Orange County Divorce Lawyer

Irvine, California, Divorce Attorney

At the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham, in Irvine, California, we represent clients throughout Orange, Riverside, and Los Angeles counties in both contested and uncontested divorces — tailoring our approach to meet your unique needs.

Uncontested and Contested Divorces

In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse agree about all the issues involved, including marital property division, child custody and visitation, child support and spousal support. In a contested divorce, a disagreement exists over one or more issues that cannot be resolved by negotiations between the parties. You and your spouse may need a judicial officer to assist in arriving at an equitable resolution. Divorces can switch from being uncontested to contested divorces, or from contested to uncontested. In an uncontested divorce, you may believe you are in complete agreement and ask your lawyer to draft a marital settlement agreement or stipulated judgment, only to find that you do not agree after all. Matters that begin as contested divorces can also turn uncontested at the last minute, as spouses agree to settle things before going to court.

Legal Support That Protects Your Interests in Emotional Times

Divorce is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences people encounter in their lifetimes. If your marriage is ending, we understand that you need as much support as possible to move forward with your life. Contact an Irvine divorce lawyer.

Our clients often find solace and support with family and good friends, spiritual advisors and professional counselors. As an attorney, Ms. Oldham provides the equally necessary support that protects your legal interests as they exist under California law. As your attorney and support staff, we are closely focused on the law and the legal strategies needed to maximize your results in California courts.

Legal Separation As an Alternative to Divorce

People choose legal separation as an alternative to divorce for many reasons, including their religious beliefs, liability exposure, financial circumstances or insurance purposes. When spouses undergo a legal separation under California law, they may remain married in name only.

Many people are uninformed about what a legal separation is. It is a complex process that may permanently affect your rights. The assistance of an experienced attorney may be critical. If you are considering a legal separation, you should know that you will have to decide on many of the same issues you would in a divorce — property division, child support, spousal support, child custody and visitation.

Contact the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham

Contact an Orange County, California, legal separation attorney by calling 949-622-5522 for a consultation. Off-site, evening and weekend appointments are available for our clients' convenience. Our law firm accepts all major credit cards.