Divorce Paperwork Signing Requirements

Summary

In California, youre not required to sign divorce papers, but refusal can delay the process. If you dont sign, your spouse can request a default judgment. It typically takes at least six months for a divorce to be finalized. Your lawyer can potentially prolong the process, but this may increase legal costs. Hiding assets during a divorce is illegal and can have severe consequences. Transferring a 401k into a life insurance policy during a divorce could be viewed as hiding assets. Reducing your income intentionally to affect alimony or child support calculations could be viewed unfavorably by the court. Consult with your attorney for personalized advice.

Full Conversation

well its a divorce question. I live in California and my wife came home and told me that she got a lawyer abd she wants a divorce. then her lawyer called me and told me that i need to sign the paper work for the divorce. my question is do i have to sign those papers? what happens if i dont and it goes to a judge correct? how long before it goes to court.
In California:
- You're not required to sign divorce papers, but not signing could delay the process.
- If you refuse to sign, your spouse can request a default judgment from the court.
- It typically takes at least six months for a divorce to be finalized after it's filed.
Consider consulting with your own attorney for personalized advice.
can my lawyer prlong it>
Yes, your lawyer can potentially prolong the process through various legal strategies. However, this could also increase your legal costs. It's best to discuss your options directly with your attorney.
i have a 401k right now can i out that in a trust right now .or to hide my assets legaly?
In California, hiding assets during a divorce is illegal and can have severe consequences. However, placing your 401k in a trust requires careful consideration and professional advice. Consult with your attorney for personalized advice.
what if i were to put it into a life insurance policy? UIL , and if i was already in the process of doing that would that still be ilegal?
In California:
- Transferring 401k into a life insurance policy during a divorce could be viewed as hiding assets, which is illegal.
- If you started this before knowing about the divorce, it might be different.
Discuss this with your attorney for best advice.
i work * jobs right now. should i start working less?
In California, reducing your income intentionally to affect alimony or child support calculations could be viewed unfavorably by the court. It's best to maintain your current employment status and consult with your attorney for personalized advice.