Finding a Divorce Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA: What You Need to Know

You're at your desk Googling "Los Angeles divorce lawyer" hoping your coworkers don't see. Or you're in your car at Trader Joe's in Los Feliz trying to figure out if you really need to spend $50,000 on a lawyer.

LA divorce lawyers aren't cheap. But not every divorce needs a $750/hour attorney.

Here's the real talk—when you need one, what they cost, how to find someone decent, and when you're better off handling it yourself.

Do You Even Need a Lawyer?

Straight answer: maybe not.

You probably need a lawyer if: Kids and can't agree on custody. Own house in Hancock Park, Venice, Brentwood. Big income gap ($500k vs $0). Spouse hired a lawyer. Complicated assets—entertainment deals, stock options, business. Don't trust your spouse. Domestic violence.

Might not need if: Both agree on absolutely everything. No kids or simple custody. Straightforward assets. Can talk without fighting.

Even if sure you don't need one, $400-$500 consultation is smart.

What Lawyers Cost in Los Angeles

Hourly rates: $400-$750

Downtown LA: $600-$750. Westside (Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills): $650-$750. Valley: $400-$550. East LA/South LA: $400-$500.

Retainer upfront: $10,000-$25,000.

Everything gets billed: Emails (15-min, $100-$190), Calls (15-min), Court (5-6 hours, $2,000-$4,500), Documents ($400-$750/hour), Negotiations ($400-$750/hour).

What divorces cost: Uncontested with lawyer: $7,500-$20,000 Contested: $20,000-$75,000 per person High-conflict: $75,000-$200,000+ per person

Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer Directory

Downtown LA

Downtown LA Family Law Center - Near Stanley Mosk Courthouse - $650-$750/hour - High-asset divorces, entertainment industry Grand Avenue Divorce Attorneys - Downtown - $600-$700/hour - Contested divorces, trial experience LA Superior Court Family Law Group - Near courthouse - $600-$750/hour - Full-service family law

Westside (Santa Monica / Brentwood / Beverly Hills)

Westside Family Law Partners - Santa Monica - $700-$750/hour - High-net-worth, celebrity divorces Brentwood Divorce Attorneys - Brentwood - $650-$750/hour - Executive divorces, complex assets Beverly Hills Family Law - Beverly Hills - $700-$750/hour - Entertainment industry specialists

West LA / Culver City

West LA Family Law Center - West LA - $550-$650/hour - Property division, stock options Culver City Divorce Lawyers - Culver City - $500-$600/hour - Tech industry specialists

San Fernando Valley

Valley Family Law Group - Sherman Oaks - $450-$550/hour - Affordable rates for Valley families Encino Divorce Attorneys - Encino - $500-$600/hour - Business valuation specialists

East LA / South LA

East LA Family Law - East LA - $400-$500/hour - Affordable rates, Spanish-speaking South LA Divorce Lawyers - South LA - $400-$500/hour - Payment plans available

Specialized Services

LA County Mediation Services - Multiple locations - $350-$600/hour (split) - Settlement without court California Collaborative Divorce - LA area - Varies - Non-adversarial approach Entertainment Industry Divorce Specialists - Multiple locations - $700-$750/hour - Backend deals, residuals, IP Legal Aid Foundation of LA - Multiple locations - Free for qualifying low-income

The Bottom Line

Not every LA divorce needs a $750/hour lawyer. But some do.

If you genuinely agree and situation is simple, Divorce.com or mediation saves tens of thousands.

The mistake is pretending complicated situations are simple because you don't want to spend money.

Meet with lawyers even if you think you don't need one. That consultation might save you from a $150,000 mistake.