Divorce in Los Angeles is never a straightforward affair. The half-year waiting period, California community property provisions, and custody determinations make the matters harder. The wrong lawyer can lead to delays, extra costs, or missed assets.
This guide evaluates five of the most respected divorce law firms in Los Angeles. This is based on confirmed client reviews, clarity in pricing, experience in court, and areas of specialization. The aim of this updated 2026 guide is to provide you with the insight required to select the advocate who best suits your circumstances, whether you are dealing with a high asset dispute, a contentious custody struggle, or a collaborative mediation.
1. Claery & Hammond, LLP
Pricing/Retainer Fees: Claery & Hammond utilizes an hourly billing system along with an initial retainer fee. The company does not disclose its precise hourly fee. Though clients report retainers of $2,500-$5,000.
Free consultation Availability: The firm offers free phone or online consultations, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Practice areas within divorce: Claery & Hammond deals with community property division, high asset divorce cases, and legal separation. It also handles spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity issues, and restraining orders for domestic violence. They also offer mediation and collaborative divorce. The firm provides assertive litigation whenever necessary.
Client reviews/ratings: Reviews vary widely. Positive feedback highlights compassion and expertise. Negative reviews cite aggressive billing and frequent attorney changes. Another common concern is cases being pawned to junior staff.
Years of experience/credentials: The firm has 50+ years of combined experience. Founding partner Lance Claery (admitted 2001) and partner Eli Hammond focus solely on family law. Claery & Hammond appeared in the Los Angeles Times Family Law Practitioners list (2013, 2015, 2023), and Lance Claery was named a “Southern California Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in 2021.
California divorce law specifics: The firm advises on California’s six-month waiting period. It also highlights residency rules (six months in the state, three in the county) and California’s presumption of a 50/50 split of marital assets and debts.
Meditation vs. litigation approach: The firm offers mediation and collaborative divorce for couples seeking amicable, private settlements, but is also prepared for aggressive litigation and long cause trials when settlement isn’t possible.
Pros
- Free initial consultation
- Los Angeles Times recognition (2013-2023)
- Offers both mediation and litigation tracks
Cons
- Mixed reviews on billing transparency and attorney continuity
- Some clients report being handed off to junior associates
2. Berenji & Associates
Pricing/retainer fees: Berenji & Associates follows a premium retainer plus hourly model. While the firm does not publish a fixed fee schedule, the average retainer for a high net worth divorce in California exceeds $15,000 according to Martindale-Nolo Research.
Free consultation availability: The firm offers free initial consultations, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
Practice areas within divorce: Berenji & Associates specializes exclusively in California family law, including high asset divorce, business valuations, community property disputes, child custody (including complex and long-distance cases), spousal support, and paternity. They also offer divorce mediation.
Client reviews/ratings: The firm holds strong ratings: Avvo 4.7/5, Yelp 4.5/5. Clients praise their knowledge, ethics, and ability to handle “emotional and difficult times” with clarity. Occasional negative reviews mention high costs and the use of junior associates for case work rather than the principal attorney.
Years of experience/credentials: Founding partner Hossein Berenji was admitted to the California Bar in 2001 and has over 25 years of combined firm experience. He was recognized as a Super Lawyer annually from 2020 to 2025. He was also named to the National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 100”.
California divorce law specifics: The firm highlights all state-specific requirements. These are California’s six-month residency and waiting period rule and the 50/50 community property asset division.
Response time/availability: Reviews praise the firm’s responsiveness during business hours. But some note that senior partners often delegate routine communications to staff.
Mediation vs. litigation approach: Berenji & Associates is known for aggressive litigation, but also offers mediation for amicable resolutions.
Pros
- Super Lawyer (2020-2025); Top 100 Trial Lawyer
- Specialized in high asset and complex litigation
- Free initial consultation
Cons
- Premium pricing may be prohibitive for lower asset cases
- Some clients report junior associates handle everyday work
3. The Sands Law Group, APLC
Pricing/retainer fees: The Sands Law Group uses a retainer plus hourly model of $250-$350. They offer competitive rates, adaptable payment options, and unbundled offerings.
Free consultation availability: Free initial case evaluations are available by phone, video, or in person at their downtown Los Angeles office.
Practice areas within divorce: The firm handles contested and uncontested divorce, legal separation, high‑asset property division, and community property disputes. Other practice areas are child custody and child and spousal support. It also handles domestic violence restraining orders and guardianship.
Client reviews/ratings: The firm holds a 4.4‑star rating across 142 Google reviews updated April 2026. Reviews describe it as compassionate and effective in high‑conflict cases. But unfavorable reviews highlight sporadic communication issues.
Years of experience/credentials: Founder Thomas Sands was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. He was named a 2023 Super Lawyer Rising Star and Litigator of the Year. The firm has practiced as Los Angeles divorce lawyers for over a decade.
California divorce law specifics: The firm advises clients on California’s six‑month residency requirement and the mandatory six‑month waiting period from the date of service. It also counsels on community property presumptions. They also guide clients through the Joint Petition option for amicable divorces.
Response time/availability: It’s available weekdays and typically responds within minutes. Though delays may occur during peak times. Services are available in Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and French.
Mediation vs. litigation approach: The firm adapts its strategy to the case. It favors mediation to achieve quick and stress-free solutions. But provides aggressive litigation when necessary.
Pros
- Lower hourly rates compared to many LA competitors
- Flexible payment plans and transparent fee discussions
- Multilingual staff
Cons
- Some clients report occasional communication delays
- Founder Thomas Sands had a State Bar suspension in 2021 (license currently active)
4. Law Offices of Korol & Velen
Pricing/retainer fees: The firm does not publish pricing. But clients report hourly rates of $275 to $400 with a $7,500 retainer.
