Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in San Diego, CA (2025)

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in San Diego, CA?

One of your primary questions as you begin your lawyer search may be, “How much does a divorce cost?” Unlike many states, the State Bar of California does not survey lawyers to identify fee trends. However, you can estimate your fees based on a few factors.

California ethics rules prohibit divorce lawyers from charging a contingency fee. Thus, you will either pay a flat or hourly fee to hire a San Diego divorce lawyer.

Some divorce lawyers charge a flat fee to prepare and file uncontested cases. These cases involve a predictable amount of work, allowing the lawyer to charge a fixed fee to write a divorce settlement agreement and file it.

Conversely, lawyers rarely charge flat fees for contested cases. The amount of work is unknown when you and your spouse disagree. As a result, the lawyer may charge a fee based on the time they spend working on the case.

The lawyer’s time will depend on how long you and your spouse battle. It would not be unusual for a lawyer to spend hundreds of hours on a hotly contested case.

How to Hire a San Diego, CA, Divorce Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer typically involves several steps. You first need to gather names of lawyers who practice divorce law. Although any lawyer can litigate a divorce, you’ll want to pick one with relevant experience.

Talk to friends, family members, and other acquaintances about divorce lawyers they used. Former clients have intimate knowledge about a lawyer’s courtroom and client-handling skills. They can also advise against lawyers they had bad experiences with.

Research the lawyers on your list. Read their websites, and look at the verified reviews they have.

Finally, schedule initial consultations. Some, but not all, divorce lawyers offer free consultations. For others, you may pay a minimal fee. During the consultation, ask questions such as:

• How much do you charge?
• What do you think my case’s outcome will be?
• How will I receive updates about my case?
• How much experience do you have with cases like mine?

You should also verify that your lawyer has experience with the issues you may face in your divorce. For example, if you have a special needs child, ask about the lawyer’s experience with similar cases.

Average Divorce Settlement in San Diego, CA

Divorces in California generally resolve the following four issues before dissolving the marriage:

Child Custody

Child custody determines the child’s living arrangements and who has input into the decisions affecting their life. A typical divorce outcome will include joint physical and legal custody where the parents share these responsibilities. While judges try to be fair, California law does not require the judge to award the parents equal time with the child.

Child Support

Each parent is required to contribute to the financial support of their child. The parent who lives with the child more often usually contributes their financial support through payments for housing, food, utilities, and transportation.

On the other hand, the parent who lives with the child less often will often reimburse the other parent for a share of those costs through child support payments.

Property Division

California is a community property state. This system divides a couple’s property into either separate property or marital property.

Separate property, such as inheritances and gifts, belongs to only one spouse, while marital property, such as joint bank accounts, gets split equally between them. The job of a property division lawyer is to ensure the court correctly categorizes property.

Alimony

Alimony is another vital consideration. What is alimony? Alimony, or spousal support, is used by divorce courts to ensure both spouses have sufficient economic means after the divorce. For example, the court might order one ex-spouse to provide support until the other can get training and education for a job.

Filing a Divorce in California

You start a divorce in California by filing a divorce petition. You do not need to give a reason for the divorce except that the marriage is broken. The divorce forms are provided on the California Courts website.

How Does a Divorce Work in San Diego?

Once the divorce petition is filed, the spouses will usually exchange financial information. If the case is contested, a judge can decide on issues like custody, child support, property division, and alimony. If the parties can agree on some or all of these issues, they can file a settlement agreement and avoid a trial on those matters.

Types of Divorce Cases in San Diego, CA

All divorces, including those involving domestic partnerships, generally go through the same process and require the same filing. However, some cases involve unique issues.

For example, high net-worth cases usually require expert witnesses to determine the value of the marital estate and help the spouses determine what is or is not separate property. Military divorces, common in San Diego County, involve issues surrounding the division of military benefits, such as pensions.

LGBTQ divorces might involve assets acquired by the couple before same-sex marriage was legalized.

Contact ConsumerShield for Help Finding a San Diego Divorce Lawyer

The knowledge, experience, and negotiating skills of your San Diego divorce lawyer will directly affect your outcome. ConsumerShield can help you find a lawyer to handle your unique case. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.