Introducing the Schank Family Law Divorce Course — a free, attorney-built guide to navigating divorce in California. Click here to sign up!
![]()
387 reviews
Written/Reviewed by:
Last Updated: August 26, 2026
Reading time: Est 6 minutes
Property division is one of the most well-known steps of the divorce process, possibly because it also tends to be the most time-intensive and conflict-ridden. After all, this is when divorcing couples must go through all of their belongings and decide on a fair way to divide those possessions between themselves. Depending on the length of the marriage and the amount and type of property that you share, this could last for many months. And we understand that property division is not simply figuring out who gets what after the divorce. Many times, the belongings you accumulated during your marriage carry with them the memories from the life you built together. This is why we want the process to be as speedy and stress-free as possible – so that you have time to heal from any negative emotions that may arise.
Property division is rarely cut and dried, but with our decades of combined experience, our team has seen even the most intensely chaotic cases to a satisfactory end. We have helped couples with complex property, such as private businesses or highly diversified investment portfolios. We have aided military members with hefty and intricate pensions. We have assisted individuals with a high net worth who possess large sums of money. And, of course, we have been there for the hardworking homeowners who may not own complicated pieces of property, but who wish to protect the assets they worked hard to acquire. Whatever the situation, we break down the entire process into manageable steps and clarify any confusion so that you can make fully informed, rational decisions.
No matter the level of complexity, property division is one of the areas of divorce that absolutely requires consultation with a skilled attorney. At the very least, you should consult with a lawyer before you begin your property division to create an action plan. However, time and time again we see people lose their hard-earned possessions when those plans go awry. This is why we strive to have some of the most affordable rates in Victorville – so that you can have constant, vigilant representation through the entire process. We have seen even the simplest cases escalate into courtroom battles, many of which could have been prevented had the couple had an attorney with more knowledge of property division tactics and laws within Victorville. Wanting to spare his clients from such disastrous results, Christian Schank and his associates set out to recruit attorneys who not only possessed expert skills and training but who had acquired immense experience working within Victorville courts specifically. Call us today to discuss your case at no cost to you, so that we may pair you with an attorney whose skills fit your needs.
Due to the complexities of property division, it can be difficult to know what to expect. Because California is a “community property state,” anything that was acquired after the date of marriage is considered shared (or community) property and must be divided accordingly. The term “property” includes anything that is worth monetary value. This could be houses, boats, furniture, land, vehicles, or heirlooms, but it could also include pensions, bank accounts, shared businesses, cash, or even debt. Anything that was acquired after the date of marriage is “put into the pile,” so to speak, even if you or your spouse purchased it as an individual. There are exceptions to this, however, but these depend on your specific situation and must be discussed with your attorney. Typically, the property will be divided on a 50/50 basis. Of course, in practical terms, property division is not so clean-cut, since you cannot take a knife and slice your house in half. Thus, 50/50 division means that you and your spouse’s belongings will be divided in the fairest, even way possible. This is good news since it means that a skilled and shrewd attorney has greater latitude to fight for your most-valued possessions by bargaining with assets that are of less value to you. Through tactical innovation and highly developed skills of persuasion, your lawyer will put together a negotiation strategy to protect your hard-earned belongings.
While the judge does have the final say when it comes to how the property will be divided, family law judges rarely make the decisions themselves and will usually sign off on the agreement that the spouses have written up together. This means that the couple must negotiate the property division between themselves, have an attorney draft the official agreement, and present it before the judge for approval. In order to do this, you and your spouse will sit down together with your attorneys and discuss who will keep what or if the certain property will remain shared after the divorce is finalized. While this process can seem daunting, it often allows you to retain more control over the way your property is divided.
