2016: Rancho Bernardo Divorce, Paternity and Legal Separation Procedures in San Diego Superior Court Whether or Not You Hire an Attorney to Represent You

Procedures for Filing for a Rancho Bernardo Resident in San Diego Superior Court for Paternity, Legal Separation and Divorce

It makes no difference if you hire a lawyer or not as to the Petition which must be filed, whether a legal separation, divorce or paternity case in San Diego Superior Court in 2016 to initiate a family law case. This is a legal requirement for all family law cases in California however an attorney can make sure that this is correctly filled out since often errors can occur which can make a large substantive difference later in the case. It is possible to amend a Petition however it is always best to make sure accurate when filed. The issues you can expect, depending on the facts of your case, will be alimony, child support, child custody and child visitation, division of debt and also of assets. You will need to complete the preliminary declarations of disclosure if a divorce or legal separation but will not need to do this if a paternity case. The preliminary declaration of disclosure includes the income and expense declaration as well as the schedule of assets and debts. The reason this is required for a legal separation and divorce, and not a paternity, is due to the fiduciary relationship between husband and wife which does not exist between unmarried parents. Under the California Family Law Code, the division of assets and debts will be under community property law. This looks to the period between the date of marriage and the date of separation for division purposes. This can get complicated as not all assets and debts are divided one half each even if incurred during the marriage with knowledge of both spouses. For example, student loans incurred during marriages of ten years of less are often not divided one half each. The Law Firm of Doppelt and Forney, APLC can assist with both legal advice as well as all of the above pleading preparation and analysis.

What Court House Are Pleadings Filed in for a Rancho Bernardo Family Law Case?

Residents of Rancho Bernardo will file their pleadings in the Main Family Law Court House at 1555 Sixth Avenue in downtown San Diego. These can be filed personally or by an attorney or by an attorney service or other third party. Lines can be long and hours can vary depending on court holidays and parking can be difficult. A lawyer can assist with this with a minimal cost to you and save you hours and frustration in personally filing pleadings. The same can be true of serving the filed pleadings. A petition and summons must be personally served however there is an alternate procedure which is to send a Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt which may take the place of personal service. The Law Office of Doppelt and Forney, APLC files many pleadings at the family law court house downtown San Diego as well as El Cajon, Vista and Chula Vista.

Some Information About Rancho Bernardo

Rancho Bernardo is located about twenty miles north by north east of downtown San Diego. Rancho Bernardo is bordered by 4S Ranch, Escondido, Poway and Rancho Pensasquitos. There is an annual street fair, called RB Alive, which is held every summer on Bernardo Center Drive and some adjoining street and parking lots. The oldest winery in Southern California, Bernardo Winery, is located in Rancho Bernardo. The Witch Creek Fire, in 2007, devastated entire neighborhoods. I-15 is the closest interstate and the Law Firm of Doppelt and Forney, APLC is located at the intersection of Bernardo Center Drive just off the I-15 next to the McDonald’s.

How Can a Rancho Bernardo Law Firm Help You?

The Law Firm of Doppelt and Forney, APLC has full time attorneys who are licensed in California to give you legal advice and represent you in your pending San Diego family law case. The firm offers a free in-person or virtual consultation in their office up to thirty minutes and has convenient free parking for the appointment as well as for their current clients. Feel free to call their office to set a consultation for your family law case.