Free consultation availability: The firm offers initial consultations by phone or online request, but not for free.
Practice areas within divorce: The firm handles contested and uncontested divorce, legal separation, high‑asset property division, and community property disputes. Its services also cover child custody and visitation, fathers’ rights, child support, adult child support, and spousal support. Additional practice areas include domestic violence, family law mediation, modifications, paternity, post‑nuptial agreements, and prenuptial agreements.
Client reviews/ratings: The firm has positive reviews on accessibility. Users mention attorney availability on nights and weekends in case of an emergency. Clients highlight their professionalism and courtroom strength, while older reviews noted cost concerns.
Years of experience/credentials: Korol & Velen have 40+ years of combined experience. Co‑founder Rozanna Velen is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2012. She is ranked among Southern California’s Top 50 Women Attorneys.
California divorce law specifics: The firm navigates all California mandates of six-month residency and waiting period, and community property division. Their board certification demonstrates deep knowledge of state-specific family law.
Response time/availability: The firm has a hands-on support reputation as attorneys handle cases directly. They remain available beyond standard hours for urgent matters.
Mediation vs. litigation approach: Korol & Velen offer mediation for collaborative resolutions. But they are known for an “aggressive and assertive” litigation style if negotiations fail.
Pros
- Board Certified Family Law Specialist (Rozanna Velen)
- Super Lawyer since 2012 and Top 50 Women Attorneys
- Direct attorney handling; no paralegal handoffs
Cons
- Doesn’t offer free consultations
- Limited geographic footprint (primarily Encino/San Fernando Valley)
5. The Reape Rickett Law Firm
Pricing/retainer fees: Reape Rickett employs a traditional hourly model with upfront retainers. Client reports indicate retainers starting at $7,500 for new cases.
Free consultation availability: The firm offers paid initial consultations, bookable online or by phone. Some clients report consultation fees of about $300.
Practice areas within divorce: Reape Rickett handles high net worth divorce, complex property division, child custody, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and mediation.
Client reviews/ratings: Reviews are mixed. Some clients praise life‑changing results, but others cite aggressive billing and communication delays. The firm holds a 3.4 Yelp rating.
Years of experience/credentials: Reape Rickett was established in 1998 with over 50 years of combined experience. It’s led by James Reape, an AV Preeminent-rated attorney practicing since 1983. Multiple attorneys, including Matthew Chung and James Reape, have been named Southern California Super Lawyers or Rising Stars.
California divorce law specifics: The firm advises on California’s community property rules and residency/waiting periods. They also guide clients on the new Joint Petition for amicable divorces (effective 2026). They have significant experience in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Clarita courts.
Response Time/Availability: Reape Rickett uses a team-based method for coverage. A paralegal and two attorneys handle a case.
Mediation vs. litigation approach: It offers mediation and alternative dispute resolution for cooperative cases, but it is known for aggressive litigation in high‑conflict trials.
Pros
- AV Preeminent rated; Super Lawyers recognition
- Team-based coverage (two attorneys + one paralegal per case)
- 50+ years combined experience
Cons
- Higher reported retainer
- Mixed reviews on billing transparency and communication
Comparison Table of Top Los Angeles Divorce Law Firms
| Entity Name | Pricing/ Retainer | Key Feature | Best For |
| Claery & Hammond | $2.5k to $5k retainer | 50+ years of experience | Free consults; flexible tracks |
| Berenji & Associates | $15k+ retainer | High net worth focus | Complex, high-asset litigation |
| The Sands Law Group | $250 to $350/hr | Multilingual support | Budget-conscious; payment plans |
| Korol & Velen | $7.5k retainer | No paralegal handoffs | Direct, specialist representation |
| Reape Rickett | $7.5k+ retainer | Three-person case teams | Extensive firm-wide coverage |
“Get any contract in writing, avoid paying in cash, and retain all documents and correspondence with attorneys, including emails and text messages.” -The State Bar of California.
Endnote
The problem: Selecting a divorce attorney in Los Angeles can be daunting. Amidst hundreds of companies asserting their expertise, many individuals must make choices in a highly stressful period. Intense emotions, tight deadlines, and enduring financial and parenting implications complicate the process of finding the right skilled lawyer. Finding a lawyer who communicates well and can guide you through a California divorce becomes even harder.
Key takeaways
A firm’s ability to support you during your divorce comes down to three essentials:
- Billing: Pricing isn’t often published. The consultation provides your greatest opportunity to understand actual costs and expectations. Payment plans or other fee structures can assist with tight budgets.
- Practice focus: Certain firms concentrate solely on family law and offer deeper expertise. Others provide a wider range of services but offer other benefits.
- Attorney access: Firms vary in staffing. Some lawyers handle cases personally, while others delegate to junior staff. Knowing who will support you is important.
- Trial credibility: A lawyer’s willingness to litigate shapes the case outcome. Firms with trial experience often secure better settlements.
Next steps
Start with the comparison table and then consult two to three firms. Confirm who handles your case, update frequency, and exact fees. Note that if you speak directly with an attorney, this reflects future communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are consultations with Los Angeles divorce lawyers usually free?
Consultation fees vary: high-end specialists often charge $300 to $500, while many mid-market and larger firms offer free 30-minute evaluations.
2. How long does a divorce take in California?
California requires a six-month waiting time following service. Disputed cases usually require 12 to 18 months, but uncontested ones frequently conclude in six to nine months.
3. How does community property work if I owned my home before marriage?
In California, a home owned before marriage is generally separate property. However, if marital funds were used for the mortgage or improvements, the community may claim a share of the increased value.
