DIVORCE LAWYERS · CALIFORNIA
Experienced Divorce Attorneys
Focused on Your Future
Divorce doesn't have to mean conflict, confusion, or losing what matters most. At Next Legal, we give every client a clear path forward.
Avvo 9.8 · Paul Donsbach
CA Certified Specialist
Martindale Peer Review Rated
4.2 ★ Google
★★★★★
4.2 Google
30 Reviews
Avvo 9.8
Paul Donsbach
Martindale
Peer Review Rated
CA Certified
Specialist
"Ending a marriage is one of the most significant decisions a person will ever make. Whether your divorce is straightforward or involves contested issues around property, children, or support, the legal choices you make in the early stages can shape your life for years to come."
At Next Legal, our family law attorneys bring deep courtroom experience and a settlement-first mindset to every case. We help middle and upper-middle income families across the Bay Area resolve their divorces efficiently, fairly, and with as little conflict as possible — so you can get through this and move forward.
We handle all types of divorce in California, from uncontested cases to complex disputes involving real estate, retirement accounts, small businesses, and custody arrangements.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Why Legal Representation Matters
Do You Need a Divorce Attorney in California?
California does not require you to hire an attorney to file for divorce — but proceeding without one carries real risk, even in cases that seem simple. Divorce is both an emotional and a legal process. Agreements you reach without legal guidance may be unfair, unenforceable, or may overlook issues you'll only realize later.
Legal representation is especially important when your case involves any of the following:
Children and custody arrangements
A family home or real estate
Retirement accounts, 401(k)s, and pensions
A small business or self-employment income
Significant debts
Spousal support disputes
Disagreements about property division
★★★★★
4.8 Google | 0iAvvo 9.8000| Super Lawyersii0| Martidale
18 Reviews i| Paul Donsbach | 2023 · 2024 · 2025.| Peer Review
00000000000000000000000000000000000000l| Rated
HOW DIVORCE WORKS IN CALIFORNIA
The California Divorce Process — What to Expect
California is a no-fault divorce state, which means either spouse can file for divorce without proving wrongdoing. The process follows these general stages:
01 Filing the Petition
One spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Superior Court, along with a Summons and required financial forms.
02 Serving Your Spouse
Your spouse must be formally served with the divorce papers and has 30 days to file a response.
03 Financial Disclosures
Both parties exchange Preliminary Declarations of Disclosure detailing income, expenses, assets, and debts. This is a required step in every California divorce.
04 Negotiation, Mediation, or Litigation
Most divorces settle through negotiation or mediation. If agreement cannot be reached, a judge decides the contested issues at trial.
05 Final Judgment
Once all issues are resolved, the judge signs a Judgment of Dissolution. California requires a mandatory six-month waiting period before a divorce can take effect.
Over 95% of divorce cases settle before trial. At Next Legal, we work toward early resolution — but we are fully prepared to litigate if settlement isn't possible.
WHAT GETS DECIDED IN A DIVORCE
Key Issues in a California Divorce
Your divorce must address all major legal and financial matters arising from the end of your marriage. The primary areas include:
01 Property Division
California is a community property state, meaning most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are split equally. This includes the family home, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement funds, and debt. Determining what is community property versus separate property (assets owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance) is often where disputes arise.
Our attorneys help clients identify and correctly classify all assets, negotiate fair settlements, and — when necessary — work with appraisers and financial experts to ensure nothing is overlooked.
02 Child Custody & Parenting Plans
When children are involved, their best interests are the court's primary concern. California courts consider each parent's relationship with the child, stability of each home, proximity of each parent, and each parent's ability to support the child's needs. Custody arrangements address both legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (where the child lives).
Our attorneys help parents negotiate workable parenting schedules, draft comprehensive plans, and advocate in contested hearings when necessary.
03 Child Support
California uses a statewide formula to calculate child support based on both parents' incomes and the percentage of time each parent spends with the child. Our attorneys ensure support orders are accurate and reflect the true financial picture of both households.
