Divorce: Useful Information

In San Diego, California a divorce can be a very frustrating and aggravating experience. A divorce always has tension and conflict and adversarial positions. A divorce can cause some clients [and even some divorce attorneys] to act in an angry or inappropriate manner. In order to decrease this, knowledge of some useful information can minimize other problems which can arise which increase this tension even more. Below is some useful information to assist in minimizing this frustration in issues other than legal divorce issues. Information changes often so verify with a San Diego divorce lawyer.

In San Diego, there are many courts and court locations. It is very important in a divorce [or any other] case to go to the correct court house. The information for where the case is to be heard is in the "caption" at the top of the pleadings. In a divorce case in divorce court in San Diego, this is done by checking a box next to the court house locations. There are several courts for divorce in San Diego and they are as follows: two in San Diego; one in Vista; one in El Cajon and one in Chula Vista. Going to the incorrect court house is a sure way to increase tension The website address for the San Diego Superior Court is www.sdcourt.ca.gov and you can obtain current information from this website and it has useful information for any attorney or client.

In San Diego, as in many large cities, parking can become an issue. When you are in a rush and court is starting and you cannot find a parking place this increases tension. There is, most times, ample parking either in a lot or on the street for the divorce courts in San Diego. At the two courts downtown, there is no free parking lot for the divorce clients or for the family law court. There are meters on the street however these can be full. There are several lots nearby however these can be expensive however they are less expensive than getting a ticket. Our divorce firm uses a parking card which can be obtained from the City of San Diego and this card can be inserted in the parking meters and will give up to two hours time. The best part of the parking card is that, if you do not spend the full two hours, the difference is refunded back to your parking card when you insert at the end of your parking. Many times a hearing is thought to last all morning or afternoon and is continued for some reason or lasts less time. The disadvantage of parking on the street is that the parking is only two hours and you must move after this time or get a ticket. Be careful to park in the spaces assigned as attorneys and clients have gotten tickets for this. In the Vista court house, there is a free parking lot with an annex as needed. This lot can get very busy so plan to be there as early as possible to make sure you get a space. There is really no on street parking in Vista. There are no pay lots. In the El Cajon court house, there is a free lot however this is relatively small for the amount of cars and often fills up before 8:30am. There is on street parking and there are still no parking meters however the time limit is two hours in most spots and attorneys and clients have received tickets for staying more than two hours. There are no pay lots. In Chula Vista, there is a large parking area however this also can fill up by 8:30am. There is also street parking and no pay lot.

In San Diego, the mediation process can be confusing and complex. Divorce attorneys in San Diego are not allowed in the mediation at family court services. A non appearance can lead to a sanction of up to $1,500 and the Judges are now routinely imposing sanctions. The family court services office is not a court room and is a separate office in each building. In each court house, when you enter, there is a security screening checkpoint. At this check point is a Sheriff and they wear green uniforms and are law enforcement. Ask them where the family court services office is and they will direct you. It is crucial to be on time and, in this case, early as if you are late or do not appear the mediation may not go forward and you can be sanctioned as above. Verify the family court services date on the pleadings and be absolutely certain you have calendared the correct date and time and know which court house. Nothing will increase the tension more than missing this date which will significantly delay the case and also have the Judge upset with you. Do not allow this to happen to you. At our office, we send client's copies of all pleadings and make sure they know where to go and what time. In our office, our divorce attorneys also assist in "coaching" the client's prior to this mediation since this is a very stressful time for client's as they discuss their proposal for a parenting plan with the mediator. This family court services mediation may be the most important hearing in the case even though your attorney is not allowed to be present and the Judge is not present and it is not in a court room since the Judges normally follow the mediator's recommendations.

In San Diego, all court houses have a security screening checkpoint. Nothing would be more stressful than being arrested while entering a court house due to bringing any articles which are not allowed in the court house. This list is numerous and the most obvious examples are firearms, knives and other weapons however the complete list needs to be reviewed if you have any questions at all. This list can be found by contacting the San Diego County Sheriff's Office directly or by asking any of the Sheriff's at the security screening checkpoint. Do not bring any contraband into the court house as you are subject to a complete search upon entering.

In San Diego, the filings for the pleadings are done at the Clerk's Office. Both attorneys and client's have their stress and tension increased when they need to have a pleading filed that day and the Clerk's Office is not open. The hours of operation are, in general, 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. The phone numbers for the court houses are listed on the San Diego Superior Court website and it is suggested to call if you have any questions regarding this. In addition, there are holidays for which everyone is normally off work and knows it is a holiday and then there are holidays which many people work and do not consider a court holiday. For your convenience, the court holidays are listed on below. As our divorce lawyers in San Diego recall, the court's were also closed in 2007 for one full week due to the fires. It is always advisable to call first if you have any doubt as to whether the court house is open or not. The court houses are always closed on Saturday and Sunday.

2008 SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
New Years DayJanuary 1Tuesday
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. DayJanuary 21Monday
Lincoln's BirthdayFebruary 12Tuesday
Presidents' DayFebruary 18Monday
Cesar Chavez DayMarch 31Monday
Memorial DayMay 26Monday
Independence DayJuly 4Friday
Labor DaySeptember 1Monday
Columbus DayOctober 12Monday
Veterans's DayNovember 11Tuesday
Thanksgiving DayNovember 27Thursday
Day after ThanksgivingNovember 28Friday
ChristmasDecember 25Thursday

Please do not hesitate to call our office for your divorce, family law, legal separation, paternity or annulment case as we can also suggest additional useful information to reduce your tension and conflict and to implement legal strategies and techniques to protect your rights and try and obtain your goals.

Contact Us Online or call us at 858-312-8500 in Southern California. We will be pleased to offer you a complimentary and confidential consultation up to a length of 30 minutes with one of our San Diego divorce attorneys to discuss strategies and techniques to assist in protecting your rights and trying to obtain your legal goals.