san diego family law appeals

Family Law Appeals

Can You Appeal Your Divorce Decree?

There are two primary ways in which to challenge a final Judgment or Decree.

  • You can attempt to set aside the Judgment,
  • or you can file an Appeal

How To set aside a Judgment/Decree

You must prove some level of fraud or improper procedure that occurred in obtaining the Judgment. If you achieve this end, the Judgment is set aside and you are starting from scratch as if nothing has happened.

In other words, you would again be married and would need a new Judgment to terminate your marital status, divide your belongings, and determine custody and support.

If this is not an option you may have grounds to file an appeal.

To File an appeal:

Remember, an appeal is not a chance for the Court to redo your case. Instead, it is an opportunity to ask the Court of Appeals to overturn a decision by the lower court or order a new trial based on a proper application of the law to the facts as stated on the record.

The Court of Appeals is there to make sure that the Trial court followed the applicable laws and did not abuse its discretion. This can be a lengthy and expensive process.

Related Reading: Are Your Divorce Records Public?
Related Reading: What Is In A Divorce Decree?
Related Reading: Divorce Discovery Tools

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