San Diego Professional Athlete Attorneys

For professional athletes, divorce affects both family life and career obligations. Playing schedules, contract terms, and endorsements all add complexity to a process that is already deeply personal. Relocation for trades or team commitments can also raise difficult questions about parenting time, financial planning, and long-term stability.

Shorb & Connor provides representation tailored to the realities of professional sports. We guide athletes through divorce with discretion, steady advocacy, and a focus on long-term security, allowing clients to move forward with clarity while balancing the demands of both family and career.

Call (619) 330-0938 or connect online with Shorb & Connor to arrange your free and confidential consultation.

Why Choose Shorb & Connor for Professional Athlete Divorce

As a professional athlete, you face circumstances in divorce that are shaped by your career. Contracts, endorsements, and relocation can affect everything from finances to custody. You need representation that takes these realities into account.

When you work with Shorb & Connor, you can expect:

• Protection of your privacy so that sensitive details do not become topics for sports media or public speculation.
• Clear guidance on contracts and income including signing bonuses, incentive pay, and endorsement agreements.
• Prepared advocacy in court if your case involves contested custody or property division.
• Direct communication that respects the pace and demands of an athletic schedule.

Our focus is on giving you steady representation that allows you to move forward with confidence in both your family life and your career.

How We Safeguard Your Privacy During Divorce

Athletes live with constant public visibility. Divorce can quickly draw attention from fans, reporters, and even league officials. What should remain personal can become the subject of commentary, creating distractions that interfere with both family stability and professional commitments.

We take deliberate steps to reduce this exposure. Settlement discussions are often managed through mediation or private negotiation to limit what enters the public record. Court documents are drafted with discretion so that only the necessary details are disclosed. Consultations can be arranged virtually or away from team facilities to maintain confidentiality.

By minimizing unnecessary attention, we help protect your focus on performance while also shielding your family from unwanted scrutiny.

Legal Guidance for Contracts, Bonuses, & Endorsements

The financial side of athlete divorce requires careful planning. Income is often irregular, with bonuses, incentive clauses, and endorsement revenue creating a shifting financial picture. Career length is shorter than most professions, so long-term stability depends on accurate valuation and forward-looking strategies.

We provide guidance in the following critical areas:

• Contracts and bonuses, ensuring guaranteed salaries, performance incentives, and signing payments are classified and divided correctly.
• Endorsements and sponsorships, evaluating ongoing deals and image rights to confirm how they are treated under California law.
• Pensions and retirement benefits, safeguarding access to league programs and deferred compensation agreements.
• Tax obligations, addressing state and federal consequences tied to property division and support.

Our attorneys work with financial professionals when needed to ensure every settlement reflects the true value of an athlete’s income and supports life after a playing career.

Protecting Homes, Investments, & Other Assets

Divorce for professional athletes often involves dividing property and financial portfolios that go far beyond a single home or bank account. Multiple residences, investment properties, and business ventures are common, along with retirement accounts and luxury assets. Each of these must be carefully identified, classified, and valued under California’s community property laws.

Shorb & Connor approaches this process with both legal precision and practical financial insight. Our representation often involves:

• Real estate evaluation, ensuring that primary residences, rental properties, and vacation homes are accurately valued and fairly divided.
• Business and investment analysis to account for ownership stakes, stock options, and revenue streams from ongoing ventures.
• Portfolio and retirement review for accounts, deferred compensation, or league-related benefits that must be addressed in settlement.
• Evaluation of personal and luxury assets, including vehicles, collectibles, and memorabilia that may carry significant financial or sentimental value.

At Shorb & Connor, our attorneys combine legal insight with practical knowledge of real estate and financial structures. One of our partners holds a background in real estate, which adds perspective when evaluating property value and division strategies.

Creating Parenting Plans That Work with Athletic Careers

Custody planning for athletes brings challenges that are rarely seen in other professions. Training camps, travel seasons, and game-day commitments take parents away from home for extended periods. Teams can also relocate players with little notice, creating sudden changes in living arrangements.

We help clients build custody agreements that remain practical under these conditions. Parenting plans may include provisions for extended time with children during the off-season, safe travel arrangements when children accompany a parent, and contingency plans for relocation. Every arrangement is designed to give children stability while allowing athletes to remain active and present in their lives.

When contracts, custody, and travel complicate divorce, our San Diego professional athlete divorce lawyers can help. Schedule your free consultation online today.