Divorce and Legal Separation

Divorce

The divorce process can be challenging. Choosing the right attorney is critical. By choosing Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks, you will have guidance throughout the process and your questions answered.

The filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage starts the divorce proceedings. Once the case gets underway, the next step is the exchange of financial disclosures. Spouses are required to exchange financial disclosures, so that they can be assured that all information relating to each other’s assets, debts, income, and expenses is known. Thorough and complete financial disclosures are essential to resolving a case.

Some cases require further information gathering, known as discovery. Using various discovery tools, such as interrogatories, depositions, and document demands, Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks has extensive experience in gathering information through discovery to give clients greater understanding of the issues impacting their divorce cases.

Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks strives to bring about a resolution that does not require Court intervention, as the client has greater control of the outcome if he or she can resolve it out of Court. The Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks will work with the client in achieving resolution out of Court, including through mediation, settlement conferences, and written settlement offers.

Some cases, however, must go to trial. Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks is prepared to handle the rigors of litigation and works with clients in creating a trial plan that best tells the client’s story and demonstrate how the law supports the client’s desired outcome.

Legal Separation

Legal Separation follows the same process as a divorce proceeding. A client may prefer legal separation to divorce for a variety of reasons. Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks offers representation of clients in legal separation matters.

Like a divorce proceeding, a legal separation proceeding starts with the filing of a petition with the court. A spouse who receives a petition for legal separation has the option of agreeing to legal separation or seeking divorce. Presuming legal separation is a shared goal of the spouses, the case then moves to the next phase, which is the exchange of financial disclosures.

As with a divorce proceeding, thorough and complete financial disclosures are essential to resolution of a legal separation case. Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks works with clients in completing financial disclosure forms and reviewing those prepared by the other spouse.

Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks’ goal is a swift resolution of the case. If settlement can be achieved, the Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks works with clients in assessing the settlement options.

If resolution out of court cannot occur, Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks works with clients to develop a successful trial strategy, including the presentation of documentary evidence and witness testimony.

In The News

  • Courthouse Legacy Foundation's Conservation Project Moves Forward

    Wed, Dec 30, 2020

    Renee M Fairbanks, President of Courthouse Legacy Foundation, Oversees Completion of Phase I of R...

  • Renee M. Fairbanks is elected president of Courthouse Legacy Foundation

    Tue, Apr 28, 2020

    Renee M. Fairbanks is the new president of the Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation. Fairbanks was elected president by the foundation's board on April 21. The Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and educational legacy of the historic Santa Barbara Courthouse.

  • Santa Barbara County Superior Court Closures

    Wed, Mar 18, 2020

    On Monday, March 16, 2020, Hon. Michael Carrozzo, presiding judge of the Santa Barbara Superior Court, issued an order closing the Court for all but essential functions through April 3, 2020.

  • Renee M. Fairbanks accepted as Fellow with American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

    Mon, Dec 16, 2019

    Renee M. Fairbanks, a certified specialist, was recently admitted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). The AAML is organization comprised of highly skilled family law attorneys throughout the country. Ms. Fairbanks is thrilled to be accepted in such a prestigious group of professionals.

  • Renee M. Fairbanks will be speaking at Cal-CPA Family Law Conference

    Wed, Oct 09, 2019

    Renee M. Fairbanks, CFLS, will be speaking at the upcoming Cal-CPA Family Law Conference. Ms. Fairbanks and forensic accountant, Marie Ebersbacher, CPA, ABV, CFF, CFE, will be speaking on business apportionment after Marriage of Brooks. The conference will be held on October 17, 2019 in Los Angeles and October 18, 2019 in San Francisco. Information on enrollment can be found here. http://conferences.calcpa.org/family-law-conference/

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