I am an orange county, California divorce lawyer and this article is one in a series that explains and details the divorce process. Subscribe to my newest newsletter today, which is linked below, and you will have access to all of my articles. This information is not intended as and should not be relied upon as legal advice or the creation of an attorney-client relationship. However, please feel free to contact me at Jon@OC-family lawyers.com to set up a free, confidential half-hour consultation. Thank you for reading.

Divorces sometimes occur suddenly but most of the time a result from conflict that occurs over a very long period of time.

Regardless of how it happens, you must take these steps to protect your children, your finances, and yourself. And remember there is a right way and a wrong way. Follow these steps and you will protect your interests in a manner that is reasonable and fair.

Unfortunately, in divorce one of the spouses is at a disadvantage because of that suffers due to an equal bargaining power. follow these steps, however, and you won't be disadvantaged. Any utopian world, your new spouse would work everything out fairly calm sometimes though these proceedings become adversary. The tips below will help you protect your interests. Note, however, you should make a good faith effort to work things out and compromise before acting recklessly.

To protect your children, if you have them, you must (1) get a TRO; (2) not allow your spouse to take the kids and leave; (3); stay in the family home and (4) insist on a 50-50 split for parenting time. First, Get a Temporary Restraining Order that explicitly prevents your spouse from taking the children out of state. You do not want to be fighting for custody across state lines. Doing this helps with the Second item, not allowing your spouse to take the kids and run. Third, if you move out you might be doing serious detriment to getting custody.

if you already moved out, however, move back in today. While this may cause additional stress you will be safeguarding your custody rights. Fourth, do not agree to less than 50% custody. Your spouse doesn't have a better right or greater right to custody and you do. Furthermore, if you agree to less than 50% custody you will be setting a precedent for the future. Insist upon a 50% split.

To protect your finances and yourself: make sure to visit my website that has the rest of this article in its entirety. And while you're there make sure to sign up for my newsletter! Thank you. Very truly yours, Jon D. Alexander, Esq.