Divorce Attorney in San Diego

Focused Family Law Guidance When Your Marriage Is Ending

If you’re considering ending your marriage or you’ve just been served divorce papers, it can be hard to know what to do next. In this moment, you may be worried about your children, your home, and your financial future. At Shorb & Connor LLP, we devote our practice to divorce and family law in California. We explain the process, identify immediate decisions, and build a clear roadmap from the first conversation.

California calls the legal process a dissolution of marriage. It can involve property and debt division, parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, and the legal end of the marriage. We listen carefully to what matters most to you, then work with you to pursue solutions that reduce conflict where possible and address the issues that are most important to you.

Call (619) 330-0938 or contact us to schedule a complimentary strategy session. Ask questions, understand your options, and learn how we would approach your case before making any decisions.

For more information about the steps to expect in your divorce, Download our free divorce roadmap.

How Our Divorce Attorneys Guide You Through the Process

Once both sides have exchanged disclosures, we prepare an early settlement proposal that reflects the financial information and your priorities. Our approach is to put a thoughtful, detailed proposal on the table early rather than waiting for conflict to grow. We tailor that proposal to the decisions that apply to your family, including property, support, and parenting issues when children are involved.

Some cases are more contentious and may require court involvement. Even in those situations, we use the initial settlement proposal as a checklist, working to resolve as many issues as possible before a hearing. If a case goes to court, we focus preparation on the issues that remain disputed instead of treating every detail as a courtroom issue.

A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Divorce in California

Knowing what to expect can ease some of the stress of starting a divorce. California is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you don’t need to prove wrongdoing to end a marriage. Most cases are based on “irreconcilable differences,” which is a legal way of saying the relationship can’t be repaired.

Filing the Petition

One spouse starts the process by filing a petition for dissolution of marriage in the proper California county. There are residency requirements that include living in the state for at least six months and living in the county for at least three months. We help you confirm where to file and prepare the documents so they reflect your situation accurately.

Serving & Responding to Divorce Papers

The petition then needs to be formally served on the other spouse. Service triggers a 30-day period for the other spouse to file a response. This stage is important because it often sets the tone for the rest of the case. We discuss strategy with you before service and, if you’re the spouse who has been served, we help you understand the paperwork and decide how to respond.

Exchanging Financial Disclosures

California law requires both spouses to complete preliminary financial disclosures. These include information about income, bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, debts, and regular expenses. Our attorneys work with you to gather documents, identify separate versus community property as appropriate, and work to identify important information for your disclosures.

Negotiation & Settlement

Once disclosures are complete, many couples resolve their case by agreement. We prepare a structured settlement offer that addresses property division, parenting plans when children are involved, child support, and spousal support. By negotiating from a full financial picture, we aim to create proposals that are practical and grounded in the circumstances of your family.

Court Involvement & Hearings

Courts can become involved at different stages, sometimes early in the case to issue temporary orders related to support or parenting time. If disagreements remain after negotiation, specific issues may be decided by a judge. We prepare you for what to expect at any hearing and focus on presenting clear information and realistic requests.

Final Judgment & Possible Modifications

When all issues are resolved, the court enters a final judgment of dissolution. This judgment addresses property, parenting, and support. Life can change after a divorce, so some orders may later be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances. Our team can help you review whether a modification request is appropriate and what the process would involve.

How Early Settlement Planning Can Narrow Disputes

Many people are afraid that hiring a divorce attorney will automatically lead to a drawn-out court battle. Our philosophy is different. We believe that informed settlement, grounded in full financial disclosure and clear goals, can give families a more constructive way to address disputed issues.

From the beginning, we talk with you about what matters most, such as time with your children, keeping a business stable, or securing a workable budget after the divorce. We then use that information to shape our strategy, including the way we draft your initial settlement offer and how we approach discussions with the other side. This approach keeps your priorities at the center of our strategy.

When cases can’t be fully resolved outside of court, we still work to limit conflict. We use our early settlement documents to narrow the list of disputed issues, then focus court preparation on the points that truly require a judge’s decision. The path forward depends on the facts, the other party’s position, and the issues that remain unresolved.

