Written By
Valerie Catalano, J.D.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Going through a divorce can test your limits emotionally and financially. However, you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re dealing with complex asset division, child custody or spousal support issues, an experienced attorney can take some weight off your shoulders and help you through the divorce process in Fresno.
Discover our list of the best divorce lawyers in Fresno who can protect your rights and help you move forward. You’ll also find a summary of California’s divorce laws and instructions on how to file your divorce in court.
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Best Fresno Divorce Lawyers
Laura M. Boyd
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2010
Law School Attended
San Joaquin College of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Jerry D. Casheros
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1999
Law School Attended
University of California Davis School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Kristen M. Gates
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2008
Law School Attended
San Joaquin College of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Dias Hall Inc.
Robin M. Hall
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2008
Law School Attended
San Joaquin College of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Gary A. Hunt
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2009
Law School Attended
University of San Diego School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Antoinette Lerandeau
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1994
Law School Attended
Golden Gate University School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Paul E. Lerandeau
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1989
Law School Attended
Loyola Law School Los Angeles
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Mary M. Moshrefi
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2006
Law School Attended
San Joaquin College of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Natalie M. Packer
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2014
Law School Attended
San Joaquin College of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Gerald M. Tomassian
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1988
Law School Attended
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Compare Top Fresno Divorce Attorneys
Filing for Divorce in Fresno, California
Divorce is never easy. However, knowing what to expect can make the divorce process less stressful and help you smooth out bumps along the way.
California Divorce Requirements
Filing for divorce in California does not require a mandatory separation period. However, you must fulfill specific residency requirements. You or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in the county where you plan to file for at least three months prior to filing. There is also a six-month waiting period from the date the papers are served until the divorce is finalized.
The first step in filing for divorce is completing the petition for dissolution of marriage and other necessary documents. You then file the forms, along with the appropriate fee, in Fresno County Superior Court. The next step entails serving the divorce papers to your spouse. Any adult other than you can serve them, or you can use the county sheriff.
Types of Divorce and Separation in California
Knowing your options regarding separation and divorce can be vital. Here’s a selection of California divorce laws and choices for those seeking to end their marriage or separate.
- Legal separation. In California, you can legally separate and obtain a court order for property division, child custody and support arrangements without divorcing. Legal separation can be a temporary solution for couples not ready to take the next step or a long-term solution for those seeking to live apart but not wishing to divorce.
- Summary dissolution. A summary dissolution is a simpler and quicker way to end a marriage, requiring less paperwork and court involvement. However, it’s available only for couples who have been married for a short time with few assets and no children.
- No-fault divorce. California allows no-fault divorces, meaning you or your spouse don’t have to prove any wrongdoing to be granted a divorce. You can simply state “irreconcilable differences” as a reason for seeking a marriage dissolution.
- Annulment. An annulment invalidates a marriage or domestic partnership as if it never existed. Grounds for an annulment in California include bigamy, being underage at the time of marriage, fraud and coercion.
Child Custody, Support and Visitation in California
Understanding child custody, support and visitation regulations in California can be crucial for protecting your rights. Here’s a summary of the essential custody matters.
- Child custody. California distinguishes between legal and physical custody. The parent with legal custody can make important decisions for the child in areas such as healthcare and education. Physical custody determines where the child resides and how the parents share time with the child. Physical and legal custody can be joint (shared between the parents) or sole.
- Child support. Child support payments for the child’s needs are based on various factors, such as the child’s needs, both parents’ income and where the child resides. The custodial parent typically receives child support.
- Visitation rights. Visitation rights allow both parents to maintain a close relationship with their children. Visitation in California may be open, with a schedule or supervised. However, a court can deny visitation rights if concerns exist about the child’s well-being.
Property Division in California
California is a community property state, meaning any assets and debts you and your spouse acquired during the marriage are typically divided equitably. For example, if you and your spouse bought a house together during marriage, the property is split between you in the divorce. However, any assets owned before marriage or received by one of you as a gift or inheritance during marriage is considered separate property.
In California, spousal support can be temporary or long-term. When determining spousal support payments, a court may consider factors such as the length of your marriage, the age and health of each spouse, income and the standard of living during the marriage. For instance, if one spouse stayed home to raise children, the court might order alimony to help them maintain their accustomed lifestyle.
Filing and Serving Your Divorce Papers
To start the divorce, complete and file a petition (Form FL-100) and a summons (Form FL-110). If you and your spouse have children together, you’ll also need to complete a Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). The cost to file is $435.
Once you have filed the completed forms at your local courthouse, you must serve your spouse with the divorce papers. As you can’t serve your spouse yourself, consider engaging a sheriff, process server or anyone over 18 who isn’t involved in the case. Once your spouse receives the divorce papers, your server must complete the Proof of Service of Summons (Form FL-115).
If you are filing for a summary dissolution, you must complete an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150), Declaration of Disclosure (Form FL-140) and either a Schedule of Assets and Debts (Form FL-142) or a Property Declaration (Form FL-160). Also, complete and file the Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution (Form FL-800) and Judgment of Dissolution and Notice of Entry of Judgment (form FL-825) along with your property division agreement.
Finalizing Your Divorce
In California, once you’ve filed and served your divorce papers to your spouse, there’s a mandatory waiting period of six months before your divorce can be finalized.
If you agree with your spouse on all the essential issues, such as asset division, finances and child custody, a hearing is typically not required to finalize your divorce. However, if you can’t agree on all issues with your spouse, a court hearing will be scheduled to decide on any contentious matters. Your case may even go to trial if you and your spouse can’t reach an agreement.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
You might not need an attorney if you and your spouse agree on all matters concerning the marriage dissolution. However, hiring a divorce lawyer to protect your interests can be essential when the divorce involves child custody disputes and substantial assets. Here’s how a divorce attorney can help.
- Completing and filing paperwork. Hiring a lawyer to prepare and file your divorce documents reduces stress and overwhelm during an already challenging time. You’ll also feel reassured that the paperwork is completed accurately and complies with legal requirements.
- Negotiating fair asset division. If your spouse refuses a fair divorce settlement, an attorney can fight hard for what you’re owed, whether it’s your fair share of assets or child or spousal support.
- Representing you in court. Having an attorney by your side is vital when your divorce case is highly contested and goes to court. They can present your case effectively to a judge, coach you for hearings and manage courtroom procedures.
- Providing peace of mind. Divorce can be emotionally taxing. Hiring an attorney to advocate for you can make all the difference for your mental well-being. You can focus on your life while they handle the legal aspects of your divorce.
How To Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in Fresno, CA
Finding great local legal representation in Fresno requires some effort but can be essential, especially in an acrimonious divorce. Here’s what to look for in a great divorce lawyer.
- Experience in family law. Your attorney should specialize in family law and have extensive experience in handling complex divorce cases. A deep knowledge of California’s family laws and divorce proceedings is a must.
- Referrals and satisfied clients. Choosing a lawyer based on recommendations from family, friends or co-workers can be an excellent idea. Looking at client reviews online can give you an idea of a lawyer’s success record and client satisfaction.
- Strong communication skills. Divorce paperwork and proceedings can be complicated. Your lawyer should be able to translate legalese into plain language and ensure that you’re always well-informed about your case.
Our Methodology for Finding the Best Fresno Divorce Attorneys
Forbes Advisor considered many factors to determine the best divorce lawyers in Fresno of 2024. Its mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information should not be considered comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Divorce in Fresno
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The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.
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