Schedule a consultation with an experienced Mountain View divorce lawyer trusted by clients since 2003.
If you are facing a divorce in Mountain View, CA, the outcome will affect your finances, your property, and your family well beyond the date the judgment is entered. Our Mountain View, CA divorce lawyer at Schank Family Law has handled California divorce cases for more than two decades, representing both petitioners and respondents across a wide range of circumstances. Contact us to request a free case evaluation.
Divorce Lawyer Mountain View, CA
Beyond ending the marriage, the legal process of divorce addresses every financial and parenting issue tied to it: how community property and debt are divided, whether either spouse owes the other support and in what amount, how custody and parenting time are structured, and what happens to retirement accounts, business interests, and real estate. None of these issues have default outcomes that work for everyone, and getting them right requires understanding how California law applies to your specific facts.
Mountain View is in Santa Clara County, and divorce cases filed by Mountain View residents are handled through the Family Justice Center Courthouse in San Jose. California requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months and in Santa Clara County for three months before a divorce petition can be filed here.
Types of Divorce Cases We Handle in Mountain View
Schank Family Law handles divorce-related matters for clients throughout Mountain View and Santa Clara County. The types of cases we handle most frequently include the following:
- Contested divorce. When spouses disagree on property, support, or custody, those issues go before a judge. We prepare every contested case thoroughly, and that preparation tends to produce better settlements before it gets to a hearing.
- Uncontested divorce. When both parties agree on all issues, the process is faster. Proper documentation still matters. Courts reject filings for errors that delay finalization even when the parties are in agreement.
- High-asset divorce. Mountain View’s technology industry means many divorce cases involve stock compensation, RSUs, deferred equity, and business interests that require careful valuation. We have represented seven-figure earners and clients with complex equity structures in high-asset proceedings.
- Property division. California’s community property rules divide most assets and debts acquired during the marriage equally. What counts as community versus separate property is frequently disputed, particularly when one spouse held stock before the marriage or received equity grants over a long career. Understanding who gets the house is one of the most contested questions we see.
- Alimony. Support disputes arise in marriages of all lengths. We handle temporary support during the pending case, permanent support at judgment, and modifications when circumstances change materially after an order is entered.
- Divorce involving children. Custody and child support are resolved as part of the divorce. The arrangements established during the case often become the long-term foundation, which is why getting them right from the beginning matters more than most people expect.
- Legal separation. Some couples resolve all financial and parenting issues without formally ending the marriage. Legal separation suits those with religious objections to divorce, those who need to preserve spousal health insurance, or those who have not yet met California’s residency requirements to file for divorce.
- High-conflict divorce. When one party is uncooperative or uses litigation as a tactic, the case requires a different approach. We have handled difficult proceedings and know how to move a case forward when the other side is not acting in good faith.
Why Choose Schank Family Law for Divorce in Mountain View, CA?
California Divorce Experience Backed by Verified Results
Christian Schank founded Schank Family Law and has been a member of the California State Bar since June 2003. He earned his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law. His practice has focused on California family law since his admission to the bar.
At Schank Family Law, our family lawyer in Mountain View, CA has handled cases for professional athletes, business owners with seven-figure revenues, and clients with international assets. Results have included securing a temporary spousal support award exceeding $60,000 per month and successfully negotiating custody, visitation, and child support in a case involving players from both the MLB and NFL. The firm holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and has been recognized through the Quality Business Awards among the top 1% of American businesses in its category with a quality score above 95%.
There is no free attorney consultation, but a free case evaluation is available through a non-attorney intake specialist before any fees are incurred. All cases are billed hourly with no flat fees or contingency arrangements.
Understanding Divorce Cases
Grounds for Divorce and Property Division in California
California is a no-fault divorce state. Either spouse can file on the grounds of irreconcilable differences without showing fault, and courts do not weigh misconduct when dividing property or determining support. A few foundational concepts apply to every California divorce:
- Community property. Assets and debts acquired during the marriage generally belong equally to both spouses, regardless of whose name is on the account or title. What each spouse owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is generally separate property.
