San Diego Divorce Lawyer

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Why Choose Our Award-Winning San Diego Divorce Attorneys

• Women-owned: Attorney Karie Boyd, founder and CEO of Boyd Law, is a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), meaning she has extra training and education in divorce law. Most other divorce lawyers in San Diego can’t say the same, giving Karie a specialized advantage in handling any issues related to family law.
• The National Association of Distinguished Counsel recently ranked Karie Boyd in the “Top 1% of Attorneys in the Nation.
• Our team has access to some of the nation’s most highly respected experts on a variety of matters pertaining to divorce and family law: psychologists, social workers, CPAs, forensic accountants, financial advisors, educators, and others whom we can call upon to provide analysis and testimony in your behalf.

Our family law offices are centrally located in the heart of downtown San Diego. Aside from San Diego county, we also serve Orange County, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco.

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“Excellent firm! Great results. Thank you Boyd Law”

– Harper Jones

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The Boyd Law Difference

In San Diego County, the divorce attorneys at Boyd Law are dedicated to achieving the most favorable, workable, and satisfactory outcome for you and those you love—one that will allow you to move forward with the least amount of stress, disruption, and uncertainty about your future and that of your family.

At Boyd Law, our San Diego family lawyers know that any matter affecting your family is not just about the law; it’s about real people, with real needs, real problems, and real feelings.

Our divorce lawyers in San Diego county are experts at the law, but we don’t stop there; we truly care about the clients we represent, and focus our skills, knowledge, and experience to use California law to meet your needs, identify solutions to the problems you’re facing, and respect your feelings and desires when seeking an outcome that will work for you.

Request your consultation or call us at (619) 232-1206 to discuss your case today. 

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San Diego Divorce Resources

To access any part of the page below, click on any of the following links.

• Benefits of Working With a Divorce Lawyer
• Types of Divorce Matters We Handle
• Contact Us
• Locations We Serve
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Divorce Lawyer in San Diego?

A divorce case is a complicated legal matter with many elements that you may not be familiar with unless you are a divorce attorney, like property division, child custody, and child support.

Hiring a divorce lawyer in San Diego to represent you can help you understand what to expect from the legal process, as well as how to navigate it to your greatest advantage.

You are most likely going through a difficult enough time coping with the end of your marriage, the causes of your divorce and the idea of building a new life; you do not also have to shoulder the legal burden of a complex divorce process.

Working with a Certified Family Law Specialist at our family law firm offers even further benefits than a typical attorney. A CFLS in California has a higher level of experience in the field and a deeper understanding of the complexities of divorce law, helping you find unique and creative solutions to your problems. 

Your divorce lawyer can help you conquer obstacles and provide greater peace of mind and confidence during this tough time. You won’t have to worry about any of the legal elements of your case with a specialist by your side.

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“The attorneys at Boyd Law did a great job on my divorce. Very helpful, respectful, and the most professional attorney. I am more the pleased with the outcome.”

– Batuhan Gurgen

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Types of Divorce Matters Boyd Law Handles in San Diego

If you live in San Diego county or the surrounding area and are contemplating a divorce, you will want to find personalized solutions to your own unique family situation. At Boyd Law, our San Diego divorce lawyers are trusted and reputable advocates for individuals and families who are dealing with the various issues connected to the dissolution of marriage.

Your legal representative should be equipped to navigate California’s complicated divorce laws. Find out how we can help you. We provide specialized divorce services for couples in many different situations. Our legal services include:

• Divorce
• Legal separation
• Annulment
• Same-sex divorces
• Child custody, child support, and visitation
• Property division
• Asset protection
• High-asset divorce cases
• Celebrity divorces
• Military divorce
• Prenuptial/postnuptial agreements
• Alimony/spousal support
• Court order modification requests

At Boyd Law, we understand how the courts work and how to navigate related laws to achieve desirable results for each client. Our San Diego divorce lawyers are committed to achieving the outcome that best suits your needs by providing individualized solutions that will help you get through a stressful and emotionally demanding time.

We will do everything we can to lessen the emotional toll that the divorce process has on you and your loved ones.

Contact Our San Diego Divorce Lawyers Today

If you are considering getting a divorce in San Diego, California, call (619) 232-1206 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys. We have the extensive resources, legal experts, and services that you need. To find out how we can help you in more detail – contact our law office today.

Divorce FAQ’s

How Does California Divide Property in a Divorce?

California is unique in that it uses a community property law to determine the division of marital assets in a divorce case. In the eyes of California law, a marriage between two people forms its own community.

Any assets, property, income, or debt acquired while the community is intact – while the couple is married – is community property. In a divorce case, California law holds that both parties have equal parts’ ownership of this property. Therefore, the courts will divide it in half if a divorce case goes to trial.

All couples have the opportunity to create their own property division arrangements – as well as determine the other aspects of a divorce – together before the matter goes before a judge.

If you cannot reach a property division settlement with your spouse, you will most likely have to split all of your marital assets and debts 50/50 with your spouse, regardless of who brought the property into the marriage. Learn more by reaching out to our San Diego property division attorneys

What’s the Difference Between Divorce and Legal Separation?

Divorce is not the only option for ending a marriage, although it is the most common. You may also wish to consider a legal separation. Legal separation keeps your marriage legally intact; you will still be married to your spouse on paper.

