San Diego Divorce Attorney
San Diego Office
Experienced San Diego, California Divorce Lawyers With Over 300 Years of Combined Experience
Divorce comes with many financial and emotional challenges that can be hard to figure out on your own. When you hire a San Diego divorce attorney from Holstrom, Block & Parke, you gain access to legal knowledge and litigation experience that make the divorce process much easier.
Our team has experience handling divorce and other family law issues. We understand how the outcome of these cases affects your life and those of your loved ones for years afterward. You can depend on our team to negotiate with your future stability in mind. Contact our family law firm today to schedule your confidential consultation with professional divorce lawyers in San Diego. You can reach us at (855) 827-6639 or through our online contact form.
Experienced Legal Guidance for San Diego County Divorce and Family Law Matters
Getting a divorce can be a stressful experience, even if you and your ex agree on most things. With the right legal representation, you can rest assured that your future, finances, and parental rights will be protected. Our California divorce attorneys offer reliable legal assistance to clients throughout San Diego County.
How to Get a Divorce in San Diego
California law offers spouses several options to separate or leave their marriage. According to the Judicial Branch of California, divorce and separation options include the following:
- Divorce: Can be initiated by one spouse or jointly by both spouses
- Summary Dissolution: A quicker, simpler form of separation available for spouses who have been married for less than 5 years
- Legal Separation: For those who can’t or don’t want to divorce, but want to live separately
- Annulment: A judge can decide that a qualifying marriage is invalid
To get a divorce in California, you must have lived in the state for at least 6 months and within your current county for at least 3 months.
Understanding the San Diego Divorce Process
There is a mandatory waiting period of 6 months from the filing for a divorce to when a judge can finalize the process. During divorce, the court may issue temporary orders before finalizing certain things. For example, temporary child custody or visitation orders can provide children with structure while their parents work out the terms of their agreement.
Your lawyer will represent your interests at every stage, negotiating divorce settlements and settling disputes with skilled litigation. When you need a divorce attorney in San Diego, choose Holstrom, Block & Parke. We’ll explain the entire process beforehand, ensuring you go into divorce proceedings with realistic expectations.
How to File for Divorce in San Diego
If one spouse files for divorce, they must ensure that the other party is served with the Summons and Petition within 3 years of filing for their case. The court will need proof of service as well. Recipients have 30 days to respond after being served. A filer must disclose financial information to the other spouse within 60 days of filing.
San Diego Divorce Court Procedures
The legal process of divorce involves negotiations and, in some cases, mediation from legal professionals. When spouses cannot agree on divorce terms, lawyers help them reach a compromise. If disagreements continue or there are other complex issues, both parties may need to attend court hearings so a judge can decide how to resolve problems.
Types of Divorce in San Diego
Holstrom, Block & Parke handles several types of divorce cases in the San Diego area. We tailor our services to suit your needs, offering personalized advice at every step.
Contested Divorce
When spouses disagree on any aspect of a divorce, the divorce is considered contested. They may be unable to settle alimony, child support, child custody, or asset division on their own. In such cases, legal assistance is necessary to resolve disputes. Our high-conflict divorce lawyers in California understand how to help clients resolve these issues.
Uncontested Divorce
Uncontested divorces largely lack conflict. Spouses are able to agree to terms on their own, then submit terms for the judge’s approval. Even if you and your spouse both want a divorce, however, it can still be useful to consult with an experienced lawyer beforehand. Legal representation will ensure you don’t agree to anything that could hurt you in the future.
Default Divorce Cases
When one party files for divorce and serves the other party, the recipient has a limited time to respond. Failing to respond within that timeline means the court can finalize the divorce. The judge will make decisions based solely on the filer’s documentation, without input from the absent party.
Summary Dissolution Eligibility
Summary dissolution is less complex than the divorce process. It not only costs less but also involves fewer required forms. This option is only available to couples who have been married for less than 5 years, don’t have much property or debt, and don’t have children together.
Why Hiring Experienced Divorce Attorneys in San Diego Matters
Hiring an experienced family law attorney is highly recommended for all divorce cases. A legal professional can review the terms of divorce and explain how various issues can affect you in the future. They will protect your parental rights and finances while also helping you avoid costly mistakes. Attorneys will also engage in strategic negotiation and litigation, representing your interests to the judge and to the other party’s legal representation.
How a San Diego Divorce Lawyer at Holstrom, Block & Parke Can Assist You
San Diego residents can depend on Holstrom, Block & Parke for all of their family law needs. Our practice areas include various matters related to divorce. We’ll help you settle child custody issues, alimony, property division disagreements, and more.
Child Custody and Parenting Plans in San Diego Divorce Cases
Child custody disputes can be especially contentious, making legal representation all the more important. If you have an upcoming divorce, don’t hesitate to consult with our San Diego child custody lawyers.
