practice areas

Divorce & Separation

Divorce is an emotionally charged, complex, and uncertain experience for most people. Divorce in California may be referred to as divorce, legal separation, or dissolution of marriage.

California is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning that the Court will accept “irreconcilable differences” as adequate grounds to file for divorce. You can help ease your experience by knowing what to expect and having help throughout the process.

Having a San Diego divorce lawyer on your side before, during, and after divorce will ensure you’re not alone and that your rights are protected while navigating the tedious dissolution and legal separation laws in California.

At Shorb & Connor APC in San Diego, CA, our divorce attorneys offer the skills and experience needed to handle complex divorces, military divorces, and divorces that involve business ownership, stock portfolios, and a wide range of assets. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Reliable Attorneys for Divorce and Legal Separation in San Diego, CA

Our divorce lawyers are well-suited to create custom strategies for the unique circumstances of your dissolution in San Diego. We advise, negotiate, and resolve as appropriate, and successfully negotiate on behalf of our clients with their goals at the forefront of our strategy.

Similar issues arise during any divorce, such as spousal support, child support, shared parenting arrangements, requests for attorneys’ fees, restraining orders stemming from domestic violence, and disagreements over property division.

We are experienced in investigating and uncovering the entire marital estate while offering compassion regarding your children’s wellbeing.

At the center of each divorce is the legal separation of two individuals, which often causes collateral issues to arise, such as child custody, child and spousal support, distribution of property or assets, post-divorce judgment disputes, modifications to orders, and so on. Having competent counsel represent you when these issues arise has proven to be the best option for clients seeking fair and just outcomes.

We conduct discovery during the case to sort through any complex financial issues or suspicions, such as businesses, rentals or real estate income properties, investments, pensions, retirement plans, and stock options or stock portfolios.

At Shorb & Connor APC, our San Diego divorce attorneys have the depth of experience to handle cases involving layers of convoluted finances that first need to be untangled before honest negotiation can begin.

During a consultation, our team will walk you through the procedures for initiating a divorce or legal separation in California. We explain the steps of the process so you can prepare for what’s ahead and make informed decisions at every step.

Kristin Connor was amazing and did an amazing job representing me. Her advice was straightforward and honest which helped me make the hard decisions during a very difficult time. She fought hard to get me what I needed and never backed down until she succeeded. Kristin and her staff kept me updated every step of the way and were always available to answer my questions throughout my case. I would highly recommend Kristin to anyone going through a divorce or fighting for custody. She was in my corner every step of the way.

Sabrina

How to Begin a Divorce, Legal Separation or Annulment of a Marriage or Domestic Partnership in San Diego, CA

To file for divorce in San Diego, you must have been a resident of California for at least 6 months, and a resident of San Diego County for at least 3 months.

After filing, California law requires the parties to wait 6 months before a final judgment of dissolution can be entered by the Court.

Once the petition is filed with the Court, the initial documents are then served on the Respondent (the other party), who is then given 30 days to respond.

If you have concerns that your spouse may begin to transfer and move assets upon learning you have filed for divorce, it’s important to know that after service of the summons and petition upon the other party, they are bound to the terms of the automatic temporary restraining orders (ATRO’s). These orders preclude both parties from transferring or disposing of assets outside the ordinary course of family living.

Kristin was fantastic and so very professional. She never said a negative comment about my ex wife through out the proceedings and was very informative. I have and will continue to refer Shorb & Connor to all my friends and family. The process can be scary and intimidating but Kristin took all of that away. I left feeling happy and with my integrity in tact.

Eric O.

Divorce Options for San Diego Residents

Once a divorce action has commenced, either party may request temporary orders from the Court.

The request may be for temporary orders regarding custody and child support, spousal support, payment of community debts, or for other temporary relief necessary for the specific circumstances of your dissolution, such as move-out orders or orders for exclusive use and possession of the marital home.

It helps to have counsel on your side to advise and handle navigating the Courts, discovery, mediation, and litigation stages of a divorce in San Diego. Our firm ensures that your dissolution is handled thoughtfully to protect marital and parental rights and ensure each issue is given appropriate attention and consideration.

I received assistance with a difficult non-divorce family law matter. Mr.Shorb was incredibly responsive and very very helpful. Highly recommend him.

Anonymous

Arrange a Confidential Consultation

At Shorb & Connor APC, we offer Southern California and the San Diego area diligent and personal legal counsel for all aspects of legal separation and marital dissolution proceedings. We thoroughly discuss all matters related to your divorce to ensure your rights are upheld, and the final judgment is both fair and just.

Despite some couples reaching marital settlement agreements directly together or through a collaborative mediator, it’s wise to retain your own counsel who is ethically obligated only to represent your interests. Divorce is based in conflict. Thus, each person will need to have a separate divorce attorney.

We realize you’re likely overwhelmed with unanswered questions, and have concerns specific to your situation. Every San Diego area divorce is different and has its own unique set of facts. Our seasoned divorce lawyers are ready to advocate for you and create solutions towards a happy ending. Contact Shorb & Connor APC online or call us at 858-771-9400.