dissolution of Marriage (divorce) takes place.  Such issues include community property rights, allocation and payment of marital debts, spousal support, child support, child custody and visitation.  In some instances, however, and because of a religious or other personal issues, couples will decide to legally separate without the necessary intention that they will divorce in the future.  Nonetheless, a legal separation leaves the marriage bonds intact, but without the rights and responsibilities that are generally attached to being married.  For instance, if one or both parties acquire property after the legal separation, then this property will not be treated as community property if and when a divorce is sought.  Furthermore, except as ordered by the court pursuant to the granting of the legal separation, neither spouse is responsible for the other in any manner whatsoever, personally, medically, or financially.  Simply put, with a legal separation agreement, both parties walk away with all of their rights identified and protected, and property, support, and custody issues decided. 

It is important to note that before one can file for a Dissolution of Marriage after being granted a legal separation, he or she must have been a resident of the state of California for at least six months, and a resident of his or her county for at least three months.   

Legal Separation and Legal Representation
Legally separating from one’s spouse is almost always a difficult decision to make.  Whether one is adamant about ending the marriage or still hoping to reconcile sometime in the future, it is important to understand what is involved in a legal separation and how decisions made during this time can have an impact on a future Dissolution of Marriage proceeding.  Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable and skilled family law attorney can prove to be very crucial and is one of the best ways to preserve one’s long-term financial health. 

At the Law Office of Michael R. Young, APC, we will walk you through the legal separation process step-by-step, ensuring that you fully understand how any decisions made at this time will effect you in the future.  In order to serve the best interests of our clients and any children that may be involved, we strive to attain mutually agreed upon settlements as much as possible.  If, however, a situation dictates, we are fully prepared to fight for our clients’ rights in trial.  For more information on how the San Bernardino—Riverside Law Office of Michael R. Young, APC can help you, contact us today!