2650 Camino Del Rio North Suite 301, San Diego, CA 92108
Primus Family Law Group, situated in San Diego, distinguishes itself with over 50 years of collective experience in family law. This firm specializes in divorce, domestic violence, establishment of parental relationships, and premarital agreements. Their approach is notable for zealous advocacy and empathetic client care.
Since opening, they have already received more than 18 awards. Founders and one of the best San Diego, California divorce lawyers Bonnie A. Rabinovitch-Mantel, CFLS, and Kim Marie Staron, Esq, lead a team recognized for their integrity and skill in negotiation and litigation. They offer a 30-minute free phone consultation to help clients figure out if the firm is right for them.
8880 Rio San Diego Dr, 8th Floor, San Diego, CA 92108
Prager Jones law firm specializes in divorce and family law in San Diego, CA. These lawyers handle cases involving military divorce, legal separation, spousal support, property division, child custody, visitation, child support, separation orders, domestic violence restraining orders, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Their approach is client-centered, focusing on quick, cost-effective resolutions. The firm handles high-conflict, uncontested, and mediation cases, ensuring personalized attention. Lead Attorney Steven J. Prager’s experience spans over 12 years, handling more than 500 cases with a success rate above 90%.
3990 Old Town Ave Suite. C105, San Diego, CA 92110
Moshtael Family Law, a noted firm in Southern California, excels in divorce and family law. Their team, led by Navid Moshtael, brings over 185 years of combined experience. They specialize in child custody, spousal support, and high-net-worth divorces. The firm also handles alimony and modifications of court orders and visitation.
They integrate realtors and counselors for a comprehensive strategy in complex cases. Known for client-focused service and ethical practices, Moshtael Family Law serves clients in Irvine, San Diego, and the surrounding areas. Navid Moshtael, recognized with the Clients’ Choice Award 2023 from Avvo, is a reputable San Diego family law attorney, valued for his client satisfaction.
7675 Dagget Street, Suite 140, San Diego, CA 92111
The Law Offices of David C. Beavans, APC in San Diego stands out for its comprehensive expertise in divorce. Led by David C. Beavans, Esq., a Certified Family Law Attorney in San Diego, the firm specializes in mediation, appeals & writs, civil litigation, and divorce matters. Their approach is both settlement-minded and trial-ready.
David C. Beavans reinforces his expertise with San Diego attorney reviews at Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating and recognition as a Top Lawyer in San Diego Magazine. He was the 2022 President of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association. Mr. Beavans is also an Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, teaching Family Law.
9820 Willow Creek Rd Ste 410, San Diego, CA 92131
Scott Levin leads San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law with over 17 years of experience. As a San Diego divorce mediation attorney, he focuses on amicable resolutions, avoiding litigation. Levin’s unique ‘peacekeeping’ approach is trademarked as Chief PeaceKeeper.
The firm, known for its ethical and honest practices, offers services in divorce, eldercare, same-sex, military, and domestic relations. Levin’s expertise as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst aids clients in securing favorable financial settlements. Levin has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2004.
16466 Bernardo Center Dr #260, San Diego, CA 92128
Doppelt and Forney, APLC in San Diego specializes in family law, covering divorce, child custody, support, property valuation, prenuptial agreements, and high-asset divorce. They offer free 30-minute consultations, available in person or virtually.
One of the top divorce lawyers in San Diego, Roy Doppelt has over 30 years of experience in family law and is a 2019 Super Lawyer. Another founder, Damon Forney, a Certified Family Law Specialist, has over 20 years of experience and has a background as a Federal and State Prosecutor. Their combined experience and legal recognition position them to handle complex family law cases.
2635 Camino Del Rio S. Suite 306, San Diego, CA 92108
Embry Family Law P.C. provides expert family law services in San Diego. They handle divorce, paternity, child custody and support, and alimony cases. This firm stands out for its dedicated focus on family dynamics and financial legal matters.
Ben E. Embry, a San Diego divorce attorney and founder, is one of the Certified Family Law Specialists by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Previously, Ben was the managing partner of a full-service law firm. But after realizing that this type of firm couldn’t serve clients the way they deserved, he founded Embry Family Law P.C., where his sole practice is family law.
16644 West Bernardo Drive, Ste. 201, San Diego, CA 92127
Cage & Miles, a California-based law firm, specializes in divorce, child custody, and high net-worth divorces. The firm is recognized for its effective negotiation and litigation skills. Co-founder Shannon B. Miles, a Certified Family Law Specialist since 2014, has earned accolades in Best Lawyers and as a Southern California Superlawyer.
As one of the best divorce lawyers in San Diego, she approaches each case with integrity and personalization. Jaime N. Cage, also a Certified Family Law Specialist, excels in Mediation Advocacy and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Her commitment extends to volunteering for domestic violence victims.
402 W Broadway, 21st Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
Antonyan Miranda, based in San Diego, specializes in diverse family law areas. They handle high-net-worth, military, and international divorces. The firm is skilled in complex custody issues, probate litigation, estate planning, and financial facets of family law. This includes prenuptial agreements and property division.
Their team includes certified specialists in Family and Appellate Law, with an internal forensic accountancy department. Founding Partner Timothy Miranda is a Certified Family Law Specialist with extensive experience in marital dissolution, and domestic violence cases. Despite many awards, SD Metro Magazine recognized founders Tim Miranda and Ilona Antonyan as one of San Diego’s Top Family Lawyers.
3111 Camino Del Rio N Ste 1050, San Diego, CA 92108
Goldberg Jones, a men’s divorce attorney firm in San Diego, specializes in family law, focusing on fathers’ rights. Established in 1996, their expertise includes divorce, custody, child support, property division, appeals, and protective orders.