However, we understand that tensions from the marriage often underly the negotiations, which is why we will be there to assist you through every session. We will help alleviate and resolve conflicts, layout an action plan to keep you and your spouse on track, be a source of clarity when stress may cloud your judgment, protect your rights and ensure that your voice is heard, and vigilantly fight for your best interests. Many couples are able to peaceably split certain belongings between themselves, but run into trouble when it comes to more valuable pieces of property and must have a third party make the decision for them. Typically, presenting your case before a judge and having them make the decision for you is the very last resort. After all, the judge does not know you and is typically not as sympathetic to your wishes. As such, they could arbitrarily make a decision that will end the arguments but leave both you and your spouse unsatisfied. We don’t want to add this stress to an already stressful period in your life, and we are prepared to exhaust every option to help you. We have quite a few tricks up our sleeve, and our unorthodox strategies have helped couples come to a satisfactory conclusion to even the most vehement and contentious arguments.
If you think that we could help you and would like to receive more information, call our office today at no charge to you and discuss your options with one of our representatives.
Posted on GoogleLeann C
Highly recommend. Amazing and supportive during a challenging divorce. They understand woman’s rights. The team explains the steps being taken. They know how to handle a spouse that is uncooperative.Posted on GoogleRaime G
Mr.Schank did a wonderful job for our case, I can’t thank him enough! The entire team is so helpful, professional and friendly! I highly recommend their services! Thanks again! 🙌🏼Posted on GoogleRobert M
I cannot thank Schank Family Law and my attorney, Vanessa Estrada, enough for everything they did for me and my daughter. After a long and difficult custody battle, we achieved a successful outcome, and I truly believe Vanessa’s dedication, knowledge, and hard work played a major role in that victory. From day one, Vanessa genuinely cared about my case. She took the time to understand every detail, remembered every situation, and always made me feel like my case mattered. Her professionalism, preparation, and knowledge of family law gave me confidence throughout one of the most stressful times of my life. What impressed me most was how hard she fought. She never gave up, stayed focused on what was in my child’s best interest, and stood by me every step of the way. Whenever I had questions or concerns, she was responsive, honest, and always prepared. If you’re looking for an attorney who truly cares about her clients, is extremely knowledgeable, and will fight for you until the very end, I highly recommend Vanessa Estrada and Schank Family Law. Thank you, Vanessa, for helping me secure a better future for my daughter and for being such a strong advocate during this journey. I will always be grateful. ❤️Posted on GoogleAsh M
I had a awesome phone call with Clarisa she settled me made me feel a lot better took the time to hear me out.. extremely happy I made the appointment with her..Posted on GoogleVivian S
I’m so grateful for Shank Family Law. Christian Schank and Derek Austin helped me so much during an extremely stressful time, and I truly felt like I could fully rely on their knowledge and expertise. Brian in the office was also always so kind and lovely to speak with. Their whole team made me feel supported and taken care of, and honestly helped me sleep better at night knowing I was in good hands. I would never go with anyone else.Posted on GoogleCollin w
Shank Family Law was absolutely amazing. Everyone from the attorneys to the staff and secretary was compassionate, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. They provided so much guidance and support throughout the entire process and truly made me feel cared for during a difficult time. I honestly could not imagine choosing anyone else. I’m beyond grateful for their help and highly recommend them.Posted on GoogleCooper C
Helped me so muchPosted on GoogleBeverly A
Great Family Lawyers! They really care about their clients and have great communication. I would recommend!Posted on GoogleLuke H
Working with Christian Schank was one of the best decisions I could have made during a really difficult time. They are truly the best in the state. Incredibly knowledgeable, always responsive, and they went above and beyond to protect my interests. I felt supported and confident every step of the way, and everything was handled with professionalism and care. I could not recommend them more highly.Posted on GoogleRuff F
Great firm, they are legit in family law cases
Speak with an experienced attorney about your family law case.
"*" indicates required fields
Attorney Christian L. Schank founded Schank Family Law in 2003. With eight offices and a Certified Family Law Specialist on staff, the firm handles divorce, custody, support, and property matters in courts across the state.
Contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation. Tell us about your family law matter and learn how our attorneys can help.
"*" indicates required fields