Divorce Doesn’t Have to Mean Losing What Matters Most

Ending a marriage is one of the hardest decisions you’ll face. I help clients in San Diego navigate it with honesty, clarity, and a strategy built around their situation — not a generic playbook.

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If You’re Dealing With a Divorce, You Already Know How Hard This Is

Most people come to me already exhausted. They’ve been trying to figure this out on their own — and it’s not working.

You’re not sure what you’re entitled to — or what you might lose

The other side has an attorney and you feel like you’re already behind

You want this handled fairly, quickly, and without turning your life into a courtroom drama

You’re not overreacting. This is complicated. And you deserve someone who will tell you the truth about what’s possible.

What’s at Stake in Your Divorce

The decisions made during your divorce — about your assets, your children, and your support obligations — can affect your life for years. Getting the right guidance matters.

With Legal Guidance

Without Legal Guidance

You Need Someone Who Will Tell You the Truth — Not What You Want to Hear

I understand how disorienting this process can feel. The rules aren’t always clear, the stakes are real, and it’s easy to make decisions under pressure that you’ll regret. My job is to make sure that doesn’t happen.

I’ve been practicing family law in San Diego since 2012. I’ve handled everything from simple uncontested divorces to complex, high-asset contested cases. I’ve taught family law at California Western School of Law and serve as a County Hearing Officer — which means I understand how decisions get made on both sides of the courtroom.

Here’s How Your Divorce Case Moves Forward

No surprises. No disappearing act. Just steady, honest representation from start to finish.

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Ready to Talk Through Your Divorce Case?

I’ll give you straight answers about what to expect — and help you figure out the right next step.

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What to Know About Divorce in California

California is a no-fault divorce state — which means you don’t need to prove wrongdoing to file. Either spouse can initiate the process, and the court doesn’t assign blame when dividing assets or determining support. All marital property (acquired during the marriage) is divided equally under California’s community property rules — though there are exceptions, and what counts as “marital property” isn’t always clear-cut. Separate property (owned before the marriage, after separation, or received as a gift/inheritance) is generally not subject to division. Divorce proceedings involve several key issues: property and debt division, spousal support (alimony), attorney fees, and — if children are involved — custody, visitation, and child support. Not every case requires court intervention. Many divorces are resolved through negotiation or mediation, especially when both parties are willing to cooperate. California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period from the date of case opening before a divorce judgment can be entered.

Quick Facts

COMMON SITUATIONS

How I Approach Divorce Cases

What Clients Say About Their Divorce Cases

Divorce

My children’s father has taken me to court multiple times over the years. Ben has been my attorney for the past 6 or 7 years and I keep coming back to him because he always goes above and beyond my expectations. I have referred friends, family, and neighbors to him because I trust him.

Karina

Divorce

Ben represented my best friend in his divorce case and he recommended him to me. I contacted Ben as soon as I was served with divorce papers and I met with him the next day. He guided me through the process and helped me keep my expectations realistic. Ben suggested a four-way settlement conference with my wife and her attorney to try to negotiate a settlement. We ended up settling the case after 2 settlement meetings. I am thankful Ben was able to help me because this could have been an expensive process if we went to court for our divorce.

Fernando

Divorce

I am forever thankful that a friend recommended Ben to me. Ben really took the time t listen to my side of the story. Ben went above and beyond. My ex was making really serious false allegations about my fitness as a father. Ben did not wait to get a mediator’s parenting plan recommendation instead he picked up the phone and set up appointments to talk in person with my son’s teachers. I was quite impressed that he was so hands on and really did everything he could to present the truth on the day we had our court hearing. Ben was able to show to the judge that my ex was lying because she did not want to deal with co-parenting. If you need an attorney that will listen and will play investigator and will do whatever it takes to show that you are a fit parent, you should definitely give Ben a call.

Eric

Divorce

My divorce case had been going on for almost a year when I contacted Mr. Aguilar. At that point my wife had requested a restraining order against me that included our 2 sons. I felt desperate because I knew I could lose my job and professional license if the restraining order was granted. Mr. Aguilar got the restraining order dismissed and also requested changes in the custody and visitation orders because it was clear that my ex wife had been lying during the entire process. Now, I get to see my children regularly, unsupervised and we have moved on with our lives.

Richard

Divorce

My divorce, custody and visitation case started in 2012. I spent over $80,000 in attorney fees prior to retaining Ben. Once I retained Ben, I told him what I wanted to accomplish. He made no promises, but he started working on my case as soon as I left his office. Ben was able to finalize my case in 3 months. I wish I had come across Ben back in 2012 when I filed for divorce. I would have saved money and time.

Lori

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

Serving Clients Throughout Southern California

Cases are filed in the superior court of the county where the parties reside. Contact us to confirm jurisdiction for your situation.

Related Practice Areas

Ready to Talk About Your Divorce Case?

I’ll give you an honest assessment of your situation, your options, and what a realistic path forward looks like. No pressure, no promises — just straight answers.

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This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results depend on the specific facts of each case.

Bilingual family law support for people navigating divorce, custody, and protection orders in San Diego.

1420 Kettner Blvd., Ste. 300
San Diego, CA 92101
619-752-0125

[email protected]

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Serving the following Southern California counties: San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino.