Heidi Montag has retained a Southern California divorce lawyer and plans to quickly terminate her marriage with husband, Spencer Pratt. Montag and Pratt, stars of MTV television show “The Hills,” have been married since April 25, 2009. Montag filed for legal separation on June 8, 2010.
Under California law, a legal separation is a court action that maintains the bond of marriage, but releases the spouses from the rights and responsibilities associated with marriage. Thus, though the spouses cannot legally marry another person while separated, any property that they acquire during separation is their separate property. Legal separation is commonly a prelude to formal marriage dissolution.
According to sources close to Montag and Pratt, they plan to file a divorce mediation. A divorce mediation is a faster and less costly alternative to typical divorce court proceedings. As compared to divorce court proceedings, where a judge rules on the issues, in a divorce mediation, a neutral family law expert fosters resolution of issues by mutual agreement. Since mediation encourages cooperation between parties, there is less need for costly litigation of divorce rights.
If you or someone you know is going through a legal separation or divorce, it is important to have a family law attorney who will defend your property distribution, child custody, and child and spousal support rights. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years experience in family law. Call us today at (888) 280-6839. We will be there when you call.
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