San Diego Divorce Lawyer


We Handle Uncontested and Contested Divorce Cases in San Diego


At Aloha Law, PC, our San Diego divorce attorney is an experienced, reliable advocate for clients. With a commitment to help clients navigate divorce in an amicable, cost-effective manner, we have the legal expertise that you can trust for the full range of family law matters—from property division to child custody. Are you preparing for a divorce? Contact us at our San Diego law office today for your confidential, no-obligation initial consultation with a top California divorce lawyer. 

The Starting Point: Two Options for Divorce

In California, divorce cases are generally divided into two main categories: 

  • Uncontested Divorce: The better option for the vast majority of people, an uncontested divorce is a divorce where both parties agree on all terms—from property distribution to alimony to child custody. A court is not required to litigate specific matters as the couple has reached a settlement agreement. Uncontested divorces save time, money, and stress. 

  • Contested Divorce: If no settlement can be reached, you have a contested divorce. A contested divorce that cannot be settled will involve a trial where a judge will make the final decision on the disputed issues after hearing from both parties. To be clear, only a small share of divorces go to trial in California—but it is a possibility to be aware of. 

An Overview of the Divorce Process in California

Are you considering divorce in San Diego? You are not alone. Nearly half of U.S. marriages will eventually end a divorce or a separation. Notably, divorce cases are handled at the state level. Here are key points to understand about the basics of the divorce process in California: 

  • Residency is Required: To file for divorce in California, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for six months and of the county where filing for three months prior to the petition. If you or your spouse have resided in San Diego County for the last three months, you can file for divorce within this county. 

  • All Divorces are No-Fault Divorces: Fault is not an issue in a divorce in California. The process is more forward-looking. California is a no-fault divorce state. You and your spouse can get divorced based on the no-fault grounds of irreconcilable differences that have contributed to a breakdown of the relationship. 

  • Community Property Standard: As noted by the California Courts, our state is one of a minority of U.S. jurisdictions that operates under a community property standard. The law treats all marital assets and debts acquired during the marriage as community property—meaning they are owned equally by both spouses. 

  • Best Interests of Child (Custody/Visitation): Parents of young kids or teenagers who are going through a divorce in San Diego must be prepared to work out issues related to custody and visitation. Under California law (Cal. Fam. Code § 3040), the best interests of the child standard is used to make custody/visitation determinations. Joint custody is favored. 

Divorce is About Far More than Paperwork: Resolving All Material Family Law Matters

A divorce can be a paperwork-intensive process—especially if you are part of a high-net-worth couple or you otherwise have a complex case. With that being said, a divorce is about a lot more than filing out some forms. It is about ensuring that all key family law issues are resolved so that you are best set up for a better, more stable tomorrow. At Aloha Law, PC, our San Diego divorce attorney has the skills and experience to help you with the full range of family law issues, including: 

  • Property Division: Your marital property is subject to distribution under California’s community property standard. Dividing property—especially complex assets like real estate, business interests, and retirement assets—can be challenging. 

  • Debt Division: In California, debt is also subject to the community property standard. As part of your divorce, you and your spouse will have to address marital debt. 

  • Spousal Support (Alimony): Spousal support is a payment made from one spouse to the other during the divorce process or after the separation. It is not required by California for every divorce but can be ordered by a court when deemed appropriate.  

  • Child Custody and Visitation: Child custody and child visitation can be highly sensitive matters for divorcing parents in San Diego. You will generally want to leave the divorce process with a comprehensive parenting plan in place. 

  • Child Support: California has state guidelines in place for child support. These guidelines are presumed to be applicable, but they can be deviated from if shown to be warranted. 

Why Trust Our San Diego Divorce Lawyer

Ending a marriage is hard. You and your spouse may both know that it is the right decision, but that does not mean it will be a simple process. Conflicts and complications can arise for a wide range of different reasons. Our founder and principal attorney T. Healoha Lee, Esq. is a San Diego divorce lawyer with decades of family law experience. She helps clients navigate difficult times with skill, compassion, empathy, and focus on the future. You can rely on our San Diego divorce attorney for: 

  • Family Law Expertise: Our San Diego divorce lawyer brings years of dedicated experience in family law. It is a level of deep expertise that allows us to offer top-quality legal advice. 

  • Personal Support: Every marriage is different. We always invest the time and resources needed to provide truly personalized divorce representation to our clients. 

  • An Emphasis On Collaboration: We know that you do not want your divorce to turn nasty. We believe in the power of collaboration to resolve divorces—saving time and money. 

Contact Our San Diego, CA, Divorce Attorney for Your Confidential Consultation 

At Aloha Law, PC, our San Diego divorce lawyer has the knowledge, compassion, and experience that you can depend on. Whether you are preparing for an uncontested or a contested divorce, we can help. Contact us today to set up your fully confidential, no-obligation initial consultation. From our San Diego law office, we handle divorce cases throughout San Diego County, including in National City, San Marcos, Oceanside, Chula Vista, Spring Valley, Carlsbad, El Cajon, and Escondido.