04 Spousal Support
Courts consider many factors in awarding spousal support, including the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, the marital standard of living, and each party's financial needs. Support may be temporary (during the proceedings) or long-term (as part of the final judgment). We represent clients on both sides of support disputes.
OUR APPROACH
How Next Legal Works
We start every case with a thorough consultation to understand your goals, your family's situation, and the issues that matter most to you. From there, we build a strategy tailored to your circumstances — whether that means negotiating a quick and fair settlement or preparing for litigation.
At Next Legal, we encourage early settlement in every case because we believe it saves our clients time, money, and emotional strain. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and experienced mediators. But when the other side isn't acting in good faith, we don't hesitate to take the case to court.
You'll always know where your case stands. We communicate proactively and respond quickly — because we understand that uncertainty makes an already stressful experience worse.
SERVICES
Our Family Law Services
Next Legal's family law attorneys combine legal expertise, knowledge of California court procedures, and a commitment to resolution-focused strategies that protect what matters most to you.
Divorce and Legal separation
Uncontested and Contested Divorce
Child Custody and Parenting Plans
Child Support
Spousal Support
Property Division
Mediation and Collaborative Divorce
Post-Judgment Modifications
Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
For cases involving substantial assets, business interests, or complex financial arrangements, please see our High-Asset Divorce page →
WHY NEXT LEGAL
Why Clients Choose Next Legal
Experienced attorneys, real results. Our family law attorneys have handled hundreds of divorce cases across the Bay Area, from Palo Alto and the Peninsula to Walnut Creek and the East Bay. We know the courts, we know the judges, and we know what it takes to reach durable outcomes.
Settlement-first, litigation-ready. We work hard to resolve your case without a trial — but we never enter negotiations unprepared. Our clients get the benefit of attorneys who are ready to go to court if that's what it takes.
Responsive and direct. You won't be handed off to a paralegal and left wondering. We keep you informed throughout the process and give you clear, honest advice about your options.
Bay Area offices. We serve clients across the Bay Area from our offices in Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, and Pleasanton.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in California?
An uncontested divorce takes a minimum of six months due to the mandatory waiting period. Most contested divorces resolve within 12 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the issues and whether the case goes to trial.
How much does a divorce cost?
Cost depends on the complexity of your case and the level of conflict. Uncontested divorces with few disputed issues cost significantly less than contested cases that require discovery, expert witnesses, or trial. We provide honest cost estimates after learning about your situation.
What if my spouse doesn't want a divorce?
California is a no-fault state. Either spouse can file for divorce regardless of whether the other agrees. Your spouse's refusal to participate does not prevent the divorce from proceeding.
Can I modify custody or support after the divorce is final?
Yes. California courts allow post-judgment modifications when there has been a significant change in circumstances — such as a change in income, a relocation, or a child's changing needs. We assist with both requesting and opposing modifications.
What is the difference between divorce and legal separation?
Divorce ends the marriage entirely. Legal separation allows spouses to live apart and formalize their financial arrangements without dissolving the marriage — which some couples prefer for insurance, tax, or religious reasons.
What is mediation, and is it right for my case?
Mediation is a structured process where a neutral third party helps both spouses negotiate an agreement outside of court. It tends to be faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than litigation. It works best when both parties are willing to communicate in good faith.
TEAM
Meet the Team
Our family law attorneys handle divorce cases across the Bay Area — from straightforward uncontested filings to contested custody, support, and property disputes.
Paul Donsbach
OWNER AND MAIN ATTORNEY
Paul is a Certified Family Law Specialist who has practiced law for more than 30 years. He has successfully resolved hundreds of complex cases on behalf of his clients, ranging from celebrities and high-net-worth individuals to small business owners and families. Paul’s strengths are his deep knowledge of family, business and property law, his expertise in courtroom advocacy, and his competitive focus on achieving client goals.
Zelikha Dost
PARTNER
Zelikha (pronounced za-LAY-ha) is a partner with our law firm. She has practiced family law exclusively since earning her law degree in 2015. During law school, she decided to focus on family law due to her concern for the rights of parents and children in high-conflict family relationships and financial disputes. Now in her eighth year of law practice, Zelikha combines her exceptionally diverse academic background with her competitive approach to winning cases and her compassion for spouses, parents and children facing difficult situations.
