San Diego Family Law Attorneys

Legal disputes involving families are stressful. An experienced family law attorney can lighten the load and improve your chances of resolving the issue to your satisfaction. At Griffith Young, we provide a full array of family law services to the San Diego community. Whether you are seeking visitation with a grandchild or trying to divorce your spouse, we can assist you.

Contact our law firm by calling (858) 345-1720 or submitting your personal information online. All communications are confidential, and you can trust us to provide frank, legally sound advice about your legal options.

Do You Even Need a Family Law Attorney?

Yes. Family law disputes are high-stakes. A lot is riding on whether you receive child custody or spousal support. You basically get one chance to win your case. If you lose at trial, then it is hard to get the judge’s decision overturned on appeal. You can certainly try. But once a judge issues an order or decree, then odds are high you are stuck with the result.

Get the legal help you need right now. Anyone trying to divorce or litigate another family law issue is at a distinct disadvantage if they do not have a seasoned lawyer by their side. Family law cases can move quickly once filed. Having the right legal representation from the start protects your interests and helps you make informed decisions at every step.

Our Experience in Family  Law

Griffith Young has combined experience with all types of family law matters. We have seen these cases from all angles, so we appreciate what evidence a judge will find useful. We have also helped clients mediate and negotiate resolutions to their disputes, saving them time and precious emotional energy.

Contact us if you have questions. We provide consultations so you can learn more about our legal experience and obtain answers to your most pressing questions. We bring significant experience to every divorce or family law matter we accept:

• Paternity actions
• Prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• Enforcement of emergency custody orders
• Domestic violence restraining orders
• Grandparents’ visitation
• Uncontested divorce
• Contested divorce
• Military divorce

Call Griffith Young if you think we might be of service. Your choice of attorney matters a great deal, and you should not rush the process of selecting a legal team that makes you feel comfortable. Get the information you need from a family law attorney before deciding whether to hire them.

Spotlight on Family Law

Our impressive range of skills allows us to tackle most family law issues. Here is a small sample of representative matters we have handled.

Divorce

Divorce can be as simple as signing a few forms, or it can require years of intense litigation. At Griffith Young, we have handled hundreds of divorces. An uncontested divorce involves a couple agreeing on all critical issues, including child custody, support obligations, and property division.

After being hired, we can strategize about what to request in a divorce and what would likely happen if you ended up before a judge. Some couples need to work to reach an agreement, and we can help you negotiate with your spouse. Mediation often allows squabbling couples to put aside their differences and reach common ground with the help of an experienced mediator.

We also excel at contested divorces, complex asset divorces, and high-asset divorces. Not every couple can easily divide their property and draft a parenting plan. There are times when you must involve a judge. Your spouse might be unreasonable about child custody or intend to move across the country with your child once the judge hands down the divorce decree. Many disputes involve whether property is community property, which must be divided, or separate property that a spouse can take with them upon divorce.

Our law firm can handle your contested divorce. We can request important legal documents from your spouse and track down hidden accounts. We can also come up with a strategy for reaching your goals, whether that is sole physical custody or receiving spousal support. Hire our experienced legal team.

Child Custody

Custody disputes often arise in divorce. Parents can reach a custody agreement between themselves and draft a parenting plan. This plan should identify who the children will live with throughout the year. Unfortunately, many couples cannot immediately agree.

Our San Diego family law attorneys can attend mediation with you to hammer out a custody arrangement. We will ensure your voice is heard and fight to protect your parental rights. The court’s focus is always on the best interests of the child. Our child custody attorneys help you understand what that standard means for your specific situation.

Spousal Support

Spousal support consists of payments from one spouse to the other, either during divorce or after the divorce is granted. The objective is to maintain the status quo and keep the lower-earning spouse from falling into poverty. Although couples can agree to spousal support, this issue often ends up before a judge. The court will determine whether to award alimony, as well as the amount and duration, based on various factors. Principal among them are the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s health, and how much each spouse earns.

Child Support

Each parent is legally required to support their children, even if they do not live with them. In most divorces, one parent will need to pay child support to the other. We also see child support arise with paternity proceedings. Once a court declares a man is a child’s father, the state of California immediately wants him to start supporting the child.

California created child support guidelines to streamline and standardize the calculation of child support. But many issues can still arise, especially if a child has unique medical or educational needs. Debt division can also come into play when calculating each parent’s available income. Our attorneys in San Diego make sure all financial factors are included correctly.

Modification and Enforcement of Court Orders

You might think all legal disputes end when you receive a divorce decree. Not quite. Some common issues arise, including modifying an order. Maybe the child custody arrangement no longer works for you, or you lost a job and cannot pay child support. We can help request a modification from the judge.

Another post-divorce issue is enforcement. Some exes continue to “strike back” at their ex by withholding visitation or refusing to pay support obligations. Our law firm can seek judicial enforcement, including wage garnishment or even a contempt finding. We handle follow-ups after orders are issued to make sure everything stays on track.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence victims deserve to be safe. At Griffith Young, we are committed to helping domestic violence victims seek protection from their abusers. Our San Diego family law attorneys can help any victim request a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), which will prohibit your abuser from contacting you or harassing your family.

The police can arrest any abuser who violates the order. We can seek a restraining order as part of a divorce or in a separate proceeding. It is possible to include obligations to pay child support and/or spousal support in a restraining order, as well as a requirement to vacate the home. Call us today. We have sought emergency restraining orders that can go into effect immediately without the need for a hearing.

