Contra Costa County Divorce Attorney
Warren Major LLP — Strategic Divorce Representation That Protects What Matters
Divorce changes everything.
Your finances. Your parenting time. Your retirement. Your home. Your future.
If you are facing divorce in Contra Costa County, you need more than paperwork processing. You need strategy. You need clarity. You need leverage.
Warren Major LLP delivers sophisticated, boutique divorce representation designed for clients who want thoughtful planning, decisive action, and durable results.
We do not run a volume practice. We take a limited number of divorce cases so we can build each one with precision.
Divorce in Contra Costa County: What You Need to Know
California is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. You must show irreconcilable differences.
California requires a six-month waiting period from the date your spouse is served before the court can finalize your divorce. That does not mean your case must drag on. It means you must use those months strategically.
Divorce involves four core pillars:
- Property division
- Spousal support
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support
Community Property: Divide Assets Correctly the First Time
- Real estate
- Investment accounts
- Retirement plans and pensions
- Business ownership interests
- Stock options and RSUs
- Bank accounts
- Debts incurred during marriage
Separate property includes assets acquired before marriage, inheritances, and certain gifts.
High-asset divorce in Contra Costa County often involves:
- Tech equity compensation
- Professional practices
- Real estate portfolios
- Complex retirement structures
Spousal Support in California Divorce
Courts analyze spousal support under California Family Code Section 4320. Judges evaluate:
- Each spouse’s earning capacity
- Marital standard of living
- Length of marriage
- Contributions to career development
- Age and health
- Ability to pay
Temporary support may follow guideline formulas. Long-term support does not. Courts weigh multiple statutory factors and exercise discretion.
If you earn significantly more than your spouse, support exposure must be modeled accurately. If you stepped back from a career to raise children, support strategy must protect your transition and earning capacity rebuilding.
We build financial projections before negotiating. Numbers first. Emotions second.
Child Custody in Contra Costa County
- Health and safety
- Stability and continuity
- Emotional bonds
- Each parent’s involvement
- History of caregiving
- Any abuse or substance concerns
Courts encourage frequent and continuing contact with both parents when safe. They do not automatically favor one parent over the other.
Custody includes:
- Legal custody (decision-making authority)
- Physical custody (where the child lives)
Parents must participate in custody mediation before litigating contested custody issues.
Strong parenting plans reduce conflict. Vague agreements create future litigation.
We craft custody strategies that emphasize stability, realistic schedules, and enforceable detail.
Why Mediation Often Works — and When It Doesn’t
- Encourages cooperative resolution
- Reduces adversarial conflict
- Saves time and litigation costs
- Produces customized agreements
Research on family dispute resolution shows that negotiated settlements often lead to higher compliance and lower long-term conflict because both parties helped shape the outcome.
Mediation works best when both parties engage in good faith.
When one spouse hides assets, refuses disclosure, or uses delay tactics, litigation may become necessary.
We prepare every case as if trial could occur. Preparation creates leverage — even in mediation.
High-Asset Divorce in Contra Costa County
- Business valuation expertise
- Forensic accounting when necessary
- Analysis of stock options and deferred compensation
- Division of pensions and retirement accounts through qualified orders
- Careful tax modeling
A poorly structured property division can trigger unexpected capital gains, liquidity problems, or retirement penalties.
We analyze divorce through a financial planning lens, not just a legal lens.
Divorce Strategy: What Sets Warren Major LLP Apart
Most divorce websites recycle the same language. We do not.
We focus on strategy.
Early Risk Assessment
We identify your exposure, leverage points, and vulnerabilities immediately.
Financial Clarity
We demand organized disclosures and accurate valuations before settlement talks.
Controlled Negotiation
We sequence issues strategically — resolving simpler matters first, then tackling complex financial or custody disputes.
Litigation Readiness
If trial becomes necessary, we build a clear evidentiary record that aligns with statutory standards.
Boutique Focus
We limit case volume so every client receives direct attorney involvement. No assembly-line divorce processing.
The Divorce Process in Contra Costa County
- Petition Filed
- Service of Process
- Financial Disclosures
- Temporary Orders (if needed)
- Mediation or Settlement Negotiation
- Trial (if no settlement)
- Entry of Judgment
Common Divorce Mistakes to Avoid
- Agreeing to property division without full disclosure
- Ignoring tax consequences
- Accepting vague custody schedules
- Overlooking retirement account division procedures
- Reacting emotionally instead of strategically
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my divorce take?
Do most cases go to trial?
No. Most divorce cases settle through negotiation or mediation. Trial becomes necessary when parties cannot agree.
Can support change later?
Does California split everything 50/50?
Divorce Is a Legal Event. Strategy Makes It a Turning Point.
Divorce can feel destabilizing. It can also become a structured transition into a stronger financial and parenting future.
The difference lies in planning.
If you are searching for a Contra Costa County divorce attorney who combines financial precision, custody strategy, and disciplined negotiation, Warren Major LLP provides boutique representation tailored to sophisticated cases.
What Our Clients Say
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
- Divorce
- High asset divorce
- Child custody and visitation
- Spousal support
- Property division
- Divorce mediation
- Post-judgment modification
