in a statewide poll limited to Judges, Attorneys, and Law Firm Administrators.
Request a Consultation
The transition from a shared life to an independent one is rarely seamless. What may begin as a mutual agreement can rapidly devolve into a dispute over valuations, support, or parental rights. Our Beverly Hills divorce attorneys act as both shield and strategist, ensuring that your rights are upheld throughout the Los Angeles Superior Court system. We proudly represent clients throughout all of Beverly Hills, including those in Bel Air, Holmby Hills, West Hollywood, and the greater Los Angeles area.
While California is a “no-fault” state, the complexity of a case is often determined by the nature of the marital estate. You should consult a Beverly Hills divorce attorney immediately if your dissolution involves:
Our firm is equipped with the resources and experience to handle every peripheral issue that may arise during the dissolution process, including:
By providing full-service representation, we ensure that every legal avenue is explored to protect your personal and financial interests. Whether your case is straightforward or multifaceted, we offer the steady guidance needed to navigate the Los Angeles Superior Court system.
In California, there are three primary legal avenues to alter your marital status. We help you determine which is most appropriate for your personal and financial goals:
Even in high-stakes environments, not every case belongs in a courtroom. Many Beverly Hills residents prefer mediation to maintain privacy and control.
Choosing an alternative dispute resolution path can significantly reduce the emotional and financial toll on your family. Our legal team is committed to helping you reach a dignified resolution that prioritizes your privacy and long-term goals.
California is a community property state, meaning all assets and debts acquired between the date of marriage and the date of separation are owned equally.
Key Distinction: Separate property (assets owned prior to marriage, or those received via gift or inheritance during the marriage) remains the sole property of that spouse.
Our team excels at characterization and tracing, ensuring that your separate property remains yours and that community assets are shared equitably.
In Beverly Hills, spousal support is often a central point of contention. The court considers the standard of living established during the marriage and the factors outlined in California Family Code Section 4320, which include:
The goal is to ensure both parties can maintain a lifestyle as close to the one established during the union. Our Beverly Hills divorce attorneys advocate for support structures that are both fair and sustainable, whether you are the party seeking support or the one providing it.
One of the most sensitive aspects of any divorce is ensuring the well-being of your children. In Beverly Hills, where parents often have demanding professional schedules and significant resources, custody and support agreements require a higher level of detail and foresight.
California law (Family Code § 3011) mandates that all custody decisions be based on the child’s health, safety, and welfare. In the Beverly Hills context, judges look for arrangements that provide:
While California uses a statewide “guideline” formula for child support, Beverly Hills cases often involve “Extraordinarily High Earners.” Under Family Code § 4057, the court has the discretion to deviate downward from the standard formula if the guideline amount exceeds the child’s “reasonable needs” commensurate with the parents’ station in life. We work with forensic accountants to establish a lifestyle analysis that accurately reflects your child’s actual expenses—including private security, nannies, tutors, and private travel—ensuring support is fair rather than punitive.
Divorce isn’t just a legal process—it’s a life transition that calls for far more than courtroom experience. It demands absolute discretion, forward-thinking strategy, and genuine sensitivity to the emotional and financial stakes involved. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we deliver personalized, attentive representation designed to guide you through every phase with clarity and confidence.
Our practice is led by Debra Schoenberg, a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist who brings nearly four decades of focused experience resolving high-stakes divorces and custody disputes. Her deep expertise in complex, high-asset matters ensures we handle each case with sharp tactical insight and realistic, client-centered solutions.
Working with our team means you receive:
We are committed to the highest standards of integrity, privacy, and outcome-focused service for individuals navigating sophisticated divorce challenges in Beverly Hills and beyond.
All procedures relating to divorce in this jurisdiction go through the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Handling general family law and complex litigation.
Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Serving the West District, including Beverly Hills.
The Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has spent decades navigating the complexities of California family law. We combine the trial-tested aggression of a litigation firm with the discretion required for our Westside clientele.
Contact our Beverly Hills divorce lawyers at 310-340-1846 or fill out our online form to discuss your case and begin planning your next chapter.
"I was seeking a reputable family law firm for my prenuptial agreement and received high praise for the Schoenberg Law Group. My attorney listened to my questions and responded to them very patiently. She also paid close attention all my concerns and made sure I was aware of the legal value of the agreement I was about to sign. It was…”
D.R.“It has been a real blessing to find this family law group in my life. I was in the middle of a custody battle with my ex wife and had a lawyer who had sided with my ex wife’s lawyer. I was faced with the option of paying to a regular lawyer to do half jobs with no results or to invest a bit more for a top family counselor who understood my situation and at the same time not giving me false hopes."
A.L."I hesitated filing papers for a long time because I was not sure if I could survive a long legal battle. When we were married, my husband worked while I raised the children, two under four years old, and I was afraid I would lose the stability they needed. I had a wonderful group of friends that helped me search for a reputable law firm that could represent me when my focus was on my children. They found the"
L.A.We are trial lawyers who litigate high-conflict, high-stakes cases. While we try to build on mediation efforts and exhaust opportunities for a negotiated agreement, emotions, egos and various other realities often force these disputes into court. It is critical to work with a firm that knows how to apply the law and the facts in your favor, whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table.
Debra Schoenberg was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Designated as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization
Board-Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
One of California’s Top Family Lawyers for five consecutive years: 2022–2026
SFLG Voted #1 Family Law Firm in California for six consecutive years: 2021 - 2026
One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by San Francisco Business Times
“My goal is to preserve your dignity and your humanity throughout what can be a very difficult and painful process, while at the same time achieving a favorable outcome on your behalf.”
Over 400 Years of Collective Family Law Experience
Debra R. Schoenberg
Owner & Founder
Lily Huang
Senior Associate
Kimia Kojouri
Associate
Miho Takarada
Senior Counsel
To file in Los Angeles County, at least one spouse must have resided in California for six months and in the county (L.A. County) for three months prior to the filing.
The court focuses on the best interests of the child. This includes health, safety, and frequent contact with both parents. In Beverly Hills, we often negotiate "parenting plans" that account for high-travel schedules and security needs.
If the business was started or grew during the marriage, the community likely has an interest in it. We work with valuation experts to determine the "goodwill" and fair market value of the business to ensure an equitable split or buyout.
While court filings are generally public, we often utilize private judges and mediation to keep sensitive financial disclosures and personal testimony out of the public record.
The standard filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Los Angeles Superior Court is typically between $435-$450, though additional fees may apply.
It is the date when one spouse expresses a final intent to end the marriage and there is a physical separation either within the same home or two different homes. This date is vital because income earned and assets acquired after this point are typically characterized as separate property rather than community property.
If the state’s child support formula produces a support amount that far exceeds the child's actual needs, the court can deviate downward. This is common in Beverly Hills when one parent's income reaches the upper seven-figure range or higher.
A valid prenuptial agreement can override California’s 50/50 community property laws. However, these agreements can be challenged if they were signed under duress or without full financial disclosure.
Not necessarily. Many hearings in Los Angeles County can now be handled via remote video appearance. Additionally, if your case is resolved through mediation, you may never need to set foot in a courtroom.
In high-asset cases, we employ forensic accountants to perform a lifestyle analysis and trace funds. California law imposes severe sanctions on spouses who hide assets, including potentially awarding 100% of the hidden asset to the other spouse.
