Riverside Medical Professionals Divorce Lawyer

Riverside Medical Professionals Divorce Attorney

When couples broach the topic of divorce, it can make every aspect of your life feel unstable. Unfortunately, medical professionals often don’t have the option of letting their work fall behind while they deal with family issues. Working with a Riverside medical professionals divorce lawyer can help streamline the process and allow you to move forward as efficiently as possible.

Choose a Family Law Firm That California Residents Trust

For over 20 years, Edgar & Dow have been a pillar in California’s family law community. With years of experience backing them, our attorneys work tirelessly to settle legal matters as efficiently as possible. We refuse to let our clients deal with drawn-out legal proceedings and work to ensure favorable outcomes.

Our firm offers free consultations to new clients living in Riverside and the surrounding areas. When you come in to meet with a divorce lawyer from one of our four locations, you’ll be able to describe your situation in full detail. From there, our family attorneys can offer the tools you need to take back control of your life.

The Divorce Process in California

In 2023, around 19,000 residents of Riverside were divorced. While divorce is inherently stressful, the process was designed to be accessible to everyone. When you and your spouse decide to start your divorce, you’ll need to meet certain residency requirements. At least one spouse must:

• Have lived in California for over six months
• Lived in Riverside County for over three months

You’ll then be able to file your divorce forms. Divorce for Riverside residents is typically overseen at the Riverside Family Law Courthouse at 4175 Main Street. From there, you and your spouse will work together to resolve your divorce issues. These issues can include:

• How to divide your assets between the two of you
• If spousal support payments will be made from one spouse to the other
• Child custody and child support, if applicable

The Process of Property Division in a California Divorce

In 2023, 18,632 residents of Riverside worked in healthcare and social assistance. In 2024, it was reported by the National Library of Medicine that physicians in the U.S. faced higher divorce rates. Out of 253 surveyed physicians, 14.7% had a marriage that ended.

When faced with such a high-stress work environment, it can be difficult to navigate the divorce process in addition. It’s important to hire a medical professional divorce lawyer to help you manage your case.

During your consultation with the attorneys at Edgar & Dow, you can explain any limitations you may have. Our property division lawyers can work around your specific needs during the entirety of your case.

California recognizes two types of property in a divorce:

1. Community property. This is typically anything gained during the marriage, including individual income and debts. It’s divided between spouses equally, unless they can agree on another option together.
2. Separate property. This is typically anything gained prior to marriage and generally isn’t divided during divorce.

How California Courts Determine Spousal Support

In 2024, the average income for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations in the U.S. was $83,090. Earnings can significantly influence financial obligations in a divorce. Spousal support, also called alimony, is payments from one spouse to the other after divorce. These payments are designed to help the non-paying spouse eventually become self-sufficient while maintaining the lifestyle they became accustomed to during marriage.

Courts look at various factors to determine if spousal support will be awarded, including:

• The age and health of each spouse
• The length of the marriage
• Whether one spouse sacrificed their career to maintain the home or raise children
• How each spouse contributed to the other’s career, both financially and otherwise
• The paying spouse’s ability to pay
• Each spouse’s needs, assets, and debts
• The tax consequences

FAQs About Riverside, CA Medical Professionals Divorce Laws

What Is the 5-Year Rule for Divorce in California?

The five-year rule for divorce in California is also called summary dissolution. This process is a simplified divorce process. To qualify, you must meet every requirement, which includes being married for less than five years, having no children, owning less than $25,000 in both shared and separate property, and having $4,000 or less in debt. You also have to agree to waive spousal support and agree on how to divide property.

What Is Commingling in a Divorce?

Commingling is when separate property mixes with community property. When this happens, it becomes subject to division during divorce. For example, if you used income before marriage to make home improvements on your marital home, that money may be divided during divorce. To ensure your property stays separate, you’ll need to trace its origins with a financial professional. Your lawyer can help you during this process.

When Does Spousal Support End in California?

In California, spousal support typically ends when payments have been issued for half the length of the marriage, unless the marriage lasted over 10 years. If your marriage was long, support may last indefinitely. Paying spousal support is important, as not doing so has major legal consequences. Courts can collect payment directly from your wages and even hold you in contempt.

What Is Mediation in Divorce?

Mediation in a divorce is an alternative to court. It’s less costly and time-consuming than court hearings. During mediation, a neutral mediator helps guide conversations between you and your spouse to agree on your issues. They don’t make any legal decisions, but help facilitate healthy communication. If you and your ex can agree, you’ll submit your agreement to the court for final approval. If you can’t agree, the case will proceed to court, where a judge will have the final say.

Hire a Riverside Medical Professionals Divorce Lawyer to Represent Your Case

Reach out to one of our four offices today to learn how we can help you. Edgar & Dow is proud to work with our California neighbors and community members, helping them get through challenging times in life.

We’re here to support medical professionals in all facilities, including Riverside Community Hospital and Riverside University Health System Medical Center. Our Riverside medical professionals divorce lawyers offer free consultations to residents of Riverside and surrounding California cities.