If you or a loved one is going through a legal separation process, our legal separation attorneys in Santa Barbara can help. At the Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, PLC, we understand the intricacies of family law in California. Thanks to our many years of experience, we can help you understand the process and guide you from beginning to end. To learn more about your case in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (805) 643-5555.
Filing for a Legal Separation in Santa Barbara, CA
Filing for a legal separation in Santa Barbara, California requires you to meet specific requirements of the state of California. For instance, you will need to submit Form FL-100, which is the official request form for a legal separation. In the form, you will need to provide essential information, such as your property or properties and any children you may have.
Additionally, you will need to comply with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) if you have children under the age of 18. Once you have filed the required paperwork, you will then need to pay the court fees for your request. Once everything is presented correctly to the court, you will need to serve a copy of the application to your spouse through a person who is at least 18 years of age.
You should keep in mind that, to request a legal separation in California, you will need to request it based on the same basis as a divorce. This means you will need to base your lawful separation request either on irreconcilable differences or a permanent legal incapacity to make decisions. A person can only request a legal separation based on these two requirements because California is a “no-fault” state which only leaves a petitioner with these two choices.