Legal Custody and Physical Custody
California courts assign two different types of custody. Having legal custody of a child means that you have the right to be involved in making important decisions for your child. This can include decisions about health care, education, etc. Physical custody refers to who the child lives with. Parents may share legal and physical custody, or the court may award custody to only one parent.
Parenting Time and Visitation Schedules
Even when a child lives primarily with one parent, the non-custodial parent has the right to spend time with their child in most cases. This is often referred to as parenting time or visitation rights. A parenting plan attorney in San Diego helps parents develop a plan that works for everyone involved.
Relocation and Move-Away Disputes
Moving a significant distance impacts visitation and shared parenting responsibilities. For this reason, California strictly regulates the conditions under which someone subject to a child custody agreement may relocate. Our San Diego child custody relocation lawyers represent both custodial and non-custodial parents looking to move.
Protecting the Child’s Best Interests
Under California law, judges must make custody decisions based on the child’s best interests. The legal team at Holstrom, Block & Parke also keeps your child’s well-being in mind while representing you in court. We strive to help parents reach agreements that work for them and benefit the child.
Child Support Representation During San Diego Divorce
Even if parents separate from one another, each still bears a financial responsibility to their child. Courts base child support on the following factors:
- The total disposable income of both parents
- Which parent has the higher net monthly disposable income
- The amount of time the higher-earning parent spends with their child
If the paying parent falls behind on payments or refuses to pay, California courts can use various enforcement actions to secure payments. This process can involve license suspension, bank levies, property liens, and other consequences. Parents may also seek modifications for child support later if their circumstances change. Our San Diego child support attorneys handle initial support negotiations, enforcement actions, and modifications.
Spousal Support and Alimony in California
After a divorce, one spouse may be required to pay the other alimony. Courts sometimes issue temporary spousal support during the divorce process, which only lasts until the judge makes a final decision on support matters. Long-term spousal support provides the receiver with sufficient income to meet their basic needs and maintain a consistent lifestyle. The judge will base the length of spousal support on the duration of the marriage.
Whether you’re seeking alimony or divorcing someone who wants spousal support, you should consult with a legal professional. If you need a spousal support lawyer in San Diego, contact Holstrom, Block & Parke today.
High Asset Divorce Lawyer in San Diego
Divorce requires division of marital property, which can become particularly complicated for those with valuable assets. Business interests, executive compensation, stocks, investments, real estate, retirement accounts, pensions, and other luxury property may be subject to property division. San Diego, CA, high asset divorce lawyers understand how to accurately calculate the value of these types of property and ensure equal division.
High Net Worth Divorce & Complex Property Division Matters
When one or both spouses have high net worth, settlement agreements and property division require extra attention and care. Spouses sometimes attempt to hide assets from one another or use other underhanded means to avoid splitting things equally. Courts may need to involve forensic accounting specialists to ensure everything gets valued correctly. Parties can also face tax issues, such as capital gains tax obligations, when selling and dividing shared property. An experienced high-net-worth divorce attorney in San Diego protects your financial interests in such cases.
Property Division Under California Community Property Laws
California law requires divorcing couples to divide all shared assets. It is important to keep detailed records to track community property and separate property. Our California property division lawyers help clients divide real estate and investments, settle business valuation disputes, and protect separate property assets.
San Diego Military Divorce Lawyer
San Diego’s local naval and Marine Corps bases are home to many service members and their families. Our San Diego military divorce attorneys are familiar with the specific issues that come with military divorce. We’re prepared to offer personalized guidance throughout the divorce process.
Unique Challenges in Military Divorce Cases
Military divorce cases have unique financial challenges, such as dividing military pensions or factoring in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) into settlement or support agreements. Figuring out child custody can also be particularly difficult if one or both parents may face deployment. Federal law protects active duty service members from civil lawsuits, which can delay divorce significantly.
San Diego Domestic Violence and Divorce Cases
If you’re in a relationship with an abusive partner, California law provides several means to protect yourself and, if necessary, your children. For example, a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) prevents abusers from contacting or harassing victims. Courts may also award emergency custody during divorce if a child is in danger.
Holstrom, Block & Parke’s legal team has worked with clients facing domestic abuse. Consult with our DVRO lawyers in San Diego, CA, to learn more about the legal protections available to you.
Annulments in San Diego
Annulments declare that a marriage was invalid from the beginning. Common grounds for annulment include fraud, incapacity, or force. Judges will only grant property division and spousal support if one party, called a putative spouse, believed in good faith that the marriage was legal. A San Diego annulment attorney can help you figure out if you qualify and navigate the annulment process.
