Helping You Find the Best Path Forward
Bakersfield Divorce Lawyer
Experienced & Dedicated Divorce Representation in Kern County
Filing for divorce is daunting. From collecting documents to considering how your marriage's dissolution could impact your personal relationships and financial stability, navigating the divorce process can be exhausting.
To work with a Kern County divorce attorney on your case, contact us online or via phone at (661) 760-2872.
Our Divorce Attorney - Kern County
At Divorced by Design, our experienced, compassionate Kern County divorce lawyers are here to help you every step of the way. We'll work with you to customize a case strategy to your needs, fighting for your rights and providing you with the skilled legal representation you deserve. Having a divorce attorney by your side can be of tremendous help for all parties involved.
Your lawyer will provide you with the clarity, support, and legal guidance that you need to effectively get you through this challenging time. Your attorney will also be able to help you with various family law matters, such as child support and child custody, to help to ensure a smooth divorce process.
Requirements to File for Divorce in California
To file for a divorce in California:
- You or your spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months;
- You or your spouse must have lived in the county where you file for divorce for at least three months.
In a divorce, there are two parties. The party who files for divorce is called the "petitioner," while the other party is called the "respondent."
The petitioner must file the following forms:
- FL-100, a Petition for Dissolution of the marriage.
- FL-110, a Summons.
- FL-115, a Proof of Service of Summons.
The Petition for Dissolution contains the bulk of the information about the divorce, including why the petitioner wants the divorce. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that the petitioner only needs to cite "irreconcilable differences" with their spouse as the reason for filing for divorce. The Petition for Dissolution also contains the terms the petitioner wants for the divorce, such as proposed terms for property division, child custody and support, and spousal support or alimony.
The Summons form acts to notify the respondent of the divorce filing and summon them to court for hearings (if necessary). The petitioner needs to serve the respondent with the divorce forms, after which they can file a Proof of Service of Summons to verify that the respondent was notified of the divorce.
After receiving the Summons, the respondent can file a Response to the Petition for Dissolution. If the respondent does not file a Response, the court can award the petitioner with a default judgment.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced divorce attorney in Kern County, contact us online or via phone at (661) 760-2872.
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Would recommend him 100x
“Mr. Rice went above and beyond for my parents. He answered all of our questions and made us feel very comfortable and at ease! Would recommend him 100x.”
- Chelsey Crump -
He’s a man of his word and he takes the worry out of this process
“I highly recommend Garrett Rice if you need a divorce attorney. Divorce can be chaotic and stressful but not with him. He’s a man of his word and he takes the worry out of this process. his office is very responsive and they are with you every step of the way! Garrett goes above and beyond!!!”
- Whitney Rainwater -
Garret represented my case with the utmost professionalism and care
“Garret represented my case with the utmost professionalism and care. I really felt that he provided a personal touch with his representation. I thoroughly believe that without his knowledge and litigation expertise, I would have had a different outcome in my case.”
- Nick Lidgett -
Whether you need your divorce handled with white gloves or a shark in the court Garrett is your man!
“Mr. Rice is an amazing lawyer not only was he efficient he listened to my needs and the needs of my children and executed them perfectly in court. He’s a no-nonsense lawyer with a proven track record. Whether you need your divorce handled with white gloves or a shark in the court Garrett is your man! I will definitely recommend him to any and everyone I know! I’ve had 2 other lawyers in Bakersfield and no one is even close to as good as him. He’s the smartest person in the room by far and doesn’t accept the games played in family court.”
- Justin Debrum -
Garrett is a very compassionate and understanding attorney
“Garrett is a very compassionate and understanding attorney. He is not in it for the money but only for the best interest of you and your family. He will not give you false hopes during the case. Garrett is always prepared for court, speaks very direct, dresses very nicely and is presentable for court, and is highly favored by the judges. Every time we went to court we received the results we wanted and he did all the talking. He defends you in and out of court when the other side wants to get out of line. I love that he gives his clients his direct number and you can contact him directly whenever. We are very seasoned with the attorneys here in Bakersfield, and 98% of them are money hungry, have no interest in your case (but they will fake it to get your money), and will continue your case for years which equals thousands of dollars you will never see again. So! If you are looking for an attorney who will get the job done and genuinely cares about you or are debating changing attorneys because they fall in that 98% category, GARRETT IS YOUR MAN! You’ll thank me later 😉”
- Camille Elijah
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Family-CenteredOur team is here to shoulder the legal burden of your case so that you can focus on caring for your family.
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Free ConsultationsWe understand you have questions, our firm provides free consultations to help get you started in the right direction.
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Flexible SchedulesWe understand that dealing with a family law dispute is never easy. We want to help ease that burden by making ourselves available when you need us most.
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Customized StrategiesOur attorneys will customize their strategy to you and your needs, helping you identify and pursue a positive resolution in your case.
Take the First Step With Our Firm
Call 661-760-2872 Or Fill Out the Form to Get Started With Your Consultation