With almost two decades of experience as a family law attorney, Yvonne Rizzo (Esq) is the best divorce attorney in San Diego. As a former Deputy City Attorney for San Diego County, she has an advanced understanding of local divorce law. Her practice is based in central San Diego and serves clients throughout the county. She and her team provide support with:
- Divorce
- Legal Separation
- Child Custody
- Child Support & Alimony
- Division of Property
- Parentage
- Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
- General Family Law and more
To discuss your case, schedule complementary consultation with our team, or read more about our divorce attorney service here.
Experience You Can Trust - San Diego Divorce Lawyers
When researching the best divorce attorneys in San Diego, you’ll find few individuals with as much experience as Yvonne Rizzo. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, she offers more in-depth guidance than other firms. In fact, less than 1% of California’s attorneys have this specialized certification. From filing petitions to appealing child custody rulings, Yvonne Rizzo has a breadth of knowledge on handling the complex processes involved in family law. Prior to establishing her private family law practice, Ms. Rizzo worked as a Deputy City Attorney in the Domestic Violence Unit for San Diego County. In addition, she worked as a civil litigator in Los Angeles, supporting medical malpractice defense cases. Her licenses include:
- State Bar of California
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
- State Bar of New York
Selecting The Best San Diego Divorce Attorney for Your Case
Factors like where you live, how long you have resided with your spouse, and whether or not you have children can all impact the details of your divorce proceedings. San Diego County adheres to both local and state regulations in all matters of family law. The best divorce attorneys in San Diego have extensive knowledge of local regulations and offer guidance on actions like establishing child support, alimony, and dividing property. Court proceedings are often coordinated via San Diego County officials, while judge rulings may fall under California State Law. The best divorce attorneys in San Diego provide counsel and support throughout this sometimes confusing process.
Understanding the San Diego and California Divorce Process
The best divorce attorneys act as a partner during the divorce process. When initiating a divorce in San Diego County, the first step is to file a petition with the state. Once the initial petition is filed, it must be served to the other spouse. The spouse will have 30 days to respond to the petition. Within the petition, you may choose to include claims to property, custody details, spousal support, and attorney fees. Depending upon the nature of the marriage, the next steps may include disclosing your assets and conducting negotiations with the opposing attorney. To keep this process as efficient as possible, a divorce attorney can handle the division of property and related negotiations. If there are children between the married parties, the divorce process will also include a child custody ruling and the establishment of child support.
San Diego Divorce Attorneys & Child Custody Law
Child custody issues are some of the most complex elements of any divorce. It is crucial to work with a divorce attorney that can help you navigate local laws and process. In San Diego County, child custody cases begin with a legal mediation. A divorce attorney can represent you during this initial mediation. Child custody and visitation is decided by a judge, or through an agreement between the parents. Additional considerations in the case may include military orders, geographical relocation, health issues, and financial considerations. After the original mediation is completed, one or both parties may re-visit the case and appeal for modifications to the agreement. Child custody issues are often complex and often on-going. Learn more about Child Custody or schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to discuss your case.
Child Support, Alimony, and Spousal Support
In some cases, a divorce attorney may be required to help you establish child support, alimony, or spousal support. The best divorce attorneys in San Diego have experience maneuvering the local and state laws pertaining to child support and alimony. Learn more about Child Support policies on our Resources page or discuss your case with our divorce attorneys during your complimentary consultation.
Legal Separation vs. Divorce
Legal separation is an alternative to divorce. In separation, the two parties remain legally married, although they may choose to live separately. The couple will no longer jointly acquire debts and assets. Legal separation may affect tax filings and bars each party from initiating another marriage. Some clients choose separation for financial, religious, or health reasons. A divorce attorney can help you decide if legal separation is the right option for your family. Divorce and separation do require different legal processes in San Diego County, so make sure to consult with your divorce attorney before confirming your decision. Read more about Divorce and Legal Separation here.
Divorce Attorney Fees
According to San Diego Family Law, both parties must have equal access to legal representation. In some cases, this may require one spouse to pay attorney fees of the other spouse. Both parties may also use communal funds to pay attorney fees. The best divorce attorneys in San Diego do offer competitive fee options. We cover the topic of attorney fees on our blog, and can discuss the anticipated costs in detail during your consultation.
Start with a Consultation
Wherever you are in the search for a San Diego based divorce lawyer, we can help. Start by scheduling a complimentary consultation with our team. During the discussion, we will review your current situation, objectives, and the extent of services required. If this is your first time dealing with a family law matter, our team will provide as many resources as you need to feel comfortable with the process. Read more about our team or visit our blog for additional information.
Our Practice
Yvonne Rizzo’s practice is located in downtown San Diego. Services can be provided in English and Spanish. The practice specializes in issues of Family Law, Divorce, and Child Custody.
