San Francisco Divorce Lawyer

Skilled Divorce Attorneys Serving San Francisco, CA

Getting divorced is a deeply personal, emotionally charged, and complicated experience. Knowing what to expect can help ease the stress and create a sense of security at a time when you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about your future. Having experienced legal representation is essential for navigating the complex dissolution process.

At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. in San Francisco, our divorce lawyers offer the skill and knowledge to handle even the most challenging and contentious divorces, helping our clients achieve positive outcomes and move on with their lives. If you’re seeking legal advice from an experienced divorce attorney, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with a caring San Francisco divorce lawyer.

Meet Debra Schoenberg

Debra R. Schoenberg, founder and principal at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., brings close to 40 years of experience in family law. Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Board-Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California, she is also a frequent lecturer in the field. Debra has been featured in the Super Lawyers directory for over a decade and named one of the nation’s Best Lawyers by U.S. News & World Report.

Dependable Counsel For Divorce And Separation in San Francisco, CA

At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we understand that every divorce is unique. Our skilled divorce lawyers develop highly customized legal strategies for the specific circumstances of your marital dissolution in San Francisco. We advise, negotiate, and litigate as needed to resolve the particular issues you face. Our team successfully negotiates on behalf of clients involved in high-conflict disputes. We are diligent in discovering the complete marital estate and have extensive experience in high-asset divorces. We’re also deeply committed to the continued well-being of your family—our seasoned and caring attorneys ensure that the best interests of the children are protected and remain at the forefront of our clients’ cases.

We will walk you through the procedures for initiating divorce or pursuing a formal legal separation in California, explaining each step in the divorce process so that you can prepare yourself and make informed decisions at every stage. Our attorneys are well-versed in all divorce-related issues, including:

• The role of mediation, even in complex and high-conflict divorce
• Temporary orders for custody, support, and marital property
• All aspects of asset division and community property disputes
• All matters of custody, visitation, and child support
• Spousal support
• LGBT matters, including same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements (creating or litigating)
• Domestic violence restraining orders
• Post-divorce modifications of court orders
• Appeals

We handle your personal and financial matters with the foresight and attention to detail necessary to ensure that your unique circumstances are given proper consideration, your parental rights are protected, and your marital estate is justly divided. We will conduct thorough discovery and address the complex financial issues that arise out of the division of businesses, pensions and retirement plans, investment portfolios, and real estate.

Trusted Family Law Attorneys in Bay Area

At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we frequently represent clients in high-net-worth divorces involving complex property division, significant investment portfolios, and multiple real estate holdings. Many of these matters also include high-conflict custody disputes and the need for precise business valuations — areas where our legal team has deep experience.

We build relationships based on trust, integrity, and open communication; equipping you with the information and confidence you need to make the best decisions for your family. Our approach combines thorough preparation, collaboration with leading financial and valuation experts, and strategic negotiation designed to protect our clients’ rights and long-term interests. We also fiercely protect the welfare of children in custody battles, shielding them from conflict. This level of service has contributed to our repeated recognition as the #1 Family Law Firm in California by The Recorder’s “Best Of” Awards (2021–2025) and Top Family Lawyer honors for Debra Schoenberg from The Daily Journal.

Starting A Dissolution Action in San Francisco

To file for divorce, also called marital dissolution, in San Francisco, one of the parties must be a resident of California for at least six months, and a resident of the county in which you seek to file for three months. After the initial filing, California law requires that the parties wait six months before a final judgment of dissolution can be entered by the court.

California is a “no-fault” divorce state. This means that neither spouse is required to prove that the other is “at fault” in order to get a divorce. The court will not consider factors such as infidelity in granting a divorce in California, or accept evidence of fault. If one or both parties wish to end the marriage, they can dissolve the marriage on the basis of irreconcilable differences.

Filing the Petition for Dissolution in San Francisco

To begin an action for dissolution, a divorce petition, also referred to as a “petition for dissolution of marriage or registered domestic partnership,” must be filed with the clerk of the court. The initial documents are then served on the other party, who is given time to respond. If there is a concern that your spouse will begin to transfer assets upon learning about your plans for divorce, your attorney might advise you to swiftly file for dissolution and serve the summons and petition so as to bind your spouse to the terms of the Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders (ATRO’s), which are clearly set forth in the summons. These orders preclude either party from transferring or otherwise disposing of assets other than in the normal course of family living.

After the initial paperwork is filed, the manner in which a dissolution proceeds depends on how the served party (“Respondent”) responds to the petition for dissolution. Although there are some differences in their roles and responsibilities, the law treats the Petitioner (the party who files the petition initiating the legal process of the divorce) and the Respondent (the other spouse) equally. An action for dissolution may be default, uncontested, or contested.

Default Proceeding

• In a default proceeding, the Respondent fails to respond within the time frame permitted by California statutes. The Court clerk will enter the Respondent’s default and the dissolution proceeding continues without that party.

Uncontested Proceeding

• In an uncontested proceeding, the parties agree to all issues related to the dissolution of the marriage. If the parties are in agreement about property and debt division, as well as any child custody and support matters, the parties may enter into a written agreement, or Marital Settlement Agreement. Once signed by the judge, this agreement becomes an enforceable court order.