- Stock and equity compensation. In technology-industry divorces, determining whether stock options, RSUs, or other equity grants are community or separate property requires analyzing when the grant vested relative to the date of marriage and date of separation. These disputes are common and turn on documentation.
- Spousal support factors. Permanent support is determined by weighing fourteen statutory factors, not a formula. Marriage length, earning capacity, the marital standard of living, and the supported spouse’s path to self-sufficiency all factor in.
- Six-month waiting period. California law requires at least six months to pass from the date the respondent is served before a divorce can be finalized, regardless of how quickly both parties agree.
What Are Important Aspects of a Divorce Case?
The early stages of a case shape the final outcome more than most clients expect. Temporary orders on custody and support, established while the divorce is still pending, set expectations that carry through to judgment. Courts tend to treat existing arrangements as a working baseline rather than a placeholder, so getting temporary orders right from the start matters.
Financial disclosure is mandatory and consequential. Both parties must serve a Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure listing all income, assets, debts, and expenses. Preparing financially before filing means arriving with an organized picture of the marital estate rather than reconstructing it under pressure during discovery. In high-income cases, the scope and accuracy of that disclosure often determines how smoothly the case moves.
Contested cases benefit from understanding the divorce process early, before key decisions are made. How parties conduct themselves after separation also matters. Courts observe credibility throughout the proceedings, and a spouse who makes unilateral financial decisions, hides assets, or engages in bad-faith tactics creates a record that works against them. Social media activity and electronic communications are regularly introduced as evidence, and what gets posted or sent during a pending case can affect custody credibility, support arguments, and settlement leverage.
What Is the Divorce Case Timeline?
The six-month minimum is the floor, not the average. Contested matters in Santa Clara County can take considerably longer depending on what the parties disagree on. Most cases move through the following stages:
- Filing and service. The petitioner files and serves the respondent. The respondent has 30 days to file a Response. The six-month clock starts from the date of service.
- Temporary orders. Either party can request interim orders for custody, support, or use of assets while the case is pending.
- Financial disclosure. Both parties serve Preliminary Declarations of Disclosure within statutory deadlines. These filings are mandatory and form the factual record for all property and support arguments.
- Negotiation or mediation. Most cases settle before trial once both sides understand the full financial picture and have realistic expectations about what a court would order.
- Final judgment. The court resolves all remaining issues. The divorce cannot be finalized until six months have passed from the date of service.
What Should You Bring to Your Divorce Consultation?
Bringing organized documentation makes the consultation more specific and useful. Gather the following before your appointment:
- Tax returns for the past two to three years for both spouses, if available
- Recent pay stubs and documentation of any equity compensation, including vesting schedules
- A list of all assets and debts, including real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, and any business interests
- Any existing court orders related to custody, support, or restraining orders
We will review what you bring and give you a direct, realistic assessment of how California law applies to your situation. DIY divorce dangers in California are real, and understanding them before you file matters.
What Are Important California Legal Resources for Divorce Cases?
California divorce law is governed by the California Family Code. The following resources can help Mountain View residents locate applicable law and court procedures:
- The Santa Clara family division handles all family law matters for Mountain View residents, including divorce, custody, and support proceedings.
- The Family Justice Center Courthouse in San Jose is the primary filing location for Santa Clara County family law cases.
- The Santa Clara family self-help page provides procedural guidance, forms, and instructions for divorce and other family law filings in Santa Clara County.
- The full California Family Code is searchable through the California Legislative Information website.
Reach Out to Schank Family Law to Schedule a Consultation
Divorce in California involves decisions about property, support, and children that carry lasting consequences. Schank Family Law handles divorce cases throughout Mountain View, CA, from uncontested filings to complex high-asset proceedings. We offer a free case evaluation so you understand your position before committing to a path forward. Contact us to get started.