However, it separates the community that you formed during your marriage, meaning that your property will be divided, and you can share custody of your children. Keep in mind that if you are having custody issues, contact our child custody lawyer in San Diego for assistance.

There are certain benefits that come with legal separation that you may not get with a divorce. If you are receiving benefits through your spouse’s employer, for example, legal separation can keep these benefits intact while allowing you and your spouse to lead separate lives.

If you do not wish to get divorced for personal or religious reasons, legal separation can also be an ideal solution. Finally, legal separation makes it easier to either reconcile or transition into a divorce in the future.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

When both parties agree on everything, from community property division to child custody disputes and child support, the divorce is considered uncontested. While uncontested divorces never see the inside of the courtroom, both sides still require legal representation.

As your divorce attorneys in San Diego, we will take great care to review all details of your divorce with you to make certain you are moving forward in a direction that truly makes sense for you. In many family law cases, people think they have an uncontested divorce process at first.

Then they learn about something that was previously overlooked, such as the distribution of debts or retirement accounts, and disputes arise. Now, an uncontested divorce becomes contested.

What Is A Contested Divorce?

Our contested divorce lawyers know that resolving a contested divorce in a family law court can be stressful and time-consuming. There are divorce attorneys who are willing to play off the emotions of the divorcing parties, intentionally exacerbating issues and spurring disputes about complex issues like spousal support or child support.

Furthermore, there are family attorneys who will force a family law case to stretch out months more than necessary, rather than following the family code and facilitating a settlement agreement.

We never encourage disputes. When they arise naturally, we are prepared to resolve them, but we take great care to present our clients with all available options to ensure that each case is taken in the right direction. We are as adept at resolving contested divorces through settlement agreements as we are at trial.

Are There Tax Consequences From A Divorce in San Diego?

If you are going through a divorce, do not make the mistake of ignoring the tax consequences. When handled properly, the tax implications of a divorce can increase the value of a divorce or marital settlement.

However, when handled improperly, they can result in each side walking away with an unfavorable settlement agreement and a larger tax bill.

To maximize your standard of living after divorce, it is in your best interests to have a San Diego divorce attorney on your side who understands how to recognize and manage tax issues in divorce.

You can rely on our team of family law specialists and professionals at Boyd Law to examine the tax implications of any proposed settlement to make sure you receive a favorable outcome. The tax treatment of various assets in the marital estate can have a tremendous impact on the overall value of a settlement.

We are fully equipped to handle all of your tax-related issues in divorce, including the division of child exemptions and tax credits, alimony, capital gains from long-term investments such as marital property, and whether to file separately or jointly in the year of your divorce.

Divorce Privacy Issues

The inner workings of your family life, how you raise your children, and the condition of your finances are all very personal matters.

When divorce proceedings become public for celebrities, executives, business owners, doctors, and others, there is an increased need for diligence in order to maintain their privacy and professional reputation during a divorce.

Your San Diego divorce privacy attorney at Boyd Law understands how important it is to respect one’s privacy and will protect your personal life from the public eye.

How Long Do Divorces Take in California?

In California, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period after a divorce is filed. The absolute minimum amount of time is six months after the divorce is finalized.  While the minimum is six months, longer cases are entirely possible and the length can vary from one case to the next. 

Generally speaking, an uncontested divorce will move through the divorce process much quicker compared to a contested divorce. If the divorcing parties are able to agree on large issues including child support, child visitation, spousal support, and property division, these parties may be able to avoid going to court if a mutual agreement is reached. 

If two divorcing parties are unable to reach a mutual settlement during mediation or an alternative dispute resolution, the divorce will likely take longer to resolve compared to an uncontested divorce. 

What Are California’s Residency Requirements for Getting Divorced?

California has divorce requirements that stipulate certain requirements be made by spouses pursuing a divorce in the State. Before a divorce can be filed, California Family Code Section 2320 states that each spouse must be a resident of the State of California for at least six months leading up to the filing the divorce.

You or your spouse must have also lived a minimum of three months in the county where you are filing for divorce. If you have not yet met the three-month county deadline, you can file in the county where you used to live in California.

What Happens If I Don’t Meet California’s Residency Requirements in California?

If a person does not satisfy the residency requirements established by the State of California, a spouse must put the divorce on hold and establish residency.

Only one person has to establish residence in California to file for divorce. However, courts in the state will not consider a California family law case if neither of the spouses have residency for the minimum amount of time.

Are There Any Exceptions to California’s Residency Requirements for a Divorce?

Yes – there are exceptions to California’s residency rules.

Same-sex married couples that were married in the state and no longer reside in California and live in a state that will not dissolve a same-sex marriage can file in California to end same-sex marriage. If this applies to your situation, contact our same-sex marriage attorney in San Diego.

Is There a Waiting Period for Divorces in California?

Yes – in the State of California there is a mandatory waiting period for divorces.

Divorces in California will require a six-month waiting period after the divorce is filed. In California, all divorces take an absolute minimum of six months. Frequently divorce cases will take more than six months but cannot be completed under six months.

Is California a No-Fault Divorce State?

Yes, California is a no-fault divorce state. This means that it is not necessary for the spouse who files the Petition for a Dissolution of Marriage to include a fault-based cause for the divorce.

It is not a requirement to prove that your spouse cheated on you, for example, or is guilty of domestic violence. Instead, the filing party can simply cite “irreconcilable differences” on the paperwork and achieve a no-fault divorce.

In essence, irreconcilable differences mean that a couple cannot get along.