Allison L. Gotsch
ATTORNEY
Allison is an experienced attorney who has practiced law for more than 25 years. With extensive experience in family law, estate planning, wills and trusts, business law and real estate law, she represents clients across the full spectrum of family law issues, including child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, business valuations and reimbursements. She obtained her law degree with honors, was an editor on the law review and was awarded the Order of the Coif.
Gisele Martinez
ATTORNEY
Gisele has practiced law for three years, with an emphasis on complex family law, divorce and child custody cases. She also has experience in juvenile and criminal law and receiverships. During law school, she won prestigious CALI awards for alternative dispute resolution and ethics in criminal justice. Gisele is a gifted courtroom advocate and skilled negotiator who understands that client needs are generally best served through early settlements, thus avoiding the costs and burdens of litigation.
Jasreen Gill
ATTORNEY
Jasreen has a Bachelor of Arts in English and graduated from University of San Diego School of Law. She has experience in family law and is extremely passionate about cases involving children and domestic violence. Jasreen understands that the legal world can be daunting, but ensures that a client's needs and goals are heard by always approaching matters empathetically
Georgia Derhak
ATTORNEY
Georgia is a graduate of the Paul M. Herbert Law Center, Louisiana State University, where she was a member of the Women’s Law Student Association and the Public Interest Law Society. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In addition to her experience in family law, she has worked in juvenile law and personal injury law.
Mandy Griffin
PARALEGAL
Mandy is a licensed paralegal with more than seven years of experience in family law. She earned her paralegal certification at Floyd College, and has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia. In addition to her extensive experience in family law, Mandy has nine years of experience in civil law.
Savannah Rogers
PARALEGAL
Savannah has a Paralegal certificate from San Francisco State University. She graduated from Boise State University where she received her degree in Business Administration. She combines her academic knowledge with practical experience to provide comprehensive support to our attorneys and clients. Savannah is now in the process of taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and applying to different law schools.
Olivia Reynolds
Olivia has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She has worked as a Legal Intern in family law, real estate and probate law.
Emily Carlton
Emily graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelors degree in Political Science with High Honors. During her university studies, she was a writer for the Berkeley Political Review, a fellow with the Commonwealth Club World Affairs forum, a mentor for the Starting Point program, and a legislative intern for Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
Cielo De Guzman
Cielo earned her degree in Business Administration from San Sebastian College in the Philippines. She leverages her theoretical understanding and hands-on experience to offer extensive assistance to our legal team and clients. Cielo Andrea has been a part of the firm for seven years, assisting clients with billing and administrative inquiries.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
What Our Clients Are Saying
★★★★★
"They made me feel like part of their family, safeguarded and supported at every step. I have complete faith in their guidance, and thanks to them, I have achieved remarkable victories."
- ERIKA RENDON
★★★★★
"Definitely use this law firm! My attorney and her team helped me secure one half of a financial profit from a house sale that was legally mine.
- SABRINA HUNTER
OUR OFFICES
Serving Clients Across the Bay Area
Next Legal's top-rated family law attorneys combine legal expertise and local knowledge of specific court procedures with a steadfast commitment to resolution-focused strategies
For cases involving significant assets, executive compensation, business interests, or complex financial arrangements, please see our High-Asset Divorce page for Palo Alto and Walnut Creek.
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:30am–5pm
Phone
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Disclaimer and Legal Notice
Laws evolve constantly, and past results do not always guarantee future outcomes. The information on this page does not constitute formal legal advice, and we highly recommend booking a legal consultation with one of our experienced divorce attorneys to discuss your specific situation.
Take the First Step — Speak with a
Divorce Attorney Today
Divorce is difficult. Having the right attorney makes it manageable. At Next Legal, we offer a confidential consultation to help you understand your options and what to expect. Whether your case is simple or complex, we're ready to help.
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