Contested Proceeding

• In a contested proceeding, a response to the dissolution petition is filed, the parties are unable to resolve the issues, and a trial is held in which the Court decides all of the issues necessary to complete the divorce process. If it appears from the Respondent’s answer that the dissolution proceeding is contested, the Court will set the matter for a hearing.

Divorce Solutions For Bay Area Residents

Once an action for dissolution has been initiated, either party can request temporary assistance from the court. This request may be for temporary orders for custody and child support, spousal support, payment of community debts, or for other temporary relief necessary in the circumstances of your divorce, such as move-out orders or orders for exclusive use of the marital home.

Additionally, California family law expressly aims to ensure proper division of community property and fair and equitable child support and spousal support awards. Therefore, the Family Code requires that divorcing parties exchange both preliminary and final declarations of disclosure, income and expense declarations, and supporting documents. These documents are mandatory, and must be completed truthfully and accurately.

Our divorce and separation attorneys diligently prepare all necessary documents for our clients, conduct thorough discovery to obtain an accurate and comprehensive picture of the marital estates of our clients, and carefully scrutinize the documents produced by opposing parties to ensure that the court receives an accurate depiction of the marital estate.

It is vital to have skilled counsel to advise and assist you as you navigate the filing, discovery, negotiation, and litigation stages of a divorce. Our firm will ensure that your dissolution — whether contested, uncontested, or default — conforms to all procedures, regulations, and requirements imposed by the state of California.

Serving Divorce Papers on a Spouse You Can’t Find

Here in California, a person must first serve divorce papers in person. Provided you have met the six-month residency requirements for living in California, you can file for divorce here, even if your spouse lives in another state. If the whereabouts of a spouse are unknown and you have made every attempt to find their address, you may ask the court’s permission to either publish the summons in “a newspaper of general circulation” or have the summons posted by the court clerk at the courthouse.

Factors That Impact the Cost of Divorce in the Bay Area

Although it is impossible to precisely predict the cost of your dissolution, the following factors can affect the timeline, complexity, and overall cost of a divorce:

• Whether there are children, and if the parties can agree on child custody
• The nature of the contested issues
• The number of issues on which the parties agree
• The level of cooperation between the opposing parties and lawyers
• Whether there are litigation costs, such as expert witness or court reporter fees
• Your attorney’s hourly rate

Why Choose Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.

When facing divorce or legal separation, having the right legal team behind you can make all the difference. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we combine exceptional legal skill with unwavering client commitment. Led by Debra Schoenberg — repeatedly named one of California’s Top Family Lawyers by The Daily Journal — our firm has earned a reputation for excellence in even the most complex and high-stakes family law matters.

• Proven Track Record – Consistently ranked the #1 Family Law Firm in California by The Recorder’s “Best Of” Awards (2021–2025), reflecting both our results and our reputation in the legal community.
• Depth of Experience – Combined experience of hundreds of years of practice in divorce, legal separation, custody disputes, and high-asset property division.
• Strategic, Individualized Approach – We tailor our strategies to each client’s goals, achieving positive outcomes through negotiation, mediation, or courtroom advocacy.
• Comprehensive Resources – Access to respected financial experts, custody evaluators, and forensic specialists to address every facet of your case.
• Client-Centered Service – We guide you through the legal process with clarity, discretion, and steadfast support.
• Powerful Advocacy for Children – During the difficult dissolution and custody process and the transition to co-parenting, our first priority is your child’s best interests.

Whether your matter involves a straightforward separation or a complex dispute spanning businesses, investments, and custody, our mission is the same: to protect your rights, secure your future, and help you move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in San Francisco

When does my divorce become final in San Francisco?

In California, your divorce becomes final on the effective date. This date will be at least six months plus one day after service of the summons and petition. The effective date will be inserted into the final judgment for dissolution. If the parties agree on the settlement terms, including an effective date, this can be included in the judgment packet submitted to the court. Otherwise, the court will typically enter the effective date in the judgment after it processes all of the judgment paperwork (if you settle) or following a trial (if you litigate contested matters).

The date your divorce decree is signed by the judge and becomes final is important for many reasons. It affects your right to remarry, your eligibility for health insurance from your former spouse, and your filing status for income taxes. Your marital settlement agreement also establishes various rights and obligations.

Contact a San Francisco Divorce Lawyer for a Confidential Consultation

Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., offers the San Francisco Bay Area hundreds of years of combined experience counseling clients in all aspects of marital dissolution and legal separation proceedings. We will thoroughly explain all issues related to your divorce to ensure that your rights are protected and the final dissolution judgment is both equitable and fair.

Although couples can reach agreements directly with each other, an attorney is ethically prohibited from representing two people with conflicting interests who are in dispute. Each party must have separate representation. Even the most straightforward divorce can quickly escalate into conflict. Our goal is to help you have the most amicable divorce possible and achieve positive outcomes based on your particular goals and priorities.

We know you have many questions, anxieties, and specific concerns. Our legal team builds client relationships based on integrity, trust, clear information, and fluid communication. We invite you to sit down with one of our experienced San Francisco divorce attorneys. You can contact us online, or call us at 415.834.1120.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. directly.