Throughout the process, we aim to give you clear information so you can make thoughtful choices instead of reacting in the moment. We explain possible consequences, discuss the pros and cons of proposals, and help you weigh the emotional and financial effects of different paths forward.

Handling Complex Divorce Issues with Care

Some divorces involve straightforward finances and parenting schedules. Others involve significant assets, business interests, or military service. Our attorneys handle complex divorces, including military and high-net-worth matters, and understand how California’s community property system can affect these assets.

Property, Debts, & Community Property Principles

Community property principles generally treat income and property acquired during the marriage as belonging to both spouses. Separate property, which can include assets owned before marriage or certain gifts and inheritances, generally isn’t divided. We help you sort through these categories, gather documentation, and understand how different settlement options could affect your long-term financial picture.

Parenting Decisions & Child-Focused Plans

Parenting decisions are often the most personal part of any case. Courts focus on the best interests of the child, considering factors such as each parent’s involvement, school schedules, and the practical distance between homes. We talk through your family’s routines and your children’s needs, then help you develop parenting plan proposals that are child-focused and realistic for your daily life.

Child Support & Spousal Support

Support issues can shape your budget for years. Child support is often guided by statewide formulas that take into account income, time with the children, and certain expenses. Spousal support, sometimes called alimony, can be temporary or longer term and depends on factors such as the length of the marriage and each spouse’s earning capacity. We review your income, employment history, and expenses with you so you can understand the information needed for negotiation or court.

Military & High-Asset Divorces

We also handle cases involving military families and high-asset situations. Military divorce can raise questions about pensions, benefits, deployment, relocation, and service-related schedules. High-asset cases may involve business valuations, stock options, or multiple properties. Our team works to integrate these issues into a coherent strategy that addresses the relevant legal and financial considerations.

What to Expect When You Work with Shorb & Connor LLP

Meeting with our attorneys for the first time can feel intimidating, so we work to make that first strategy session as comfortable and useful as possible. During this meeting, we listen to your story, ask about your priorities, and answer your immediate questions about the process. The meeting can provide a clearer understanding of what the next few months could look like and what information you may want to gather.

We map out options around the priorities you identify and explain how different choices may play out under San Diego County procedure and in settlement discussions.

Direct Attorney Involvement

Established in 2011, we are a boutique family law practice with attorneys who have over 40 years of combined experience. Our attorneys stay closely involved in each case instead of handing it off to multiple layers of staff. You know who is making recommendations with you and who can stand beside you if a hearing is needed.

We keep you informed about developments and explain deadlines, proposals, documents, negotiations, and hearings. If family or financial circumstances change, we discuss how those changes may affect the case.

Because divorce circumstances can change as financial, parenting, safety, or settlement issues develop, we adjust the strategy as the case moves forward.

Compassionate, Practical Support

Our team values respect and empathy in every interaction. We recognize that divorce isn’t just a legal event. It’s also a major life transition. We work to align our legal strategy with your personal goals, whether that means protecting a co-parenting relationship, safeguarding financial stability, or addressing safety concerns.

We also encourage clients to make use of supportive resources when appropriate, such as counseling or financial planning, alongside our legal work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do First If I Am Considering Divorce?

Start by getting accurate information about your rights and options before making major decisions. Gather basic financial documents, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and bank and retirement statements. In a complimentary strategy session, we can explain how the California divorce process applies to your circumstances and discuss timing, living arrangements, and communication with your spouse.

How Long Does a Divorce Usually Take in California?

Take the Next Step Toward Clarity in Your Divorce

Divorce is a significant change, but a clear plan can make the process easier to understand. At Shorb & Connor LLP, we focus our work on divorce and family law, follow a structured roadmap, and work to resolve issues through informed settlement when possible. Our attorneys stay closely involved in your case and align legal strategy with your personal goals.

When you reach out for a complimentary strategy session, you can expect a conversation focused on your questions, your priorities, and practical options for moving forward. You’ll have the chance to see how our approach fits your needs and decide whether to move forward with us.

Our phone number is (619) 330-0938. You can also get in touch via our online contact form.

Call (619) 330-0938 or contact us online today to schedule your complimentary strategy session.