Basics of Divorce

California is a “no fault” divorce state. This means that either party can seek a divorce without proving that the other spouse did anything wrong. Legally this is called “irreconcilable differences”.   The divorce case starts with the filing and service on the other spouse of the Summons and Petition for Dissolution.   Once the action has commenced, it will be necessary to obtain temporary orders regarding the minor children (custody and visitation orders) and/or finances (child support, spousal support (alimony), etc.). These orders will remain in effect, unless otherwise modified, during the duration of the divorce action. These temporary custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and other orders can be obtained through litigation by filing with the Court a Request for Order for Temporary Orders. However, the parties can also avoid Court by reaching an agreement on these issues regarding the children and/or finances and have their agreement submitted to the Court as a “Stipulation and Order”.

Regardless if your divorce involves straighforward or complex family law issues, including asset valuation and discovery of hidden assets, we will represent your interests through negotiation, litigation or alternative methods of dispute resolution.  We are dedicated to getting you the results that you want and deserve.

Marital Dissolution Lawyers in Yuba City, Marsville, Colusa, Chico, and Sacramento.

The decision to dissolve a marriage may be complicated as well as emotional. At the Law Offices of Ami Scarfe, we offer compassionate and zealous representation to protect your rights.  We are Yuba City divorce attorneys who will remain focused on your needs and pursue you and your children’s best interests.

At the Law Offices of Ami Scarfe we offer an experienced family law attorney to discuss how we can help you with your specific family or divorce matter.  Call or contact us to schedule your consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer.

With offices conveniently located in Yuba City, California, we serve clients throughout Butte, Yuba-Sutter and Sacramento Counties, particularly the areas of Yuba City, Chico, Marysville, Gridley, Colusa, Roseville and Sacramento. Ms. Scarfe is committed to providing exceptional representation at reasonable rates. 

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Call Today: (530) 208-1417.

(530) 208-1417

Divorce and Separation practicing in Yuba City, Marysville, and Colusa. Ms. Scarfe is an aggressive lawyer. 

Divorce is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. At the Law Offices of Ami Scarfe, we are dedicated to providing Yuba City, Marysville, and Colusa clients with the knowledge and substantive guidance necessary to navigate this difficult time in their lives. The Law Offices of Ami Scarfe will help you with the first step of identifying the important legal issues in your divorce or marital dissolution case, and ascertain your needs. Frequently, divorce raises issues of child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), and division of assets and debts.  There may also be other options to divorce such as legal separation or annulment. We believe that once we help our clients understand these legal issues, we can offer our clients a realistic assessment of their case, and effectuate a strategy to pursue our clients’ and their children’s best interests.  

855 Harter Parkway Ste. 260  Yuba City CA 95993 US

ami scarfe, Family Law, Child Custody, Support, Divorce 

Divorce/Marital Dissolution 

Once temporary orders are in place, the focus of any divorce action is the community assets and debts. To ascertain the nature and extent of the assets and debts, each spouse will need to complete and exchange with the other spouse financial statements (known as the Declaration of Disclosure).   Based on these disclosures, discovery may be necessary to figure out the true nature and extent of these assets and debts. It is critical that an experienced family law attorney review your assets and debts to ascertain whether they are community property or separate property.

If settlement cannot be reached, the case will eventually have to go to trial.  The trial may be on all issues in your case, or just one or more limited issues that could not be settled.  At the Law Offices of Ami Scarfe, we understand that the decision to settle or proceed to trial is dictated by a number of factors, primarily the pursuit of our clients’ best interests.  Upon settlement or at the conclusion of trial, permanent orders are in effect and the divorce action has concluded.