San Mateo Divorce Attorneys

San Mateo Attorneys

Some people know divorce is coming. Others never see it. Either way, it hurts. In San Mateo, we see what broken marriages leave behind. Kids stuck in the middle. Money stretched thin. Homes divided. Griffith Young steps in when it all starts to unravel. We sort through the noise. Who keeps what. Who pays what. And how to protect the ones too small to understand. Divorce isn’t just a legal process. It’s a personal one. And when people feel lost, they need more than paperwork. They need answers. We give them that. With honesty. With speed. With the care families deserve.

Words From Clients We’ve Helped

Mediation as a Divorce Option in San Mateo

Not every divorce needs a fight. Some people want peace. In San Mateo, more couples are choosing mediation to end their marriage without a courtroom battle. Griffith Young supports that. We help create space for real conversations. No shouting. No pressure. Just clear steps toward a fair split. Mediation works best when both people want to move forward. It’s private. It’s often faster. And it puts the power back into the hands of the people who know their lives best. We help make it work when it’s possible. And we stand ready to fight when it’s not.

How Mediation Works in San Mateo Divorce

Mediation isn’t soft. It’s smart. It gives couples a chance to control the outcome without months in court. In San Mateo, more people are choosing to end their marriage this way. Griffith Young helps guide those talks. We focus on big topics—kids, money, property. We write it all down clearly. No backtracking. No confusion. Mediation only works when both people show up ready to compromise. It doesn’t mean giving up what matters. It means staying focused. If talks break down, we’re ready to shift. But when it works, it saves time, stress, and cost. We help make it work.

Resolving Critical Issues in a Divorce

Divorce does more than simply end a marriage. Couples need to determine important related issues. Griffith Young can assist with all aspects of divorce, including:

• Child custody
• Child support
• Marital property division
• Spousal support

Our firm can also help with a full range of post-divorce issues, including modification of custody, child support, or spousal support, as well as enforcement when your ex refuses to follow the court order.

Child Custody Disputes in Divorce

This is often the most contested issue. California law prefers that both parents remain heavily involved with their child’s upbringing unless there has been abuse. Nonetheless, a 50/50 split might not be possible, especially if one parent intends to move far away. In that case, one parent might only see their children for a couple months in the summer.

San Mateo judges base custody decisions on the child’s best interest. This standard relies on what custody arrangement will promote a child’s welfare and development. Certain factors include the child-rearing up to that point, as well as whether there is any history of drug addiction or domestic violence.

Contact us to discuss custody arrangements. Our firm can help you understand how a judge will likely review the dispute. We can also discuss how to obtain helpful evidence to present at a hearing.

The Divorce Process in California

The divorce process can take some clients six months to complete, while others need years before they emerge from family court with their divorce decree. Regardless of the length, the divorce process has certain critical steps.

1. File a divorce petition. One spouse usually files a petition with the court requesting divorce. We can help you identify which court to file in, which is an important consideration. File in the wrong court and a judge will toss your case, delaying the divorce.
2. Serve a copy of divorce papers on your spouse. Your spouse has a chance to respond to your petition. Although they can’t unilaterally halt a divorce, they could offer a competing child custody arrangement or refuse to agree to spousal support.
3. Receive a response. Your spouse has 30 days to respond to the divorce petition by filing an answer. If they refuse to file, then it might be time to seek a default divorce.
4. Exchange information. Each spouse needs to make a full disclosure of financial information, which aids in the divorce process. This information is important to child support and spousal support calculations. If you hide information, a judge can sanction you.
5. Participate in mediation. This process can help squabbling couples bring their disputes to a close by discussing the legal dispute with a trained mediator. A lawyer from Griffith Young can be by your side through mediation.
6. Hammer out a settlement. Many clients can settle their divorce amicably with their soon-to-be ex. That means they draft a settlement agreement and submit it jointly to the judge for approval.
7. Attend a hearing. Any contested issue must be submitted to a judge for resolution and final judgment.

Divorce FAQs in San Mateo

How long does it take to get divorced in San Mateo?

Divorce takes time, especially when children or property are involved. In San Mateo, there’s a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the divorce papers are served. But the full timeline depends on how much the couple agrees on. If there’s fighting over custody, money, or who keeps what, the case can stretch out for a year or more. If we can get the paperwork done fast and both sides agree on the terms, we can wrap it up much sooner. But if emotions run high, the process slows down. We’ve seen cases where one small disagreement sets everything back. Griffith Young works hard to avoid that. We push for clear agreements early. We talk through the hard parts. We keep court out of it when possible. The courts in San Mateo also affect timing. If judges have full calendars, hearing dates get pushed. We try to handle as much outside the courtroom as we can. It saves time and stress. Every divorce moves at its own pace, but we’re here to move it forward—not let it drag.

What is the difference between legal separation and divorce in San Mateo?

A divorce ends a marriage. A legal separation doesn’t. Both involve dividing property, deciding on custody, and setting support. But when it’s over, you’re still legally married if you choose separation. Some people pick separation for religious reasons. Others do it for financial protection. One spouse might need to stay on the other’s health insurance. In San Mateo, we see couples separate when they aren’t ready to fully split but need distance. It lets them live apart with clear legal rules. They still have to decide who pays what, who the kids live with, and when each parent sees them. The court enforces these decisions, just like in divorce. But no one can remarry unless they file for divorce later. At Griffith Young, we help people figure out which path fits their situation. Legal separation can be a step toward divorce, or it can be the long-term solution. Either way, we treat it with the same level of care. We protect what matters and keep things clear.

Can we get divorced without going to court in San Mateo?

Yes, if both sides agree on everything. That includes property, support, and custody. We call that an uncontested divorce. In San Mateo, uncontested divorces can be handled mostly through paperwork. No long court fights. No public hearings. Just signed documents, clear agreements, and a judge’s final approval. It still takes time, but it’s quieter and less expensive. We help couples write everything down the right way. It’s important not to leave gaps. A mistake in the agreement can cause problems later. We’ve seen cases where people thought they agreed, but things fell apart because something wasn’t spelled out. When we handle these, we make sure the agreement covers all the bases. If one spouse later changes their mind, the court can still enforce what’s already approved. At Griffith Young, we’ve guided many couples through peaceful divorces. It takes honesty, patience, and a clear plan. When that’s possible, court stays out of it. And that’s often best for everyone.

What happens if my spouse won’t respond to the divorce papers in San Mateo?

If your spouse doesn’t respond, we move forward without them. In San Mateo, they have 30 days to reply after being served. If they do nothing, we ask the court for a default judgment. That means the court may grant what we asked for in the divorce petition. But we still have to show that our requests are fair. The court won’t just give us everything if it looks one-sided. We prepare carefully for that. Griffith Young makes sure all the paperwork is filed properly and every step is followed. If your spouse avoids service, we have options. We can ask the court for permission to serve by other means, like mail or publication. We’ve dealt with spouses who try to disappear. We track them down and keep things moving. The worst thing is letting silence stall progress. You don’t have to stay stuck because your spouse won’t cooperate. The law doesn’t give them that kind of control. We push forward until there’s closure.

Mediation as a Divorce Option in San Mateo

The thought of talking directly with your spouse about divorce can feel like navigating a minefield. We understand the difficulty of direct communication during divorce. Mediation offers a different path in San Mateo. It allows you to work together. A neutral person helps you talk through decisions. You decide your future, not a judge. This keeps things calmer. It saves time and money. It is like building a bridge together, instead of fighting over a crumbling one. We believe in finding common ground. We support peaceful solutions. We help you reach agreements that work for your family. Learn more about mediation. Set up a consultation to see if it’s right for you.