San Francisco Divorce Lawyers

We Address All Aspects of Divorce 

Understanding the Divorce Process in San Francisco, CA

The divorce process in San Francisco follows California family law and is managed through the San Francisco Superior Court, conveniently located at the Civic Center Courthouse. To start the process, one spouse must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and serve the necessary legal papers to the other party. Throughout the proceeding, temporary orders may be established, covering issues like child custody, spousal support, or use of marital property. While the court’s Family Law Division provides access to resources, navigating the steps, deadlines, and necessary documentation can be overwhelming. Our team at Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP leverages decades of experience to guide clients through the local process, ensuring that all filings and responses strictly comply with county protocols, court rules, and statutory requirements. We focus on minimizing stress and streamlining each step, so you are never left guessing about forms, hearings, or next actions.

For residents in San Francisco, unique aspects of community life—such as substantial tech holdings, international connections, and specific local residency rules—may shape divorce strategies. At Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP, we tailor each case to align with California law and the realities of living in the city. We frequently assist with cases involving international travel, relocation, or complex separate property acquired outside San Francisco. By leveraging our relationships with court clerks and using our knowledge of local procedures, we offer clients significant advantages in timing, process management, and communication. Our approach ensures a clear path, regular updates, and unwavering advocacy from the initial petition through final judgment.

Divorce is a difficult time for most people. Not only can many overwhelming emotions arise during this process, but the process itself can be overwhelming for many people. If you need to end your marriage so you can build a brighter future, you need compassionate and dedicated family law attorneys who can help you achieve your divorce goals. 

The San Francisco divorce attorneys at Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP share more than 65 years of combined legal experience. When it comes to helping people disentangle their lives from their spouses or significant others, we possess the necessary experience, skill, and compassion to complete this divorce process. Divorce often involves a variety of issues and there is more than one path to achieving your goals. No matter how you wish to proceed or what you hope to achieve, rest assured that our committed divorce lawyers serving San Francisco, CA, will have your best interests in mind and will guide you with information and consideration of options. 

Call (415) 855-9344 today to request a consultation with our San Francisco divorce lawyers. 

How Our Divorce Lawyers in San Francisco Can Help

We previously mentioned that divorce can include many different issues. Sometimes, spouses are able to agree on a resolution of all of the issues; other times, they cannot agree on any of them. Regardless of the path needed to resolve the family law issues, the San Francisco divorce attorneys at Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP will help guide you to the best possible outcome. 

When you work with a divorce attorney in San Francisco, understanding local procedures is critical to achieving an efficient and successful resolution. Our lawyers are deeply familiar with the San Francisco Family Court’s specific requirements for forms, scheduling, and deadlines. We assist clients by ensuring timely filings and maintaining compliance with state and county mandates—preventing unnecessary delays at every stage. Our specific knowledge of the local legal community, negotiation trends, and mediation practices in San Francisco empowers clients to make informed choices, whether negotiating outside of court or litigating contested issues in a local courtroom.

We can address many different family law issues, such as:

• Property Division
• Spousal Support 
• Child Custody & Child Support 
• International Family Law 
• Enforcement of, or challenges to, Premarital, Postmarital, and Cohabitation Agreements 

Our divorce attorneys serving San Francisco are prepared to help you negotiate or litigate any issue important to you when it comes to your divorce. 

Do You Have to Go to Court for Divorce?

No, you do not have to go to court if you want to get a divorce. 

If you and your spouse can agree or compromise on all issues related to your divorce—such as property division, support, and custody—you typically do not need to appear in court. This type of process is called an "uncontested divorce." In uncontested cases, your San Francisco divorce attorney will help prepare and file the necessary documents, submit proposed agreements to the court, and monitor the court’s approval. By pursuing an uncontested approach, families often avoid lengthy hearings, substantial costs, and emotional stress. However, even in uncontested cases, having an experienced divorce lawyer in San Francisco ensures your settlement aligns with California law and local standards—helping you avoid pitfalls that could affect your future.

