Beverly Hills Divorce Lawyer

Beverly Hills Divorce Lawyers Helping You Find a Brighter Future Ahead

There are plenty of reasons to call it quits on a marriage. When the time comes and the decision has been made, it can feel overwhelming as to what the next step is in the process. When you factor in the many ways a married couple is enmeshed, such as children, marital property, and assets, it only complicates matters more. A Beverly Hills divorce lawyer is an ideal solution to make this process easier for both parties.

From starting the process in terms of divorce forms and answering initial questions to representing clients in final negotiations, divorce attorneys ensure your best interests are a priority during this troubling time in life. With over 15 years of experience in assisting California families through divorce, the team at Benefield Faulk Law can represent your interests. Divorce is never easy, no matter the relationship, and it will require the legal assistance of a skilled family attorney.

Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Some couples may be able to navigate the process of divorce on their own, but this is usually a rare occurrence. The fact of the matter is that divorce is often a lengthy, complex, and emotionally fraught event. When you consider that there may be minor children involved, properties and assets, or other legally binding, joint obligations, a reliable family law lawyer is the smartest option to make ending a marriage more manageable.

Even in a divorce without children at the center of the fight, divorce cases may still turn ugly between two people out of spite. An experienced divorce attorney can help keep communication civil for a cleaner break. Another sign that you need an attorney is if your spouse has already hired one of their own.

You need to make sure your best interests are represented, which is where divorce lawyers come in. Representing your own interests without knowledge of the legalities against a trained, experienced divorce attorney may end up with your spouse getting everything they want in the settlement.

What is the Difference Between a Fault and No-Fault Divorce?

A no-fault divorce is when a married couple cites the reason for divorce as mutual rather than one party blaming the other for the breakup of the marriage. The terms used for a no-fault divorce are pretty common, such as “irreconcilable differences” or other ways of stating that the marriage is “irretrievable.” A no-fault divorce usually means that a couple is incapable of getting along and the marriage is over, but neither party is to blame. Even in a no-fault divorce case citing irreconcilable differences, divorce attorneys are still helpful when dealing with matters such as child-related issues and division of assets.

When one spouse finds blame or fault with the other, this is a fault divorce, which is where divorce attorneys become even more essential for both parties. The reasons for a fault divorce include adultery, abuse, addiction to drugs or alcohol, being arrested for a crime, and other acts that may be seen as breaking the basis of the marriage contract. It is basically a form of misconduct that one spouse sees as a deal-breaker in terms of continuing the marriage. This type of divorce case requires evidence of the misconduct to be presented to the court.

Beverly Hills Divorce Rate

No matter how amicable you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse currently are, divorce can be a messy and emotionally challenging process. In 2023, the California divorce rate was 7.45%, meaning that 75 people out of every 1,000 residents in the state had experienced a divorce at some point in their lifetime. On a national scale, this is largely seen as a decline from previous rates. Declining divorce rates can be attributed to the following factors:

• Late marriages. In 2025, the average age for individuals entering marriage is 32. When couples wed later in life, they have a better sense of overall maturity and more financial stability, leading to a stronger union that can often be more resilient to the challenges in life.
• Shifts in culture. Changes in social and cultural norms may also be the cause of a declining divorce rate, as couples are now, more than ever before, encouraged to have a more open dialogue concerning their relationship. This can reduce the number of misunderstandings that have traditionally led to divorce.
• Cohabitation. Often frowned upon in the past, more and more couples are choosing to live together before getting married. This allows them the opportunity to evaluate their overall compatibility as a couple before making such a serious and legal commitment as a marriage.

However, despite all these factors, divorce still happens every day across California. In Beverly Hills, known for its glamorous and upscale lifestyle, divorces can involve significant assets and wealth. Having a divorce attorney on your side can be crucial for the outcome of your case.

