Do I Have to Go to Court for a Rancho Cucamonga Divorce?

As if going through a divorce weren’t bad enough, you now have to face the courtroom? Going to court is a big fear for a lot of people, and no wonder. Your entire fate is placed in the hands of complete strangers. 

This is not something that anyone wants to deal with. You especially don’t want your personal life being judged by strangers, and you don’t want your family matters decided by someone else. That is exactly what divorce court is like, though. A judge will make important decisions about your life and your family. 

When you are facing the prospect of going to court, there’s one thing you can do to improve the outcome—team up with a Rancho Cucamonga divorce attorney. A divorce lawyer can help you in the courtroom. They can watch out for your best interests and work to get you the case outcome you’re after.

Why Is Court Necessary When Going Through a Divorce?

Court is not always necessary when going through a divorce. You should talk to your lawyer to see if there are other options available to you. It is possible to resolve a divorce case out of the courtroom. For instance, you could resolve your divorce through negotiations outside of court with or without a mediator.

There are some instances when it really is necessary to go to court. Here are a few examples of those instances.

When Your Ex Refuses to Compromise

Sometimes, no matter how reasonable you are, your ex just refuses to compromise. They want to “get even with you” for the divorce or whatever other problems they think you caused. 

Sometimes, a spouse will refuse to even sign divorce paperwork. It’s tough when situations like this occur. 

However, you should know that in California your divorce can be finalized whether your spouse wants the divorce or not. You might have to go to court to get matters settled, but if you want your divorce, you will get it eventually. A divorce lawyer can help you get your divorce. They can probably help you move the process along more quickly as well.

If Domestic Violence Was Present in the Marriage

When domestic violence issues were present in the marriage, you should probably not try to resolve your divorce outside of court. You really don’t want to deal with your spouse on your own, because more violence could occur. 

Mediation may not be right for you either, because your spouse could try to manipulate you, threaten you, or engage in other domestic violence behaviors. This is one situation when divorce court is probably the best option for you.

If You’ve Tried Mediation But Still Can’t Agree

Sometimes, you try mediation, but you and your spouse still can’t come to a resolution. It may be that you both simply need a neutral third-party to decide on some of your divorce issues for you. The judge can resolve these issues, and you can finally put your divorce in the past.