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Los Angeles Divorce Lawyers
Three-Time Los Angeles Times Honorees. A Collaborative Approach That Keeps You in Control.
Divorce is one of the most consequential legal processes a person faces, and the attorney you choose shapes how it unfolds. At Claery & Hammond, LLP, we bring over 15 years of California family law experience to every case, along with a practice model built on working alongside our clients rather than simply on their behalf. You stay informed, involved, and in control at every stage.
Our firm was selected for the Los Angeles Times Family Law Practitioners feature in 2013, 2015, and 2023, making us one of only 13 firms chosen across all three years. Founding partner Lance Claery has been recognized as a Southern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2021) and as a Top Tier Lawyer from 2020 through 2023, and was named among the top 10 percent of lawyers in the United States by Lawyers of Distinction. Our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience to divorce and family law matters throughout Southern California.
Ready to take the first step? Call our Los Angeles divorce lawyers at Claery & Hammond, LLP today at (310) 817-6904 or schedule a free consultation online.
We handle the full range of divorce matters in Los Angeles, from straightforward uncontested cases to complex contested proceedings involving significant assets or high-conflict custody disputes. Whether your situation is amicable or adversarial, we develop strategy alongside you so you understand your options and what each decision means for your future.
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What Issues Will Be Addressed During My Divorce?
Separating two lives that have become one is rarely straightforward, especially when a couple has been together for years, shares children, or has built significant property together.
- Among the most common and contested issues are spousal support and property division.
California is a community property state, meaning assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally between spouses. Division can involve real estate, personal property, pensions, retirement accounts, business interests, and investment accounts. Our Los Angeles divorce attorneys work to protect your interests through every step of that process.
If you and your spouse have children together, your divorce will also involve child support, child custody, and visitation rights.
California courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, weighing each parent’s ability to provide care, the child’s ties to home, school, and community, and each parent’s history of involvement. Our family lawyers advocate for your rights as a parent, working to pursue fair custody arrangements, appropriate support, and meaningful visitation.
Failing to File a Response to Divorce Papers
If you’re served with divorce papers and don’t file a response within the time allotted, the case won’t be dismissed. In California, the responding spouse has 30 days from the date of service to file a Response (FL-120). Miss that deadline, and the court may proceed by default, granting the relief requested in the petition without your input. Acting promptly is essential to protecting your position.
As the spouse served with divorce papers, read everything carefully. The petition may include proposed decisions on child custody, property division, and support that you disagree with.
A strong next step can be to hire an attorney promptly. With counsel on your side, you can identify unfavorable proposed terms and challenge them before they become court orders. If you have no objections to what’s been proposed, allowing the case to proceed by default can sometimes be the faster path, but that decision should be made with legal guidance, not through inaction.
Having an attorney also means someone is navigating the procedural complexity on your behalf, so you can focus on making informed decisions rather than deciphering legal language under pressure.
A Focused Approach to Your Divorce Case
Founding partner Lance Claery leads clients through the divorce process, helping them pursue the outcomes that matter most to them. With our team handling your paperwork and guiding your strategy, you can direct your energy toward your family and the next chapter of your life.
We keep you informed at every stage. Transparency isn’t a bonus feature of how we work. It’s the foundation. If you want to understand your rights and your options before deciding how to proceed, a conversation with one of our attorneys is the right place to start.
Contact Claery & Hammond, LLP today or call (310) 817-6904 to speak with one of our Los Angeles divorce attorneys.
Preparing Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage Documents in Los Angeles
At Claery & Hammond, LLP, we provide California families with a range of legal services, including document preparation. Divorce filings in Los Angeles County require both statewide Judicial Council forms and a Los Angeles-specific form: the Family Law Case Cover Sheet and Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to District (FAM-020), which determines which district courthouse handles your case. Getting these right from the start can help prevent procedural delays that can add weeks to your timeline.
The filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (FL-100) in California is $435, and the same fee applies when a respondent files a Response (FL-120). Fee waivers are available via form FW-001 for qualifying parties. Both parties are also required to exchange Preliminary Declarations of Disclosure, including an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) and a Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142). The petitioner must serve these within 60 days of filing; the respondent must serve theirs within 60 days of filing their Response. Our attorneys prepare and review all required documents for compliance so you can focus on what comes next.
Los Angeles Superior Court accepts divorce filings electronically through its eFiling portal and in person at district courthouses. Knowing which path applies to your case, and which forms are required, is part of what we bring to document preparation.
California Divorce Laws Every Los Angeles Resident Should Know
California is a no-fault divorce state. Neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing; the basis is irreconcilable differences, and the court assigns no blame. That simplifies some aspects of the process, but it doesn’t eliminate complexity, particularly on property and support questions.
Several California Family Code provisions directly affect how your case unfolds:
- Residency requirements: Under California Family Code §2320, one spouse must have been a California resident for at least six months and a resident of the filing county for at least three months before a petition can be filed.
- Six-month waiting period: California Family Code §2339 establishes a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the respondent is served or first appears in the case, whichever occurs first. Even a fully uncontested divorce can’t be finalized before that period expires.
- Community property division: Most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are divided equally. Separate property brought into the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance may be treated differently, but tracing and documenting those distinctions requires care.
- Legal separation as an alternative: For spouses who haven’t yet met the residency requirement, or who have personal or financial reasons to avoid dissolution, legal separation allows the Los Angeles Superior Court to enter orders on support, custody, and property without ending the marriage.
FAQs About Divorce in Los Angeles
How Can I Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in Los Angeles?
Look for an attorney with a clear focus on family law, direct familiarity with Los Angeles Superior Court procedures, and a communication style that keeps you informed. Meeting with candidates before committing gives you a sense of whether they listen and explain clearly. Claery & Hammond, LLP offers free initial consultations so you can assess the fit with no obligation.
What Are the Steps to Filing for Divorce in California?
The process generally begins with filing a Petition for Dissolution (FL-100) and serving the other spouse. The respondent then has 30 days to file or waive a Response. Both parties exchange financial disclosures, then negotiate, mediate, or proceed to trial on unresolved issues. An attorney can help you navigate each stage and avoid procedural missteps that can delay your case.
How Does Child Custody Work in Los Angeles?
California courts address both legal custody (who makes major decisions for the child) and physical custody (where the child primarily lives). Decisions are guided by the child’s best interests, with courts often encouraging joint arrangements when both parents are fit and involved. Our attorneys work to protect your parental rights while keeping the child’s stability at the center of every custody discussion.
What Should I Expect at a Divorce Hearing?
Divorce hearings involve presenting positions on disputed issues such as property division, support, or custody. Come prepared, professionally dressed, and ready to answer the judge’s questions. Depending on case complexity, multiple hearings may occur before resolution. Your attorney organizes your arguments, anticipates objections, and works to present your position clearly each time.
Are There Alternatives to Court for Divorce in Los Angeles?
Yes. Mediation brings in a neutral third party to facilitate negotiations between spouses. Collaborative divorce has both parties working with their own attorneys outside of court. Both approaches can reduce cost and conflict and can produce durable long-term agreements. Claery & Hammond, LLP can help you evaluate which path fits your situation and represent you through whichever process you choose.
Choosing the Right Divorce Attorney in Los Angeles
Claery & Hammond, LLP was selected for the Los Angeles Times Family Law Practitioners feature in 2013, 2015, and 2023, making us one of only 13 firms recognized across all three years. Our attorneys are Californians with extensive familiarity with Los Angeles Superior Court and California’s family law framework. Attorney Eli V. Hammond is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese, making our firm accessible to Spanish-speaking clients throughout Los Angeles.
The right firm does more than win credentials. It communicates clearly, sets realistic expectations, and treats you as a person navigating a difficult transition. We offer free initial consultations so you can meet our team, ask questions about your situation, and decide whether we’re the right fit before making any commitment.
Ready to move forward? Contact our Los Angeles divorce attorneys online or call (310) 817-6904 to schedule your free consultation today.
