Dissolution of Marriage or Domestic Partnership
Ending a marriage or domestic partnership can be one of life’s most emotionally and legally complex transitions. At Jeffrey Orr Law, we understand the stakes—not just the division of assets, but your peace of mind, future security, and dignity. With compassionate, experienced guidance, we help you navigate the legal process confidently, protecting your rights and helping you move forward with clarity. Whether your case involves disputes over property, support, or custody, we tailor our strategy to your unique situation.
How we assist in dissolution matters:
- Strategic assessment of your financial picture — assets, debts, income, and valuations
- Negotiation or mediation services to reach fair agreements without excessive conflict
- Litigation support and courtroom representation when disputes can’t be resolved cooperatively
- Securing appropriate spousal support (alimony) based on your needs and legal guidelines
- Assistance in dividing property and assets—including real estate, investments, retirement accounts
- Addressing parental responsibilities, child support, custody, and visitation if children are involved
- Post-dissolution modifications and enforcement (e.g. if circumstances change)
Legal Separation and Annulment
Legal separation and annulment are two distinct paths for couples seeking to change their marital or partnership status without pursuing a full divorce. Legal separation allows partners to live apart and formalize arrangements like child custody, support, and property division, while remaining legally married. An annulment, by contrast, seeks to declare the marriage void — effectively as if it never existed — under certain legal grounds. Each option carries its own advantages, limitations, and eligibility criteria, and navigating them successfully often hinges on understanding nuanced family law.
Key considerations for these options include:
- Determining whether legal separation or annulment is appropriate given your circumstances
- Eligibility requirements and legal grounds for annulment (e.g. fraud, incapacity, underage marriage)
- Structuring custody, visitation, and child support in separation agreements
- Establishing spousal support (if applicable) under separation status
- Division of property and debt, and how it may differ from divorce procedures
- Process for converting separation into divorce if desired later
- Post-annulment effects on property, inheritance, and legal status of children
- Modifying or enforcing separation agreements if circumstances change
Property division (Community vs. Separate Property)
When ending a marriage or partnership, dividing property can be one of the most challenging steps. California follows community property law, meaning most assets and debts acquired during the relationship are shared equally. However, some items — like inheritances, gifts, or assets owned before the marriage — may qualify as separate property. Understanding this distinction is crucial to reaching a fair outcome.
Key points about property division:
- Identify what qualifies as community versus separate property
- Evaluate real estate, investments, and retirement accounts for equitable distribution
- Trace ownership history to prove separate property claims
- Protect your financial interests during negotiations or mediation
- Resolve disputes over mixed (commingled) assets and debts
Spousal Support (Alimony/Maintenance)
Key aspects of spousal support:
- Determines financial assistance one spouse may owe the other during or after separation
- Considers length of the marriage, income, and each party’s ability to maintain their standard of living
- Can be temporary, rehabilitative, or long-term depending on circumstances
- Negotiated through settlement or ordered by the court when necessary
- Subject to modification if financial or personal situations change
Spousal support helps ensure fairness when one partner has been financially dependent on the other. It provides stability during transition and allows time for financial independence, whether through education, employment, or adjusting to post-marriage life.