Divorce changes everything — your finances, your custody rights, your home. Family First Attorneys provides strategic, aggressive representation to protect what matters most throughout the divorce process across Southern California.
Every divorce is different. Whether you're facing a contested divorce, need to protect complex assets, or want to resolve things amicably through mediation, we provide strategic representation tailored to your situation under California law.
California is a community property state. We ensure accurate characterization and fair division of all marital assets including real estate, retirement accounts, investments, and business interests under Family Code § 760.
Protect Your Assets →Determination of temporary and permanent spousal support under Family Code §§ 4320-4326. We fight for fair support calculations based on earning capacity, standard of living, and length of marriage.
Get Fair Support →Establishing custody arrangements prioritizing your child's best interests under Family Code § 3011. Legal custody, physical custody, joint custody, and visitation schedules that protect your parental rights.
Protect Custody →Division of high-value assets including businesses, professional practices, stock options, RSUs, pensions, 401(k)s, real estate portfolios, and intellectual property. Forensic accounting when needed.
Protect Your Wealth →Alternative dispute resolution when appropriate to reduce costs and conflict. Skilled negotiation to reach fair settlements without prolonged litigation, saving time, money, and emotional strain.
Explore Options →Aggressive courtroom advocacy when settlement is not possible. Trial experience in complex property disputes, custody battles, support disagreements, and high-conflict divorce proceedings.
Fight for Your Rights →Divorce impacts every part of your life — finances, custody, property, and future. You need attorneys who understand California's complex divorce laws and fight to protect your interests.
Deep understanding of California's community property system, separate property tracing, transmutation rules, and reimbursement claims under Family Code §§ 2640 and 2641.
Unique advantage from our experience in CPS/DCFS defense, restraining orders, and custody — critical when divorce intersects with domestic violence allegations or child welfare concerns.
We pursue settlement when it serves your interests and fight aggressively in court when it doesn't. Every strategy is tailored to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.
Ensuring accurate property characterization, fair support calculations, and protection of separate property and inheritance rights. We work with forensic accountants when complex assets are involved.
Filing and representation across Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino county family courts. We know local judges, procedures, and what works in each courthouse.
Divorce is emotionally difficult. We provide honest communication, realistic expectations, and supportive counsel so you can make informed decisions throughout the process.
A strategic, step-by-step approach to divorce that protects your rights, assets, and family at every stage under California law.
Review your marriage, assets, debts, children, and goals. Explain California divorce law, community property rules, and your options. Develop a clear strategy for your specific situation.
File the petition, serve your spouse, and begin financial discovery. Gather income records, tax returns, property deeds, business valuations, and retirement account statements to ensure complete asset disclosure.
Pursue settlement through negotiation or mediation when it serves your interests. If your spouse won't negotiate fairly, we prepare for aggressive courtroom litigation to protect your rights.
Secure the final divorce judgment with fair property division, appropriate support orders, and custody arrangements that protect your children. Help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Get answers to the questions our clients ask most often. Every case is unique — contact us for a free consultation specific to your situation.
California law imposes a mandatory 6-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized, starting from the date the respondent is served with divorce papers. However, the actual timeline depends on the complexity of the case. An uncontested divorce can be finalized shortly after the 6-month period while contested divorces involving complex assets or custody disputes can take significantly longer.
No. California is a pure no-fault divorce state. The only grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences or permanent legal incapacity to make decisions. Neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing by the other to obtain a divorce, and fault generally does not affect property division or spousal support determinations.
California is a community property state. All assets and debts acquired during the marriage are presumed to be equally owned by both spouses and are divided 50/50 upon divorce. Property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during the marriage is typically separate property and is not subject to division. Commingling separate and community property can complicate the analysis significantly.
California courts consider numerous factors under Family Code Section 4320, including the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, contributions to the other spouse's education or career, and the age and health of both parties. For long marriages generally over 10 years, courts often reserve jurisdiction over support indefinitely.
An uncontested divorce means both spouses agree on all issues including property division, spousal support, and child custody. It is faster and less expensive. A contested divorce means the parties cannot reach full agreement and require a judge to decide some or all issues. Contested divorces involve more litigation and court appearances and can take years to resolve.
While you are not legally required to have an attorney, having experienced legal representation protects your rights and financial interests. Divorce involves complex legal and financial issues including property characterization, retirement account division, support calculations, and parenting plans. Mistakes made in a divorce agreement are difficult and expensive to correct afterward.
Still have questions? Our attorneys are available 24/7.
Get a Free ConsultationDon't navigate divorce alone. Every decision you make now impacts your finances, your custody rights, and your future. Get experienced legal representation from attorneys who protect what matters most.
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*$200 fee for divorce consultations