Divorce cases in Los Angeles County are handled by the Los Angeles Superior Court, with the main family law courthouse located at:

Stanley Mosk Courthouse – 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 

A special local rule allows you to file for divorce either downtown or at a district courthouse closer to where you live. Therefore, when possible, we encourage clients to file their case quickly to determine the most suitable venue for their case rather than having the other side file first and having their choice of venue.

Los Angeles County has family law courthouses in Santa Monica, Torrance, Norwalk, Van Nuys, Pasadena, and Pomona and your case may be assigned to one of these locations based on residency.

Our divorce attorneys regularly appear in both the downtown and district courthouses so we understand how different judges handle cases. We use that insight to build a carefully crafted strategy tailored to each client’s case.

Though venue shopping is typically not allowed, exceptions exist for international child custody cases, disputes under the Hague Convention, and divorces involving complex financial matters. In these cases, where you file can significantly impact the outcome.

Los Angeles County courts are among the most demanding in California. Judges know the law inside and out, and they expect everyone appearing before them to do the same. The legal process is highly procedural, and small mistakes can have serious consequences.

Los Angeles family courts follow strict legal procedures, and even strong cases can be affected by procedural missteps. Failing to follow court rules or not presenting key facts correctly may delay proceedings or impact the final judgment. A party might not get their child support, spousal support, or custody orders, not because they aren’t entitled to it, but because they didn’t present their case appropriately in front of an LA County judge.

We understand the strict rules and expectations of Los Angeles courts and, as experienced family lawyers in Los Angeles, CA, we prepare every case with the level of detail judges require. Our team is experienced in structuring filings, meeting deadlines, and presenting arguments to advocate for our clients’ rights and interests.

Divorce in LA County starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Los Angeles Superior Court. The other spouse must be properly served, and both parties must exchange financial disclosures to determine property division, spousal support, and child support.

If both sides agree on all terms, the divorce can proceed as uncontested. If not, court hearings or mediation may be required. 

Each courthouse may have different procedures, and strict filing rules apply. For a step-by-step guide, read How to File for Divorce in California.

California law requires a minimum six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. This timeline starts once the petition is served, not when it is filed.

Even in uncontested cases where both spouses agree on everything, the court cannot finalize the divorce before the six months have passed.

For contested cases involving property disputes, child custody, or spousal support, the process often takes much longer. Working with an experienced Los Angeles divorce attorney can help minimize potential delays.

Property and financial disputes in Los Angeles County are critical issues in nearly every divorce.

Our Los Angeles divorce lawyers work early in the process to gather the necessary documentation to support financial claims and collaborate with appraisers, forensic accountants, and financial experts, as needed, to protect our clients’ rights to their income and assets.

Many divorces in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica involve high-value real estate. In these cases, swift action is often important when seeking court orders to sell property, disclose financial records, or prevent one spouse from selling assets without consent.

We prioritize resolving financial disputes through settlement conferences as a potential way to reduce litigation costs. However, when a fair resolution is not possible, we develop a custom legal strategy to present strong financial claims in Los Angeles courts to advocate for you.

Child custody cases in Los Angeles are decided based on multiple factors, not just what parents present in court. Judges rely on reports from custody evaluators, psychologists, teachers, doctors, and minor’s attorneys, along with attorney arguments and witness testimony. A minor’s attorney is appointed in some cases to represent the child’s best interests independently.

A well-planned legal strategy can help manage uncertainties throughout the process. Provinziano child custody lawyers build cases using expert witnesses and qualified evidence to present a clear, compelling argument to the court. 

We have helped clients obtain move-away orders, increased parenting time, supervised visitation orders, and protections against abusive parents.

Every custody case is unique. From the moment we take on a case, we create detailed legal strategies focused on advocating for your child’s best interests.