Managing attorney Zephyr Hill has over 22 years of experience in California family law. He offers a free case analysis with a live conversation directly with him. In total, their team consists of more than 25 attorneys dedicated to the practice of family law, particularly representing husbands and fathers.
Divorce can be difficult, both in emotional and financial terms. In this part, we will streamline this experience by reviewing the cost of San Diego divorce attorney representation, filing with the court, and the process itself. So let’s get started!
In San Diego, CA, hiring a lawyer for a divorce isn’t mandatory, but it can be crucial in these scenarios:
Hiring a divorce attorney in San Diego offers many advantages. For example, they provide expertise in local family law to ensure legal compliance and the protection of your rights. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf, striving for a fair settlement. They also handle the legal paperwork and court representations, reducing stress and potential errors.
Many divorce attorneys in San Diego offer a free consultation, so you can discuss the main points before making a final decision to hire them.
Most lawyers recognize the needs of those seeking a low-cost divorce in San Diego. They provide consultations or check your case at the first meeting to determine what to expect. But the price varies based on many factors. Let’s find out!
The cost of hiring a divorce lawyer in San Diego depends on a few key factors:
Lawyers in San Diego start contested divorce cases with a retainer fee, averaging around $5,000. Then they charge an hourly rate ranging from $300 to $600.
On average, the total cost for legal services in a contested divorce reaches $17,500 in a case with children, and $14,000 without. This is 37% more than the national average cost of a divorce lawyer.
For uncontested divorces, lawyers often opt for a flat fee due to the reduced amount of work required. The average cost for such a divorce in California is about $5,500. But an affordable divorce attorney in San Diego can test your case at a free consultation, and the legal fees will be even lower.
There is a $435 fee for filing for divorce in San Diego Superior Court. This amount is the same for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or nullity.
The fee for filing a response to a divorce petition (including motions to set aside and ex parte applications for restoration of the former surname after a court decision, if the fee for filing the first document has not been paid earlier) is also $435.
Other relevant family law fees that may arise in a divorce:
If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, you may request that the court exempt you from all or part of your costs. To do so, file a request for a fee waiver. You must complete and send it to the court:
Each party must fill out its forms. Eligibility for a fee waiver depends on your family income or whether you receive public help.
In general, during a divorce, everyone pays for legal fees and filing themselves. But in California, you have the option of asking a judge to order your spouse to pay for your legal representation. This also applies to other family matters, such as paternity cases.
This request is particularly pertinent if you cannot afford a lawyer, but your spouse or the other parent can. The court considers this request when there is a significant disparity in financial resources between parties. The aim isn’t to punish or reward either party but to ensure fair legal representation.
Several factors influence the judge’s decision on attorney’s fees:
But determining the exact amount needed can be challenging. So, you may request funds enough to start the case, with the option to ask for extra funds to finish it.
The process involves several steps:
After that, the judge will decide who will pay for the divorce during the hearing.
The California Family Code governs divorce in San Diego. Below we will take a closer look at the key aspects of the divorce process in the state.
Divorce or legal separation begins with the filing of an application. You can do this in the California Superior Court, San Diego County. Bring the original forms and two copies of all documents to the court at one of these addresses:
You can also do this in electronic form using the official website of the California Superior Court, San Diego County.
To get a divorce in California, one of the spouses must
If you don’t meet the residency requirements, you can first file for a legal separation and then amend the divorce petition when your period of residence in the county reaches 3 months.
In San Diego, as in the rest of California, there is a mandatory waiting period of 6 months from the date of service of the summons or the defendant’s appearance. This period applies to all divorces, regardless of whether they are contested or uncontested. The other spouse has 30 days to respond to the petition.
Also, if the judge decides that reconciliation is possible, the court may postpone the case for up to 30 days. The California Family Code provides that only one division of the court should handle all divorce proceedings in a single case. While there may be exceptions to avoid delays, you should expect that scheduling more than one court hearing can take months.
So, the average duration of an uncontested divorce in San Diego is 6-8 months, while a contested one is 12-18 months.
In California, the fastest way to get a divorce is through an uncontested process where both parties agree on all terms. If you meet the residency requirements and have an agreement on all issues, the process can be quick. But the six-month mandatory waiting period still applies.
To finish your divorce in San Diego quickly, follow these steps:
Thus, you can complete an uncontested divorce within 6 months. But this type of divorce isn’t suitable for everyone, and even in this case, it is necessary to consult a family lawyer in San Diego to conclude a settlement agreement without risks for either party.
So, to complete your divorce, you need to figure out the issues to solve and your representation needs. Whether it’s full support or only a document review, you should consider a consultation with a San Diego divorce attorney. To find one, read reviews, check a lawyer’s specialization, and follow the list of the top 10 professionals above.
On average, in San Diego, California divorce lawyers charge a retainer fee of $3,000 to $5,000. However, the price may vary, so it is better to clarify this during the consultation.
To get a divorce in California, at least one of the parties must be a resident of the state for 6 months and live in the county of filing for 3 months. If one of the spouses lives in another country with children under the age of 18, they should consider a California divorce lawyer for free consultation before filing any documents with the court.
The 10-year rule in California refers to a guideline in divorce cases where a marriage lasting 10 years or longer may allow a spouse to qualify for long-term or lifetime spousal support. This rule is often considered when determining the duration of alimony payments.
In California, each spouse doesn’t need to agree to a divorce. Either party can file for divorce. Non-participation in the case will only result in a “default” judgment, not in the rejection.
Yes, California divides marital assets and debts equally between spouses in a divorce, following the 50/50 rule based on community property principles.