The Divorce Timeline in Beverly Hills

No matter the circumstances, divorce can be a difficult and complex legal process. For many, a divorce case might be the first time they will be required to step inside the Los Angeles County Superior Court–West District in Beverly Hills. This can be both intimidating and overwhelming, so having a better understanding of the process that lies ahead of you can be beneficial. For most divorce cases, the legal timeline will follow these steps:

• Initial case filing. To start the case, one of the spouses will need to officially file for divorce and serve the other spouse with the necessary court papers. That spouse will then have a set number of days to file their official response to the petition for divorce.
• Disclosure of information. Each spouse will then be legally required to disclose all their financial information. This will likely involve the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure, which is the required form that will accurately state each spouse’s financial situation.
• Decision-making. There are several decisions, or areas of contention, that the couple will need to reach agreement on. If they cannot resolve these issues on their own, they will need to have a judge make those determinations for them.
• Submission of final paperwork. Once all decisions have been made, the divorce can be finalized. To finalize a divorce, you and your spouse will need to fill out all final-order paperwork, submit these orders to the county clerk’s office, wait for the judge to review the forms and sign them, and then receive copies of the signed judgment. This judgment will state the date on which your marriage is officially terminated.

Common Areas of Contention in a Beverly Hills Divorce

During a divorce, you and your spouse will need to reach decisions regarding certain aspects of your life. At Benefield Faulk Law, we have experience in handling a number of complicated divorce issues and areas of contention, including the following:

• Child support. In California, when a couple shares minor children, the parents have an equal responsibility to support their child and provide for their needs. When it is left up to the courts to determine child support awards in a divorce case, they will take several factors into account, including the income of both parents, how much time the child spends with each of their parents, and the exact needs of the child.
• Spousal support. This is quite often one of the most contested issues in a Beverly Hills divorce. There are two main kinds of spousal support: temporary or permanent. When a judge is deciding whether and how much spousal support to award, they will take into consideration factors like the duration of the marriage, the health and age of the parties, the income of both parties, and the needs of each party.
• Division of property. In 2023, the median household income for families residing in Beverly Hills was $127,979. With such high levels of wealth often involved between couples, the division of property in a California divorce can be a complicated and contentious issue. Marital property that will need to be divided can include real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles, along with debts like loans or credit cards.

Will a Divorce Lawyer Help with Child Custody?

If you and your spouse are going through a divorce with children involved, divorce attorneys will likely assist in negotiating child custody as part of the divorce settlement. Since divorce attorneys still practice under the umbrella of family law, they will be able to handle negotiating both legal custody (the right to make decisions about medical, educational, and welfare matters on behalf of your child) and physical custody (where the child will live).

Whether seeking sole or joint custody, divorce attorneys will work to arrange this with your spouse’s lawyer until terms are agreed upon. The divorce lawyer will also assist in financial matters such as child support payments and alimony.

Is a Divorce Lawyer Worth the Cost?

When you consider all of the things a person stands to lose in a poorly negotiated divorce (child custody, properties, and assets) and the possibility of monthly payments of child support and alimony, there is no denying that having an experienced lawyer on your side is a smart move. While some people only look at lawyer fees in the here-and-now sense of money spent for representation, a poorly negotiated divorce case when so much is at stake may have longer-lasting impacts than the cost of the attorney.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in California?

A: How much it may cost to hire a divorce lawyer in California will vary from lawyer to lawyer. Every attorney is different, so the way in which they can structure their fees will vary. However, some common factors can influence the final cost of many divorce cases, including the duration and complexity of your case, along with your attorney’s level of experience.

Q: How Does Property Division Work in a California Divorce?

A: When you and your spouse work to divide your marital assets, you will need to keep several aspects of that process in mind. First, you will need to identify all your shared, or marital, assets and liabilities. This can include all real property, businesses, retirement accounts, and debts. You will then need to valuate these assets, which may require the help of appraisers or accountants.

Q: How Can an Attorney Help Me With a Divorce in California?

A: Though having an attorney’s assistance during a divorce case is not legally required in California, their presence and knowledge can be crucial for seeking the most favorable outcome possible in your case. Your attorney can work to protect your assets and interests, help prepare your children, gather necessary documentation, and negotiate a settlement that works right for you.

Q: How Long Can a Divorce Take in Beverly Hills?

A: Depending on the nature of your divorce case, it may take only a few months to several years. Various factors can affect the timeline of a divorce, including the areas of contention between you and your spouse, the complexity of the property division, and the degree of cooperation between all involved parties.

Can a Lawyer Help?

Divorce is hardly a simple and quick solution for most couples. We understand the complexities of family law cases, both in a practical sense and the emotional impact, which is why we are ready to fight for you. Contact our law firm at (310) 271-7675 today to find out how we can help.