If you’re trying to stop your divorce or delay proceedings one of the worst things you can do is skip your court hearing!
Don’t Skip Your Divorce Court Hearing
There are many reasons you may choose to not appear at your divorce court hearing – apathy, anger, depression, or guilt. If you are fighting your divorce, all of these emotions are common. Don’t let these emotions get you further in trouble though.
Failing to Appear in Court
Failure to appear in divorce court legally means you have skipped a scheduled court date without notifying the court. By doing so you can be charged with contempt of court. Additionally, a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest and you may also have to pay a fine.
Not showing up can also give the court a bad impression and allows your spouse to tell the court whatever they want to. When you aren’t there to speak in court, you’re not able to defend yourself. Their testimony will be recorded as part of the record, in addition to the fact that you did not show up. Once something is added to the court record, it can be very hard to disprove it.
Coping with Divorce Emotions
Divorce can obviously bring up a lot of emotions. These emotions can be the hardest part of the process. Do not let them get in the way of the decisions you need to make. Here are some tips for working through this difficult adjustment.
It’s OK to have different feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, anxious, exhausted, frustrated and confused—and these feelings can be intense but will lessen over time.
Take a break. Allow yourself permission to take a break. Chances are you will not have the motivation to do many of the things you used to. No one is superman or superwoman. Take time for yourself to allow yourself to heal, regroup and re-energize.
Don’t go through this alone. Friends and family can help you get through this period. You might also consider joining a support group. Other people have, and are currently going through what you are. In a support group you’ll be able to talk to others in similar situations. Do not isolate yourself. And never be afraid to get outside help if you need it.
Take care of yourself emotionally as well as physically. Exercising, eating well, and relaxing are all crucial at this time. Try to keep to your normal routines as much as possible. Avoid making any major decisions or changes in life plans. This can be hard, but it’s best to avoid turning to alcohol, drugs or cigarettes as a way to cope; they only lead to more problems.
Avoid power struggles and arguments with your spouse or former spouse. Negotiating your relationship with your soon-to-be-exes will be one of the most difficult things you do. Learning how to communicate in a civil way, especially if the relationship has turned contentious, is crucial. If a conversation with your ex begins to turn into a fight, calmly suggest you both try talking again later. It’s okay to take a break from the conversation, whether it be in person, on the phone, or via text or email.
Take time to explore your interests. Reconnect with things you enjoy doing apart from your spouse. Maybe you’ve always been interested in something but you’ve never had the chance to try it out. Sign up for a class or a league, invest time in your hobbies, volunteer, and take the time you have now to enjoy life and make new friends.
Be flexible. As you go through navigating your past-divorce life, you’ll also need to be flexible. This is especially true if you have children with your spouse. Figuring out child visitation, holidays, and new schedules can be difficult. While these schedules should be agreed to and planned, remember that instances will always arise to throw those schedules out of whack. Be flexible when this happens, while understanding that sometimes you will also need to adjust the pre-agreed-to schedule.
Be positive. This is the hardest part, but staying positive can change the entire course of how you deal with the aftermath of your divorce. Be patient with yourself and try to find as much joy in your day as possible.
Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles
The decision to dissolve a marriage should never be taken lightly, nor should the process of deciding on marital property division, spousal support, child support or child custody rights. If you are considering filing for divorce in California or if you have been served divorce papers, your first course of action should be to contact the experienced attorneys at Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles. Our California divorce practice prides itself on aggressively representing the best interests of our clients and our attorneys will work tirelessly to limit the stress, fear, uncertainty and financial difficulties that typically accompany divorce cases. With Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles on your side, you can feel confident that your case will be handled with competence and compassion, from start to finish.
Affordable Los Angeles Divorce Attorney
Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult, stressful and emotionally draining experiences in a person’s life, and hiring an attorney early in the process can help avoid the mistakes that inevitably occur when parties seeking divorce represent themselves in court. The legal system can be confusing for anyone without an extensive legal background and family law cases in particular can become complicated and messy when not dealt with properly. Our attorneys at Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles have the experience and resources necessary to handle high-asset divorces in L.A. and the surrounding areas, and the competence to resolve critical disputes, including those that involve marital property division and child custody and visitation arrangements. Whether your California divorce case requires aggressive negotiation, mediation or representation at trial, hiring a knowledgeable attorney to represent your case can help ease any concerns you may have about the outcome of your case and may even help resolve your case more quickly.
Understanding What Divorce Means for You
According to statistics, nearly 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce, or a dissolution of marriage, and whether your divorce is uncontested or contested – meaning you and your spouse disagree on one or more issues – it’s important to fight for what is rightfully yours once the marriage ends. A failed marriage can be emotionally and financially draining and taking the right steps at the start of a divorce can help you protect your own interests, your children and your finances. Divorces are always easier to get through when both parties make a good faith effort to work together to reach an amicable solution to any potential disagreements, but, sadly, this is rarely the case in today’s divorce proceedings. Because of this fact, hiring an attorney with experience handling California divorce cases should be your first step when considering divorce or after you have been served divorce papers.
Filing an Uncontested Divorce in California
You are also able to file an uncontested divorce in California. An “uncontested divorce” is where you and your spouse reach an uncomplicated resolution to your divorce case. You’re able to file an uncontested divorce if the following apply:
- You and your spouse agree on how to handle property, money, and child custody and visitation. In some cases, this means neither party will need to file a response to court filing.
- Your spouse does not disagree with you on your requests and is not likely to file forms in court saying so. In a situation where the spouse does not file a response, the Petitioner will receive a “default” judgment.
With an uncontested case, you may not need to have the court hear your case. Instead, the case can be handled by mail or by brief contact with the judge or the judge’s clerk.
How an Experienced Divorce Lawyer Can Help
Not all divorce cases in California go to court. In some cases, couples can resolve their divorce disputes through negotiation or mediation, during which an attorney can make sure your best interests are being represented. Too often, couples filing for divorce believe they can handle the proceedings on their own and end up making a bigger mess of their situation than they started with. While we do encourage spouses filing for divorce to reach an agreement outside of court and try to avoid divorce litigation altogether, especially when children are involved, our experienced Los Angeles divorce attorneys can assist with every aspect of the divorce process and will aggressively represent your case before a judge if it comes to that. Whatever the circumstances surrounding your case, we still stand by your side and ensure that your legal rights are protected throughout the process.
Free Divorce Consultation in Los Angles
Divorce proceedings are not always simple and straightforward, especially when children are involved. In many cases, the consequences of a divorce can affect a person for the rest of his or her life, possibly resulting in a significant loss of financial support or reduced child visitation rights. A qualified divorce attorney however, can help you navigate the complex intricacies of family law and can negotiate the best settlement on your behalf. For more information about California divorce law and the divorce process, contact Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles for a risk-free initial consultation. Our main goal as divorce attorneys is to help you evaluate your options under California law and make informed decisions that protect your interests and legal rights. Don’t wait to get help, call our Los Angeles legal team today at (213) 550-4600.
Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles
5455 Wilshire Blvd
21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (213) 550-4600