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce in California

A divorce may be uncontested or contested. An uncontested divorce means that both parties agree on all divorce-related issues (such as those we mentioned above). If spouses can’t agree on all significant terms of their divorce, this is known as a contested divorce.

For those navigating divorce in San Francisco, understanding these differences is crucial. Local courts often offer streamlined resources and favorable scheduling for uncontested cases, which can lead to a faster and less costly outcome. Our team helps Bay Area clients pursue uncontested divorce when possible, recognizing that amicable beginnings can sometimes turn complex over time. In contested divorces, courtroom proceedings at the San Francisco Superior Court may be necessary. This often involves financial disclosures, preparation for trials, and court hearings—processes where our local experience can be invaluable. Whether your case is uncontested or contested, our divorce lawyers in San Francisco provide comprehensive legal support to guide you toward a fair and efficient resolution.

Generally speaking, successful mediation or collaborative divorce efforts result in uncontested divorce filings. This is because important decisions were made between spouses without the court’s intervention. Contested divorce issues often require litigation to resolve. This can mean leaving important decisions about property and debt division, child custody, support, and more up to a judge. 

Key Considerations for High-Asset & International Divorces in San Francisco

San Francisco’s reputation as a global business and tech hub means many local divorces involve valuable assets or property located both in California and abroad. International divorces, in particular, present unique challenges when laws across jurisdictions or countries must be considered. Our team at Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP has years of experience handling these complex cases, ensuring strict compliance with California’s community property statutes and applicable international treaties, including the Hague Convention in child custody matters. We collaborate with respected accountants and Bay Area legal professionals on behalf of our clients—offering comprehensive support for asset tracing, high-value business division, and cross-border custody disputes in San Francisco.

High-Value Assets & Bay Area Divorce

Divorces involving substantial assets require special attention to issues like equity compensation, start-up shares, vested stock options, and investment portfolios—common in the San Francisco tech sector. At Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP, we approach high-net-worth cases as a coordinated team, working alongside forensic accountants and financial advisors who understand local industries, tax rules, and international holdings. By identifying hidden assets, evaluating business interests, and addressing multi-jurisdictional concerns proactively, we help our clients achieve secure and equitable settlements. Our attorneys remain dedicated to thorough communication and tailored advocacy, so you always know your interests are prioritized throughout your high-asset or international divorce case in San Francisco.

Do I Need Grounds for Divorce in California?

California is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means neither spouse must prove wrongdoing or specific grounds to file for divorce. Most divorces in San Francisco are initiated on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences,” regardless of whether infidelity or other issues occurred. While some states require proof of a particular cause, California courts only require one spouse’s statement that the marriage cannot continue due to irreconcilable differences.

A less common ground for divorce is “incurable insanity.” This basis applies only in rare situations where one spouse can provide convincing medical and psychiatric evidence of the other's permanent mental incapacity. At Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP, our divorce attorneys in San Francisco assist clients in choosing the proper grounds for divorce and guide them through the necessary documentation and court presentations, minimizing unnecessary conflict or confusion.

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a voluntary process where spouses meet with a trained, neutral mediator to reach agreements about their divorce settlement outside the courtroom. Mediation focuses on collaboration and creative problem-solving—an approach often proven effective in San Francisco’s diverse communities.

Our divorce attorneys in San Francisco provide legal guidance throughout the mediation process. We also offer mediation services ourselves, ensuring productive negotiations and clear documentation of agreements. By working collaboratively, clients in mediation can develop tailored solutions for property division, parenting schedules, and financial support, often more quickly and with less expense than litigation. This approach is ideal for couples in the Bay Area who want to maintain control over the process and reach mutually beneficial outcomes with less time spent in court.

Mediation often takes several sessions to complete, but it can be much quicker and more cost-efficient than litigation. However, it usually works best for spouses who maintain an amicable relationship and wish to work together to complete their divorce. Our divorce lawyers in San Francisco help determine whether mediation is right for you and remain available during every stage to protect your rights and interests.

What Is a Collaborative Divorce?

