Three decades of steady counsel, when the stakes are personal.

It depends almost entirely on how much the two of you disagree. An uncontested dissolution where both spouses have already agreed on the terms is a fraction of the cost of a contested custody trial. At our first conversation I will give you an honest range based on what you describe, and I will tell you which parts of the fight are worth paying for and which are not.

Often, no. Many family law matters resolve through negotiation, mediation, or a stipulated judgment that a judge signs without either spouse appearing. Court becomes necessary when the other side will not engage in good faith, or when there is a genuine dispute that needs a decision. I prepare every case as though it may be heard, which tends to make settlement easier.

California imposes a six-month waiting period from the date the responding spouse is served before a marriage can legally end. That is the floor, not the average. Uncontested cases often finish close to it; contested cases involving custody, support disputes, or significant property can take considerably longer.

With me. This is a solo practice by design. The attorney you meet at the first appointment is the attorney who handles your case, appears at your hearings, and answers your phone calls.

By what a judge determines to be in the best interest of the child. In practice, courts look closely at each parent's involvement, stability, ability to co-parent, and the child's existing routine. Orange County refers most contested custody matters to Child Custody Recommending Counseling before a hearing. Preparation for that session matters a great deal, and it is frequently underestimated.

Anything you already have — recent pay stubs and tax returns, a rough list of assets and debts, any paperwork you have been served with, and any existing court orders. If you have none of it, come anyway. We can work out what is missing.