Adame Paralegals

Divorce, Legal Separation, or Annulment

Individuals seeking to terminate a marital or domestic partner relationship have the option to petition the court for a dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, or annulment. Resolution of ancillary issues such as child custody, visitation, support obligations, and the apportionment of marital assets and debts may also be determined within these cases.

Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

Divorce is the legal action a married person files to terminate their marriage. Besides returning both parties to single status, the court determines all related issues: child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, and the division of all marital property (assets and debts).

Legal Separation

A Legal Separation is filed by a married person who wants to resolve all marital issues but remain legally married. The court will issue comprehensive orders for custody, support, and property division. However, if the other spouse (Respondent) requests a Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) in their response, the court will grant the divorce.

Spousal Support

Once a case for divorce or legal separation is filed, the court has the authority to consider spousal support. However, there is no legal obligation for one party to pay the other until a formal court order is issued. To get this order, a party must formally request a hearing. In very specific circumstances, the court can also order support in a nullity (annulment) action.

Nullity of Marriage

​A Nullity of Marriage is a legal action filed to have a marriage declared void, legally returning the parties to the status of unmarried persons. The Petitioner must satisfy the court by proving that one of the required conditions for nullity has been met. The court retains jurisdiction to issue orders regarding property, debt, custody, and support.

Custody & Visitation

To address the custody and visitation of minor children, an underlying legal action must be filed. If the parents are married, one parent must initiate a case for dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, or nullity. If the parents are unmarried, one parent must file an action to establish the parental relationship (Paternity Action).

Domestic Partnership (Dissolution/Legal Separation/Nullity)

This legal proceeding allows an individual in a Registered Domestic Partnership (including equivalent partnerships recognized from other jurisdictions) to seek a court order for the Termination, Legal Separation, or Nullity of that partnership.

Child Support

​To establish a child support order, a parent must first file an underlying action: either a Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Nullity (if married), or an action to Establish Parental Relationship (if unmarried). A legal obligation to pay child support does not exist until a court order is obtained through a requested hearing.