Prenuptial Agreements

Our firm can create a prenuptial agreement that works for you. When divorcing, couples must divide most property acquired while married. But a valid prenuptial agreement can help you get around this rule and allow one spouse to leave with more assets. You can also help secure the future of grown children with a prenuptial agreement if you are entering a second marriage. Call to discuss this option.

Why San Diego Families Choose Our Family Law Firm

Helping families through difficult times is what we do every day. Our San Diego family lawyers bring extensive experience in all areas of California family law cases, from simple uncontested divorces to high-conflict custody battles. We serve San Diego residents across San Diego County, and every new client gets personalized attention from our team.

Our family law firm employs certified family law specialists with extensive experience in family law proceedings. That means when your case involves unique challenges like military service, cross-state custody, or complex assets, we know how to handle it. We are one of the few family law firms in San Diego, CA with the depth of legal services to cover your needs from start to finish.

We understand this is a difficult time for you and your family. Our lawyers keep things moving forward while protecting what matters most. We offer legal representation built around your goals, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every family law matter we take on gets the same level of focus and care.

Military Families and Complex Family Law Cases in San Diego

Military families face unique challenges that civilians do not. Deployments, relocations, and special pay structures all affect divorce, child custody, and support. Active duty military members have certain legal protections under federal law that can slow or pause family law proceedings. Our firm understands how those rules work and how to keep your case moving even when one spouse is deployed or stationed elsewhere.

We handle military divorce family law cases involving pension division, housing allowances, and custody plans that account for duty schedules. San Diego County has one of the highest concentrations of military personnel in the country. Our experienced family law attorneys know these cases well and give families the focused assistance they need.

What to Expect Working With Our Family Law Attorneys

From your first initial consultation to the day your case is resolved, we keep you informed. You will hear from us regularly, not just when something goes wrong. Our San Diego family lawyers give clients honest assessments, not empty promises. We tell you what is realistic, what is worth fighting for, and when a negotiated solution makes more sense than going to court.

Our family law lawyers are accessible. We answer questions and provide follow-ups so nothing falls through the cracks. You should never feel lost during your own case. We explain the legal process in plain terms so you understand your options and what comes next. That clarity makes a real difference during a difficult time.

Whether your matter is resolved quickly or takes months of litigation, we are here every step of the way. Our family law needs assessment at the start of each case helps us build the right plan. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get answers without any pressure.

San Diego Family Law FAQs

We field many questions from the public and reproduce some of the most common concerns here.

Can I divorce in California if I just moved here?

California has residency requirements. A California court will not divorce anybody who shows up at the courthouse. Instead, one spouse must have lived in the state for six months before filing. Furthermore, the person who files must have lived in the county where they file for at least three months.

How long will my divorce take?

Each divorce is different. An uncontested divorce could take a couple of months. A contested divorce might take two years. In any event, California has a six-month waiting period.

I’m afraid my spouse will find out I spoke with a lawyer.

Everything you share with our law office is confidential. We are ethically prohibited from sharing information without your consent, so there is no reason to fear calling us. We can meet at a convenient time to discuss divorce or whatever issue you wish.

Do grandparents have a right to visitation in California?

Parents generally have the right to decide who their children see, and California lets grandparents request visitation in only limited situations. For example, you might seek visitation if your grandchild’s parents are not married or are permanently separated. Contact us so we can review.

What is the difference between a family lawyer and a matrimonial lawyer?

Matrimonial lawyers and family lawyers are often the same thing. The term “matrimonial lawyer” is more common in some states and refers to attorneys who handle divorce and marriage-related legal matters. In California, the more common term is family law attorney. Either way, the work covers divorce, custody, support, and property division. Our San Diego family law attorneys handle all of these areas under one roof.

What family law matters can be resolved outside of court?

Many family law matters can be resolved without a judge. Mediation, collaborative divorce, and direct negotiation all give families more control over the outcome. Family law disputes over custody, support, and property are often resolved through these processes faster and at lower cost. Our San Diego divorce attorneys will tell you honestly whether your case is a good candidate for out-of-court resolution or whether going before a judge is the better path.

How does the divorce process work in California?

The divorce process starts with one spouse filing a divorce petition. The other spouse is then served with legal documents and has time to respond. Both sides share financial information, which may include legal documents like tax returns, bank statements, and pay stubs. If the couple cannot agree, the case moves toward trial. A judge in family court makes the final decisions on property, custody, and support. California requires a six-month waiting period before a divorce is finalized. Our San Diego family lawyers can walk you through each stage.

Do I need a custody dispute attorney, or can I handle it myself?

You can represent yourself in a custody dispute, but it is rarely a good idea. Family law rules around custody are detailed, and one misstep in court can affect your future relationship with your child. A family law attorney knows how to present evidence, respond to arguments, and keep the focus on the best interests of the child. A family lawyer in San Diego, CA, can assist you whether the case is simple or requires a full hearing. The cost of legal representation in a custody case is usually far less than the cost of losing.

Call the Experienced San Diego Family Law Attorneys at Griffith Young

Family law attorneys do more than guide a case through the California courts. We also serve as counselors for our clients, helping them analyze their options and resolving disputes outside of court if they desire. Our law firm employs two certified family law specialists, and we boast legal experience in family law that few San Diego firms can match.

To learn more about how we can assist you, contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation by calling 858-345-1720. We offer a free consultation for new clients so you can get answers before making any decisions. Our attorneys in San Diego are ready to help families across San Diego, CA, and San Diego County with all their family law needs.