Riverside Divorce Attorneys

Maybe your spouse just filed, and you don’t know what happens next. Maybe you’re facing a contested custody fight over your kids, or trying to untangle a business you built together.

Whatever brought you here, you’re being asked to make life-changing decisions about your children, your finances, your future at the exact moment you’re least equipped to make them clearly.

At the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, our Riverside divorce attorneys have spent more than three decades helping people in exactly this position make those decisions with confidence instead of panic.

Divorce is usually both complicated and stressful. However, choosing the right attorney can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case.

The divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey in Riverside have extensive experience with all types of divorce cases, including contested divorces involving multiple children and shared businesses and mutual divorces with minimal shared assets.

Want to explore options for your future? Let’s talk! Call us today for a free initial consultation with our Riverside divorce team.

We Listen and We Help You Fight For What Matters Most

Riverside divorce lawyer Catherine A. Schwartz (the founder of our Riverside, California, law office) provides dedicated legal representation. Over more than three decades of practice, she has achieved success in securing satisfactory outcomes on behalf of our clients in various aspects of a divorce action, including:

• Child custody and visitation
• Child support
• Spousal support/alimony
• Property division
• Domestic violence

Attorney Christina L. Godbey brings additional experience to the custody disputes that often come up during a divorce. She serves as a Court-Approved Minor’s Counsel and Special Master in Riverside County, which is a court-appointed role given to attorneys trusted to represent a child’s own interests directly in the most contested custody matters.

No matter how complex or simple you think your separation could be, unexpected surprises and a breakdown of communication can catch many people off guard. Hiring an experienced divorce attorney can help you work toward leaving your marriage on fair terms, while also reducing the chances of emotionally charged arguments.
Protect your financial and emotional future by investing in an attorney who has your back throughout the entire process. Call our legal team today!

A Dedicated Riverside Legal Separation Lawyer And Divorce Attorney

Individualized legal advocacy is paramount when a couple decides to end a marriage. Some pursue divorce while others find benefit in legal separation. Riverside family law attorney Catherine A. Schwartz spends time with her clients to assess their specific issues and objectives. Some consider marriage counseling or therapy. Others choose legal separation or an annulment.

When you choose to work with the divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, we take the time to get to know you, your circumstances, and your goals for ending your marriage.

We will meticulously review all the documentation and available evidence to work toward a fair division of your property and help make the process as easy as possible for everyone involved. If you have multiple options available for ending your marriage, we can help you choose the method that’s most financially advantageous to you.

Ready to talk through your options? Call us today for a free initial consultation with our Riverside divorce team.

Important Things to Know About Divorce in Riverside, California

California has relatively straightforward laws when it comes to ending a marriage. Unlike other states that make division of marital property a complicated process, California uses a community property system.

Essentially, all income earned by both spouses during the course of the marriage and all property and debts obtained during the marriage qualify as community property to be split evenly upon the breakup. The only exceptions to this community property rule include property owned by either spouse prior to entering the marriage, individual inheritances, and gifts.

This general rule comes from California Family Code § 760, and the separate-property exceptions are set out in Family Code § 770.

Another critical factor in any divorce in Riverside, CA, is child custody. If a divorcing couple has children, the court has a duty to determine a child custody arrangement that is in the children’s best interests. This is one area that can lead to serious disagreements.

The Riverside divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey can help you maintain a reasonable and realistic outlook on child custody and make your case for child custody based on the best interests of your children, their preferences, and what is ultimately best for your family.

How Long Does a Divorce Take in Riverside?

California will not finalize a divorce right away, even in a simple case. To file, you or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Riverside County for at least three months, under Family Code § 2320.

Once you file, the law also requires a six-month “cooling off” period measured from the date your spouse is served, under Family Code § 2339. That means the earliest any Riverside divorce can become final is six months and one day after service, even when both spouses agree on everything. Cases involving disputes over property, custody, or support usually take longer.

Nationally, the divorce rate has been falling for years. In 2024, married women divorced at a rate of 14.2 per 1,000, the lowest rate recorded in more than five decades. That national trend doesn’t change the legal process here in Riverside — the residency rule and waiting period apply the same way whether your case is simple or contested.

Choosing the Best Way to End Your Riverside, CA Marriage

California allows for several methods of ending a marriage, including:

• Legal separation, which allows a couple to live separately but remain married to one another. In some cases, this allows the separated couple to maintain marital benefits without living together and may secure enforceable court orders that separate their finances. Neither separated spouse may remarry or enter domestic partnership with another person while legally separated.
• Divorce, which is the official cancellation of a marriage. Unlike a legal separation, a divorce officially terminates marital status and compels the divorcing couple to separate their assets and property. Following a marriage breakup, both former spouses are free to enter into new domestic partnerships or remarry.
• Annulment. This method of ending a marriage typically only applies to marriages that were invalid from the beginning, such as cases of bigamy or a minor marrying without parental permission, or a marriage conducted with falsified documents. An annulment designates a marriage as invalid. An annulment suggests the marriage never legally existed.

Regardless of your decision, Catherine A. Schwartz will advise you on your options and rights. From the moment she takes on your contested divorce, she devotes all of her efforts and employs all of the firm’s resources to secure the results you need. From tax implications to domestic violence, she remains at your side.

You deal with the personal matters. At the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, we take care of the legal “heavy lifting.”

Filing Your Divorce in Riverside County

Riverside County divorces are filed and heard at the Riverside Family Law Courthouse, located at 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. If you want to understand court forms or procedure before you hire an attorney, the courthouse’s Self-Help Center can answer general procedural questions, though its staff cannot give you legal advice about your specific case. 

Our office can review your full situation and represent you directly throughout these proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside Divorce

How long does it take to get divorced in California?

At least six months and one day after your spouse is served with the divorce petition, under Family Code § 2339. Contested cases involving property, custody, or support often take longer.

Do I need a reason to file for divorce in California?

No. California is a no-fault state, so you only need to state that you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences.

How is property divided in a Riverside divorce?

California is a community property state, so most property and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided evenly, with exceptions for separate property such as gifts, inheritances, and property owned before the marriage.

What’s the difference between divorce and legal separation?

Legal separation lets you resolve property, custody, and support issues while staying legally married. Divorce ends the marriage completely and lets both spouses remarry.

Can I get divorced in California if my spouse won’t respond?

Yes. If your spouse does not respond within the required time, you can generally ask the court for a default judgment so your case can move forward.

Do I have to meet a residency requirement to file for divorce in Riverside?

Yes. You or your spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Riverside County for three months before filing, under Family Code § 2320.

What happens to child custody during a Riverside divorce?

The court decides custody and visitation based on the best interests of the children, weighing factors like each parent’s ability to care for the children and, depending on their age, the children’s own preferences.

Do I need to go to court for my divorce?

Many uncontested cases can be resolved mostly through paperwork and, in some instances, a brief hearing. Contested cases involving custody, support, or significant assets are more likely to require court appearances.

Contact The Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey For A Free Consultation

Divorce is rarely an easy process, but working with the right attorney in Riverside can make it much easier for everyone involved. The Riverside divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey have the skills and experience to help you through your divorce with greater confidence.

For more information, contact the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey at (951) 338-6199 to schedule a free initial consultation. For the convenience of our clients, we accept appointments on weekends and in the evenings and accept all major credit cards.

Resources: https://www.nolo.com/customer-support/getting-divorced-in-california.html