Once you have paid your $320.00 filing fee and filed the initial paperwork to get the dissolution process started, after service of the other party has been completed, a typical divorce case usually proceeds in the following five steps:

1. Order to Show Cause Hearing
2. Discovery
3. Settlement Offer
4. Mandatory Settlement Conference
5. Trial

Please see the additional information section of this site for a more in-depth discussion of each of the above steps.

Your initial request for custody/visitation will include a mandatory mediation appointment with Family Court Services. No attorneys are present at the mediation and it is just you, your ex-spouse, and the mediator deciding what visitation plan is in the best interest of your children. If you do not come to an agreement with your spouse, the mediator will make a written recommendation to the Court as to what he/she believes is best for your children. This office does offer mediation preparation so that you are prepared for the mediation prior to meeting with the mediator.

Initial, temporary child and spousal support is calculated using a computer program. This office utilizes the Dissomaster program which is comparable to that used by the San Diego County Courts and we can give a rough estimate of what you will be paying or receiving prior to going to court.

Step-parent adoptions are filed in the Juvenile court and can take up to one year from the date of filing to complete. The process consists of an investigation and interview by Social Services prior to the finalization of the adoption. All paperwork can be completed in our office and submitted for filing the same day, but when you get your interview is completely up to Social Services.