Making the decision to enter into a divorce is an extremely pivotal moment in life, which is why so many couples struggle to know if and when it’s the right decision. The process is deeply personal, requiring decisions to be made about everything, from finances to family dynamics. While the process can be overwhelming, having the right support can make a huge difference. Hiring a Norco divorce lawyer as a resource can give you the steady hand you need.
At Najera Law Group, APC, our Norco family lawyers understand the complexities of divorce. Every client who comes through our doors brings their own set of needs and circumstances that make their divorce case unique from any other. Whether you are navigating child custody or property division or are trying to achieve a spousal support arrangement that gives you the financial support you need, we can work hard to protect your rights and help secure the outcome you hope for.
If you’re navigating the legal system, we can fight to protect your interests. Call (951) 821-4647 to schedule a free consultation. Se habla español.
Meet Our Team
Built on Courtroom Experience, Driven by Purpose.
Our attorneys have collectively tried more than 250 jury trials and thousands of non-jury trials, contested hearings, and courtroom proceedings in Family Law, Probate, Civil Litigation, Tax, and Criminal Law. That experience shapes how we evaluate cases, counsel our clients, and fight for results.
Our Corona Attorneys Have Been Awarded the Highest Legal Honors
What Are the Most Common Legal Issues in a Divorce?
Understanding the most common issues that can arise during the divorce process can help you make informed decisions that protect your interests.
Here is an in-depth look at some of the most frequent issues that come through our doors:
Division of Property and Assets
One of the more significant challenges of a divorce is deciding who gets to keep what. Fortunately, the state of California does give us some guidance, as we operate under the principles of community property. This means that most marital assets and debts are considered joint property and should be split equally. Only marital assets qualify for this, meaning any items that were owned by a single party before the marriage stay in their possession after divorce.
Child Custody and Parenting Plans
One of the more emotionally challenging topics to deal with in a divorce is child custody. When the California courts are assessing a divorce case that involves children, they will be looking at it through the lens of what arrangement provides the least amount of disruption to the child’s life. In many cases, this is joint custody, which is where both parents split time with the child and make important decisions about their life, such as their education and medical decisions.
Spousal Support
Otherwise referred to as alimony, the concept of spousal support was developed to ensure that both parties are able to maintain a similar standard of living that they became used to during their marriage. California courts consider different factors when determining what the spousal support figure should be, such as how long the couple was married, each spouse’s earning capacity, and their contributions to the household.
Division of Debt
No one wants to start the next chapter of their life with debt, but it is a reality that many divorcing couples must deal with if they generate debt together during their marriage in Norco, CA. This includes credit card debt, mortgages, car loans, and any other financial obligations they made together. Individual debts brought into the marriage, like student loan debt, will remain with each individual.
Child Support
The concept of child support was developed to offer financial assistance to the lower-earning spouse in a divorce with children. This topic is often disputed when one parent believes that the calculations were unfair, meaning either the receiving spouse believes more money is needed to care for the child or the paying spouse feels the child support figure is too high given their circumstances.
Modifications to Orders
Even after a divorce is finalized, it’s not unusual for more legal issues to pop up. This is because life circumstances change, which is why California allows modifications to any divorce when necessary. For example, if one parent needs to relocate for a new job, the court may need to adjust the existing custody order to ensure the child is able to maintain a bond with both parents.
Norco Divorce Law FAQs
Q: How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in California?
A: The total cost of a divorce lawyer in California varies wildly depending on how complicated your case is, how many years of experience the attorney has, and what county you file for divorce in. The longer an attorney needs to work on a case, the more time and effort they will be able to charge for. However, you need to keep an eye on the return on your investment. For instance, securing the spousal support you need can quickly outweigh the upfront legal costs.
Q: What Is a Wife Entitled to in a Divorce Settlement in California?
A: California follows community property laws, which means both parties are entitled to an equal share of the overall property that has been acquired during the marriage. This can include income, real estate, and retirement accounts. If the wife in the relationship was the lower-earning spouse, they may also be awarded spousal support to help ensure they will be able to financially support themselves independently once the divorce is finalized.
Q: What Is the 5-year Rule for Divorce in California?
A: The 5-year rule suggests that if you have been married for less than five years before pursuing a divorce in California, you qualify to enter a summary dissolution. This is a much easier way to end a marriage, as it’s less expensive and does not require a trial or hearing to finalize matters. In addition to being married for less than five years, you also must not have children together, must not want a spousal support arrangement, and must already be in agreement on property division.
Q: Is Divorce in California Always a 50/50 Split?
A: Many people wonder if there are any exceptions to California’s community property laws, which dictate that all marital assets are split equally in a divorce. However, the division isn’t always necessarily a 50/50 split. For example, one spouse might get to keep the family home while the other spouse gets to keep a larger share of their financial accounts to help balance the value.
Contact Najera Law Group, APC, Today
If you are gearing up to enter a divorce and have yet to hire a legal team, contact us today. We would love to hear more about your divorce goals and share how we believe we are fit to help you achieve them.
Client Reviews
Skilled, Well-Experienced Lawyer.
“I also should mention that he has a great team behind his back with a service app that you can send any questions to if you get any and they respond right away even if they are closed at the time of asking the question they always made sure to get back to”
- Abanoub H.
Highly Recommend.
“Not only did I feel prioritized I also felt heard. I struggled finding a lawyer to help with my case and while other lawyers told me to “just give up” Najera Law Group encouraged me to keep going with my case and has gotten me the results neede”
- Alyssa H.
Extremely Nice & Professional.
“He reassured me through the whole process and I honestly was at ease because he truly cared about me and keeping my kids with me. Everyone in his office is pleasant to talk too and super nice.”
- Brittany R.
Highly Recommend Him.
“He was able to explain the divorce process to the client, in an easy and professional manner. We set up the consultation for the next day. Steve is knowledgeable and confident in his practice to serve his clients.”
- Carolina S.
Very Prompt, Candid, & Confident.
“I was in need of a lawyer in a last minute situation and I was very well taken care of and reassured every step of the way. Their confidence and knowledge alone put me at ease during a highly stressful time.”
- Hog S.
Amazing & Got the Job Done.
“Steve was amazing and got the Job done, My ex husband got temp custody of my 3 yr old son Noah, without hesitation my sister found Najeralawgroup, we quickly hired steve, without a fight he got the job done.”
- Theresa G.
Awesome & Very Confident.
“Steve and his team are awesome. Very confident, I’m glad I choose Steve to win my case.”
- Jackie R.
Really Appreciated the Help.
“You guys helped me a lot and really recomend you guys thank you for everything.”
- Cesar A.
Te Dan Mucha Confianza.
“Me pareció un excelente grupo de abogados te dan mucha confianza.”
E. Steve NajeraCEO & Chief Trial Attorney
Israel ClaustroChief Operating Officer
Quinton SwansonSenior Trial Attorney
Virginia AlvarezExecutive Director of Operations
Estefania BuenrrostroSenior Litigation Paralegal / Admin Supervisor
Ruth MaganaDirector of Business Operations and Analytics
Celina MancillaSenior Litigation Paralegal / Supervisor
Erika LopezLitigation Paralegal
Johana FloresLegal Assistant
Tito NavarroLegal Assistant / Marketing
Yessenia VazquezLegal Assistant