A collaborative divorce also involves negotiation outside of the courtroom, but the spouses each have their own legal counsel. This process may incorporate aspects of mediation along with the guidance of neutral experts, such as child and financial specialists, to foster a comprehensive settlement. The collaborative divorce process is widely used in San Francisco among couples seeking privacy, creative solutions, and a respectful co-parenting relationship after the marriage ends.

Our divorce attorneys in San Francisco regularly partner with CPAs, appraisers, and therapists as part of the interdisciplinary collaborative process. By harnessing professional resources and emphasizing open dialogue, we help clients address all aspects of their divorce—whether dividing complex assets or building child-centered parenting plans. Should negotiations break down, both attorneys are required to withdraw, and the case proceeds to litigation with new representation, protecting the integrity of the collaboration and encouraging a genuine effort toward peaceful resolution.

Do You Have a High Net Worth?

High-asset divorces are common in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. These divorces involve complex financial portfolios and often call for the coordinated efforts of lawyers, accountants, business appraisers, and financial planners. Here are a few types of assets we frequently handle:

• Businesses and professional practices
• Stocks, RSUs, and venture capital interests
• Real estate, including investment and international properties
• Intellectual property such as trademarks and patents
• Cryptocurrency and other digital assets
• Foreign assets or overseas accounts
• Other specialized holdings unique to the Bay Area market

Divorce cases with significant assets demand careful attention to valuation, tax implications, and proper classification under California’s community property law. At Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP, our divorce attorneys in San Francisco work closely with forensic accountants and local industry experts to ensure a complete and accurate division of marital property. We offer practical strategies to identify, evaluate, and divide even the most complicated holdings, while protecting your financial security and future goals.

High-asset divorce requires sophisticated legal representation, and our high net worth divorce lawyers in San Francisco have what it takes to help our clients favorably resolve complicated property division matters. Although spouses hiding assets is uncommon, we can also provide our clients with the resources necessary to help them investigate and discover hidden assets.

Contact Our Divorce Lawyers in San Francisco Now for Legal Guidance

For the legal guidance and support you need to move forward with your divorce, reach out to Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP for focused and compassionate assistance. With over 65 years of combined experience, our divorce lawyers in San Francisco put your best interests first and offer responsive, forward-thinking legal strategies at every stage.

Request a consultation online or give our divorce attorneys in San Francisco a call at (415) 855-9344.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Residency Requirements for Filing Divorce in San Francisco?

To file for divorce in San Francisco, at least one spouse must have been a California resident for at least six months and lived in San Francisco County for at least three months immediately before filing the petition. If residency requirements are not met, the local court cannot proceed with your case. For those who have recently relocated to the Bay Area, our divorce attorneys in San Francisco help determine alternative legal options, such as legal separation, while waiting to meet residency. We thoroughly review each client’s circumstances, ensuring every petition complies with San Francisco Superior Court jurisdiction requirements and that you’re prepared for the next steps as soon as you qualify.

How Long Does It Take to Finalize a Divorce in the San Francisco Bay Area?

In California, the legal minimum period to finalize a divorce is six months from the date the respondent is served. In San Francisco, however, the process can extend well beyond this period due to complex property, contested custody, high asset evaluations, court scheduling, and document discovery. Our divorce attorneys in San Francisco establish early timelines for every case, maintaining ongoing contact about scheduled hearings, required disclosures, and next steps. We set clear expectations and actively pursue timely progress, helping clients understand each stage and minimize delays wherever possible in the local court system.

Can I Get an Out-of-State or International Divorce Recognized in San Francisco?

Recognition of an out-of-state or international divorce judgment by San Francisco courts depends on compliance with California law, proper notification to both parties, and due process. If you need to modify or enforce a judgment from another state or country—especially regarding child custody, visitation, or support—the San Francisco Superior Court may assume jurisdiction after residency standards are met. Our attorneys guide clients through the formal legal process of registering foreign judgments, addressing any challenges in enforcement or modifications. We keep you informed and protected while navigating multijurisdictional issues, so your rights are preserved no matter where your original divorce took place.