San Diego Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Sometimes spouses make legal agreements to protect assets in case a divorce ever occurs. This can be done either before or after the marriage. Such agreements are especially common in marriages involving business ownership or high-net-worth individuals. Our postnuptial and prenuptial agreement lawyers in CA enforce existing agreements and challenge invalid agreements.
San Diego Divorce Mediation Attorney Services
By hiring a San Diego, CA, divorce mediation lawyer, you can avoid much of the difficulty that comes with divorce. Professional attorneys can ensure your privacy, reduce conflict, and help you and your ex resolve disagreements faster. Our team aims to give clients greater control over the outcome of their divorce case.
Collaborative Divorce in San Diego
Collaborative divorce involves taking a team-based settlement approach. Holstrom, Block & Parke’s attorneys help couples avoid courtroom litigation through skilled negotiation. By addressing conflict and quickly addressing disagreements, our team can lower the costs of divorce and prevent emotional strain for our clients.
Post-Divorce Modifications and Enforcement
Court involvement doesn’t necessarily end after a divorce is finalized. You may need to change the terms of child custody, child support, or spousal support later. Alternatively, you may need to seek enforcement actions for contempt and noncompliance issues. If you need an enforcement, alimony, child support, or child custody modification lawyer in San Diego, choose Holstrom, Block & Parke.
Divorce Appeals in California
You may be able to appeal family court decisions due to legal errors, procedural mistakes, or other issues. The deadline to apply for an appeal is generally either 60 days or 180 days after the judgment was issued. Post-judgment relief options can also address certain situations. For example, courts may set aside a divorce judgment up to six months afterward.
Common grounds for this process include fraud, perjury, duress, and failure to disclose relevant information. Our CA family law appeal attorneys can investigate your case for any problems that could serve as a reason for appeals.
Cost of Divorce in San Diego
Overall costs of divorce depend on several factors. Longer divorces tend to cost more, which means that uncontested cases are often less financially straining than contested cases. The time and skill necessary to settle complex asset division and custody disputes also increase costs.
Holstrom, Block & Parke strives to lighten the financial burden of divorce by reaching divorce settlements quickly whenever possible. Our skills in court litigation also prove useful when cases proceed to trial, allowing us to move things along quickly.
How to Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in San Diego For Your Case
Divorce cases involve a wide range of legal matters that need to be addressed with care and attention. When seeking legal assistance for your divorce, look for an attorney who handles various California family law disputes. Understanding such matters is crucial to settling asset division, child custody, alimony, and other potentially contentious issues.
A reliable San Diego family law attorney has ample trial and negotiation experience. Prioritize working with someone who provides clear communication and is responsive when clients have questions. One family law case can differ greatly from another, so your attorney should be prepared to offer personalized advice and strategies that suit your unique circumstances.
Why Clients Choose Holstrom, Block & Parke As Their San Diego Divorce Lawyers
Holstrom, Block & Parke is a San Diego family law firm that offers client-focused representation. We have experience representing clients in high-conflict and complex divorce matters. You can depend on us for strategic legal guidance and compassionate support throughout the divorce process.
Dedicated Team of Certified Family Law Specialists
Our legal team is comprised of 10 Certified Family Law Specialists and skilled associate attorneys. We proudly serve clients in San Diego County and throughout Southern California. Choose Holstrom, Block & Parke for comprehensive family law representation. Backed by proven litigation and negotiation experience, we work hard to secure favorable outcomes for all our clients.
Speak With a San Diego, CA Divorce Lawyer Today
Divorce is often one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Our team strives to reduce the stress of divorce through skilled representation. We’re dedicated to protecting your parental and constitutional rights at every stage of this process. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better your chances of securing the outcome you want.
Don’t wait to contact experienced family law attorneys in San Diego. Holstrom, Block & Parke has office locations in San Diego, Corona, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vista, Riverside, and Temecula Valley. Schedule your confidential consultation with our legal team by calling (855) 827-6639 or by contacting us online.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us
Our Law Firm Boasts 300+ Years of Combined Legal Experience with Family Law Matters
Certified Divorce Specialists in Southern California
Call Our San Diego Divorce and Family Law Offices at 855-827-6639.
We’re standing by and dedicated to protecting you and your family’s best interest. We offer free phone consultations to see if we are the best fit for your specific matter.
"The Best Family Lawyer"
“Ms. Jillian Duggan-Herd is the best Family Lawyer. She is friendly, professional, understanding, trustworthy, supportive and very respectable. Jillian Duggan-Herd is my number one lawyer. Thank you for such a positive experience, it gave our family a peace of mind.”
~Lisa
With centuries of combined experience, the Southern California attorneys at Holstrom, Block & Parke explore every legal avenue to achieve the best outcome. We’re proud to be ranked a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers—a testament to our commitment to excellence and client success.
