Faqs

California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized — meaning no California divorce can be completed in less than six months. An uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all issues can be finalized relatively quickly after the waiting period ends. A contested divorce — where parties dispute property, custody, or support — can take one to three years or longer. Mediation and collaborative law can significantly reduce the timeline and cost.

Board-certified family law specialists represent the top 1% of California family law attorneys — attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge, experience, and ethical standards as recognized by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. While any licensed attorney can handle family law cases, a board-certified specialist brings a higher level of expertise to complex matters involving property division, child custody, and support. Donald Glen Haslam of Haslam Perri Law Firm is board-certified in family law.

Yes. California is a community property state — meaning all assets and debts acquired during the marriage generally belong equally to both spouses and must be divided 50/50 in a divorce. Separate property — assets owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance — is not subject to division. However, the lines between community and separate property can become complex over time. Our attorneys ensure every asset is properly characterized and fairly divided.

A legal separation allows spouses to live apart and resolve financial issues without terminating the marriage — meaning neither spouse can remarry. A divorce permanently ends the marriage. Legal separation may be preferable when spouses want to retain healthcare benefits, file joint tax returns, maintain Social Security eligibility, or have religious objections to divorce. California has no residency requirement for legal separation — unlike divorce, which requires six months of state residency.

The best interests of the child is the legal standard California courts use to make all child custody and visitation decisions. Judges consider the child’s health, safety, and welfare; each parent’s relationship with the child; the child’s ties to school, community, and extended family; any history of domestic violence or substance abuse; and — for older children — the child’s own stated preferences. At Haslam Perri Law Firm, we build every custody case around this standard.

California uses the Dissomaster formula — a state-mandated software program — to calculate guideline child support. The formula considers both parents’ gross monthly income, the percentage of time each parent spends with the child, tax filing status, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other allowable deductions. Courts are required to follow the guideline amount in most cases. Our attorneys ensure the formula is applied with accurate, complete financial data — protecting your child’s interests.

Yes. Either parent can petition San Bernardino Superior Court to modify a custody or support order when there has been a material change in circumstances — such as a significant income change, job loss, relocation, a change in the child’s needs, or a change in parenting time. Modifications are not automatic and require a formal court order. Our attorneys handle post-judgment modifications throughout San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

California law requires both spouses to fully and accurately disclose all assets and debts. Deliberately hiding assets is a serious violation — and under California Family Code Section 1101, courts may award the entire concealed asset to the other spouse as a sanction. Our attorneys work with forensic accountants to investigate bank records, business financials, and investment accounts to uncover hidden or underreported assets. If you suspect concealment, contact us immediately.

Not necessarily. Many California divorces are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law — without ever setting foot in a courtroom. When both parties can agree on property, custody, and support issues, a settlement agreement is submitted to the court for approval without a contested hearing. However, when issues cannot be resolved out of court, our experienced trial attorneys are fully prepared to litigate in San Bernardino Superior Court on your behalf.