Negotiating a Stipulated Judgment or Marital Settlement Agreement
Serving Clients Throughout Orange County - Riverside County - Los Angeles County
Every divorce is unique. Depending on the financial situation and the personalities involved, different strategies are necessary for negotiating a fair and equitable agreement. Negotiating either a stipulated judgment or a marital settlement agreement is often the best way to proceed, primarily because it keeps the parties out of the courtroom and in complete control of the division of the community estate. If an agreement cannot be reached between the parties, aggressive litigation may be the only alternative. If necessary, Ms. Oldham will take forceful action in California courtrooms. However, Ms. Oldham will always try to structure an agreement between the parties that will maximize the legal benefits available to her clients and minimize the costs.
At the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham, in Irvine, our experienced lawyer represents people throughout Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties in matters related to stipulated judgments or marital settlement agreements. Using ten years of experience, attorney Melanie Oldham will prepare, review and revise a stipulated judgments or marital settlement agreement to protect your interests in your divorce.
About Marital Settlement Agreements
A stipulated judgment or marital settlement agreement (often abbreviated MSA) is a written agreement entered into by spouses getting divorced. It is a document that spells out the specific terms of the divorce and includes final provisions for all aspects of support and the final division of the assets acquired and the liabilities incurred during the marriage.
It addresses a broad spectrum of disputed issues:
Once it is written and signed, a stipulated judgment or marital settlement agreement is attached to the required judgment forms and submitted to the court for the judge's signature. After the requisite waiting period, your divorce will be complete.
Advantages of a Stipulated Judgment or Marital Settlement Agreement
While they are not required, these agreements have several advantages. They lay out your agreement in writing, which may help eliminate uncertainty and future disputes. They may also move your case more quickly through the court system - thus eliminating the impact a long, drawn-out divorce can have on your family.
Stipulated judgments and marital settlement agreements may also save you money. They often require less attorney time - resulting in lower legal fees. If your case proceeds to trial, your attorney's costs will escalate considerably. More importantly, when a case goes to trial, a judge will decide the outcome of all unsettled issues according to California statute and case law, causing the parties to lose control.
At Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham, our clients receive a great deal of personal attention from Ms. Oldham and her administrative staff. Unlike the services provided by large law firms, your case will never be transferred to an inexperienced associate, and you will always be able to speak with someone who knows you.
Contact the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham
Contact us by calling 949-579-9739 or toll free at 866-669-0369 for a consultation. Phones are answered 24 hours a day. Off-site, evening and weekend appointments are available for our clients' convenience. We accept all major credit cards.
