Fairfield Divorce Law Firm

Fairfield Attorneys

Some divorces are quiet. Others explode. In Fairfield, we’ve seen both. No matter how it starts, divorce changes everything. Griffith Young works to protect what matters in the fallout. That might mean keeping the house. It might mean shielding a child from harm. It might just mean getting some peace. We don’t drag cases out. We don’t make promises we can’t keep. We tell the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. Divorce forces big choices fast. We make sure they’re the right ones. Because once the papers are signed, people need a future they can live with.

Client Testimonials: Our Divorce Success Stories

Protecting Children During Divorce in Fairfield

Kids pick up on tension even when no one says a word. In Fairfield, children often feel the weight of a divorce long before custody is even discussed. Griffith Young keeps their needs front and center. We ask hard questions. Who’s home more? Who handles school, meals, bedtime? We build parenting plans that give children structure and love. Some situations require supervised visits. Others work best with shared time. We don’t force a one-size plan. We listen. We ask. We protect. Because childhood shouldn’t be shaped by court orders and conflict.

How Divorce Impacts Kids in Fairfield

Kids don’t always say what they feel. But they watch. They listen. And in divorce, they carry more than they should. In Fairfield, we’ve seen young kids blame themselves. Older kids act out. Teenagers shut down. Griffith Young never forgets this part. We keep children at the center of every decision. We push for schedules that let them feel stable. We ask who picks them up. Where they sleep. How holidays work. The goal isn’t equal time. It’s meaningful time. We help build routines that support emotional health. Because children deserve more than a calendar. They deserve peace.

We Can Handle All Issues in Divorce

Divorcing couples do more than arrange a custody agreement. They also need to make important choices regarding:

• Child support. California has guidelines which courts use to set the child support order. However, parents sometimes pay more than the guideline amount to account for a child’s special needs or for other reasons. Sometimes a spouse might deliberately suppress their earning potential to lower their obligation, and we can work to ensure your ex pays a fair share.
• Division of property. California is a community property state. The assets a couple obtains while married are usually considered community property, which both spouses have an equal right to when they divorce. We can work with clients to analyze whether assets are community assets or one spouse’s separate property.
• Spousal support. One spouse might request continuing financial support, even after divorce. California law treats short term marriages differently than those that lasted more than 10 years. We have advocated for spouses on both sides of these disputes.
• Post-divorce issues. Some post-divorce issues include enforcing a child custody or support order, as well as modifying an order. Courts usually require a showing of a substantial change to warrant a modification.

Griffth Young has represented clients from all walks of life. Our experience includes gay divorce, military divorce, and divorce for entrepreneurs and high-net worth couples. Each divorce presents its own legal problems, so hire a law firm which is flexible and knows how to adapt. Call us to learn more about how a Fairfield divorce lawyer can help.

Divorcing a Resistant Spouse

As a civil action, divorce proceedings require the participation of both sides. However, your spouse might refuse to sign the divorce papers or could be missing.

Some of our clients seek a default divorce when their spouse refuses to participate or cannot be found. This is a complex process. Work with an attorney to ensure you perform a diligent search for them. Our Fairfield divorce lawyers can document our search efforts and ultimately seek to serve notice through publication.

A resistant spouse cannot derail a divorce. Nonetheless, sensitive legal advice is helpful. A court will carefully review all evidence before moving ahead with a default divorce.

Ending a Marriage without Breaking the Bank

At Griffith Young, we work with many clients seeking divorce without burning through the last of their savings. In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all important issues and sign an agreement, which they submit to a judge for approval.

However, reaching an agreement can take a lot of work. We have experience helping clients with negotiation and mediation. These techniques are often useful for getting spouses on the same page so they can bring their dispute to a quick resolution.

Discuss your financial concerns with your legal team. Divorce is expensive. Men and women often struggle after divorce, at least initially, as they adjust to a one-person household. We work efficiently to advance our client’s interests in a divorce proceeding without incurring unnecessary expense.

Can You Speed Up the Divorce Process in CA?

Yes, there are several ways to potentially hasten the divorce process in California. While the minimum time for a divorce to be finalized is six months due to the state’s “cooling off” period, certain strategies can help prevent unnecessary delays.

• Consider an uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse can agree on all issues—such as property division, child custody, and support—before going to court, you can save a significant amount of time. An uncontested divorce avoids lengthy, and often contentious, legal battles.
• Use California Family Law Code 271. This code can be used to hold a spouse’s attorney accountable for causing unreasonable delays. If the other party is dragging out the case without a good reason, this code can be used to pressure them to move forward and may even result in an award of legal fees to you for the unnecessary prolongation of the case.
• Communicate effectively. Open and honest communication with your spouse can help you both agree on a timeline for the divorce. If this is not possible, it is essential to have an experienced and efficient family law attorney who will handle your case with a sense of urgency.
• Be aware of the “cooling off” period. The earliest a divorce can be finalized in California is six months after the petition is served. This period is a legal requirement and cannot be expedited. It is meant to give parties time to reconsider their decision. If you and your spouse reconcile during this time, you can simply drop the case.

