Attorney Torrence L. Howell specializes in family law in the Upland, CA area. He has been practicing family law here for over 29 years, so there’s virtually no question he hasn’t heard before already. But there are many questions that just about every client asks him. If you’re considering scheduling a free initial consultation with Attorney Howell, learning the answers to these questions now may be helpful. Here are the top FAQs Attorney Howell receives just about on a daily basis:

How do I file for a divorce?

A California, filing for a divorce is relatively simple. All you have to do is file a Petition for Dissolution, pay a small fee, and have papers served to your spouse. While it’s a relatively simple process, it’s always a good idea to enlist the expertise of Attorney Howell to make sure your paperwork is in order before filing.

Can my ex block the divorce?

No, California state law allows for a divorce to proceed without the participation of both spouses. He or she may not contest the divorce, but they may contest certain provisions such as alimony, child support, etc.

How does alimony work?

In almost all cases, alimony is provided by a high-earning spouse to the low-earning one. The amount will be vary, with the goal being to ensure the lower-earning spouse enjoys a similar lifestyle as when he or she was married. If you and your spouse aren’t able to reach an agreement on alimony terms on your own, Attorney Howell will mediate between you to hopefully come to a consensus. If that’s not possible, you’ll have to go to court, where the judge will use the alimony calculator and consider other factors as well to determine your alimony terms.

How long does alimony last?

There’s no hard and fast rule about how long alimony lasts. If a couple is married for more than 10 years, lifetime alimony may be put in place. Many cases decide to have the alimony period last for half the length of the marriage – others provide alimony as a one-time lump sum payment.

What if I have a pre-nup?

Pre-nups aren’t ironclad. They may be invalidated in court based on various factors. If you believe your pre-nup is unfair, come speak with Attorney Howell about getting in annulled.

How are retirement accounts handled in divorce?

Most retirement account amounts must be divided in half in the event of a divorce. In the case of IRA accounts, one spouse may choose to buy out the other to make sure all assets are divided evenly.

There are many other FAQs that Attorney Howell receives constantly, such as:

• How is child support calculated?
• What are my child custody options?
• What are my visitation options?
• Can I deny my ex visitation?
• What if I’m not happy with the provisions of my divorce decree?

Feel free to check out more answers to these FAQs here. And if you have further questions, don’t hesitate to schedule a free initial consultation with Attorney Howell. Just call his office at (909) 920-0908 or email info@torrencelhowelllaw.com to discuss your important family law matter with him ASAP.