FAQs From Fairfield Clients

How does child custody get decided in a Fairfield divorce?

Child custody decisions come down to one thing—what’s best for the kids. That’s the rule in every Fairfield courtroom. Judges look at where the child feels safest, who’s been the main caregiver, and whether either parent is creating stress or conflict. If there’s no agreement between parents, the court steps in. That can lead to a custody evaluation. Someone might visit the homes, talk to the child, and give a report to the judge. We’ve seen cases where one detail—a child’s routine, a school, or a trusted babysitter—tips the decision. If there’s been abuse, even verbal or emotional, the court takes that seriously. If both parents are stable, the court may go with joint custody. That means they share time and decisions. But joint custody doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split. Sometimes one parent has more time, depending on work schedules or school needs.

Will I have to pay spousal support after divorce in Fairfield?

Maybe. In Fairfield, the court looks at income, the length of the marriage, and how each spouse lived during the relationship. If one person stayed home or gave up work to support the other, that matters. If one earns a lot more, the court might order payments. But spousal support doesn’t last forever. It’s meant to give someone time to adjust. In shorter marriages, support might only last a few months. In longer ones, it could go for years. But even then, things can change. If someone gets a new job or remarries, support may stop. We’ve handled many support cases where numbers on a paycheck didn’t tell the full story. Judges want to see the full picture. That’s why we gather details, not just bank statements. Griffith Young pushes for fair terms, whether someone’s paying or receiving. We make sure support isn’t used as punishment or reward. It’s about fairness, not revenge.

What if I want to keep the house after divorce in Fairfield?

Keeping the house depends on what you can afford and what’s fair. In Fairfield, property is usually split equally unless there’s a strong reason not to. If the house was bought during the marriage, it likely belongs to both spouses. One person can keep it, but the other must be paid their share. That might mean refinancing or giving up something else—like retirement funds or another asset. We’ve seen people fight hard for a house they couldn’t afford, only to lose it later. We don’t want that for our clients. At Griffith Young, we ask the right questions. Can you keep up with the mortgage? Will the house help or hurt your future? Sometimes, selling and splitting the money makes more sense. Other times, keeping the house gives kids stability. Every case is different. We lay out your options clearly and push for the best one, not just the emotional one.

Can I change the divorce agreement later in Fairfield?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. If something big changes—like income, housing, or a child’s needs—you can ask the court to update the agreement. That’s called a post-judgment modification. In Fairfield, we see this happen when someone loses a job, moves, or remarries. Child support, custody, and visitation are the most common parts to change. But you can’t modify just because you’re unhappy. You need a real reason and proof. Judges look at stability. If a parent wants more custody, they must show it benefits the child. If someone paying support suddenly makes less money, they can request a change. We’ve handled many modifications for both sides. Griffith Young builds strong cases to show the court what’s changed and why it matters. But timing is key. The longer someone waits, the harder it gets to fix old terms. Don’t let a bad agreement drag on. The law gives you a chance to make it right.

Can I waive child support during a divorce?

Some parents want to give up child support to avoid a fight. It might feel easier in the moment. But child support is not about the parents. It’s for the child. Judges look out for what’s best for the child, not what’s convenient in the divorce. Waiving support can cause trouble later. If one parent loses a job or stops helping, there may be no way to fix it. The court might not reopen that part of the agreement. Support helps pay for food, clothes, school, and a safe place to live. Without it, the parent who takes care of the child most of the time may struggle to keep up. It’s not just about money. It’s about safety and stability. Letting go of that support can leave the child with less. Even if the other parent seems reliable now, things can change. Giving up support to keep the peace might feel like the right thing to do. But the peace doesn’t last if it leaves the child without enough. Think about what helps the child most, not just what ends the argument fastest.

Protecting Children During Divorce in Fairfield

Your children are like tender saplings. Divorce can feel like a harsh wind threatening to uproot them. We know your deepest concern is your children’s well-being. Divorce changes everything for them. It is our promise to help protect their hearts and their future. We work to create stable environments. We fight for sensible custody plans. We aim to reduce conflict in front of them. We remind everyone involved that children are not property. They are innocent souls caught in a storm. We seek to give them a peaceful future. We are here to be their voice. Talk to us about protecting your children. Reach out for a consultation.