Areas We Serve
Areas We Serve
Minella Law Group, APC provides clients with experienced guidance in family law and estate planning matters, including divorce, child support, child welfare concerns, restraining orders, wills, and trusts. Founded in 2014, our lawyers understand that every client's circumstances are different, and we take the time to help people understand their options and the decisions ahead.
We routinely work with clients in:
- Greater San Diego
- Orange County
- Escondido
- And more!
Call (619) 821-2313 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
Built To Move Your Case Forward
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We Take New or Existing CasesSupport is available whether you’re beginning a new matter or need experienced guidance with a case already underway.
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Swift ResultsWe work efficiently and strategically to move your matter forward while keeping your goals at the forefront.
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Strategic PlanningWe take a thoughtful, proactive approach to every case, developing personalized strategies designed to protect what matters most.
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Experienced TeamOur knowledgeable and compassionate all-women team brings years of experience to help you navigate complex legal matters with confidence and care.
Get Reliable and Compassionate Guidance Today
Legal questions involving your family or future can feel overwhelming, particularly when you are unsure where to begin. Our team is here to discuss your legal challenges, explain your available options, and help you move forward with greater clarity. We offer free consultations and can also meet with clients virtually when an in-person meeting is not the best fit.
Call Minella Law Group, APC at (619) 821-2313 today. We have a bilingual team that serves both English and Spanish-speaking clients.
Our Clients Say It Best
Hear From the Individuals and Families We Serve.
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“My previous firm presented higher and higher bills with no results whatsoever. My divorce case went on and on for almost 5 years. Kathy Minella and her team jumped in, took charge, and brought it to a fair and quick conclusion.”- Robert B.
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“Kathy and her team were wonderful to work with. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and truly cared about my situation. Kathy made a difficult process much easier by guiding me clearly and keeping me informed every step of the way.”- Samantha P.
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“We had an amazing experience working with Kathy, Cassidy, and the rest of the team at Minella Law Group on our adoption. The responsiveness and constant updates were above and beyond what I was expecting from a big, busy attorney group.”- John S.
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“I am extremely happy with my experience working with Minella Law Group during a very difficult year going through a divorce. They were incredible advocates for me every step of the way and helped me to fully understand what my options were.”- Jenna D.
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“I often refer family and friends who are seeking legal counsel in family law. Kathy has a wealth of experience practicing in San Diego and is the gold standard in family law. From start to finish, the experience was smooth and incredibly reassuring.”- Adam E.
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“They made me feel comfortable. They work as a team with more than one perspective. When I took in their feedback and decided not to move further, there was zero pressure and they promptly started the process of refunding any unused retainer.”- Tanya M.
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“Minella Law Group provided me with excellent representation for a restraining order I was seeking for my protection. It would have been a very difficult and challenging situation to handle on my own. I am very thankful for the help and support!”- Mason M.
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“I am so impressed by the service and speed of the Minella Law Group! They were dedicated to assisting me even without a paid consultation. There was a sense of care, empathy, and curiosity from the entire team.”- Morgan E.
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“Minella Law Group helped me with my divorce. They definitely put my mind at ease and handled all the hard work for me. They communicate very well and are on top of getting things done. I definitely recommend!”- Christina P.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I have to go to court to get divorced?No, you do not have to go to court to get divorced. Many people never step foot inside the courthouse during their divorce. It is very common to resolve all issues amicably and by way of agreement. Also, if you have an attorney, your attorney will appear at all hearings on your behalf, which is part of the reason to hire an attorney.
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How to file for divorce in San Diego?Filing for divorce in San Diego simply takes preparing the petition for dissolution, stating what the issues to resolve are. If you have children, you will also file a declaration that San Diego has jurisdiction by providing where they lived for the last 5 years. There is also a filing fee of $435 that must be paid at the time of filing. After filing, you are required to do your financial disclosures and exchange them with the other party before your case will progress.
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Why do I need a divorce attorney?A divorce attorney is necessary when you are feeling overwhelmed by the process or when you do not know what your rights are. Many people going through a divorce are also working full time or caring for their children, it is hard to find the time to complete all the required paperwork. Also, you could have a spouse that is trying to minimize the amount of assets there are to divide and you may not know what questions to ask or what you are entitled to. It is always best practice to have a divorce attorney you can consult during the process.
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Do all family lawyers take on divorce cases?Not all family lawyers take on divorce cases. You want to find an attorney who specializes in family law, also known as a Certified Family Law Specialist. These attorneys have gone through extra steps to have the State Bar of California certify them as experts in the area of family law. Divorce is one area of family law. You want to make sure you work with an attorney who is knowledgeable in this area and can guide you properly.
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Can I move out of the state during a divorce?A party is free to leave the state during the pendency of a dissolution, but you need to have a way to participate once you are gone. You can either hire an attorney or you can appear by phone for any hearings. While a party can move out of the state during a divorce, any children who are part of the dissolution cannot be removed. Once a divorce has been filed and served, ATRO’s are in effect. ATRO’s stand for Automatic Temporary Restraining Order. There are several limitations on the parties, one of which is the ability to take children from the state of California. If a party wants to move the children, you must either have an agreement between the parties or a court order allowing the children to leave.
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Are there different types of divorce?There are different types of divorce. There is summary dissolution and dissolution. In a summary dissolution, the parties have been married for less than 5 years, there are no children or property, there is less than $5,000 in debt, less than $25,000 in assets, and there is no spousal support. In a summary dissolution, you must have a full agreement with your spouse as the agreement is filed with the petition. If you do not qualify for a summary dissolution, you would file a dissolution. You can also have an uncontested dissolution where there are no disagreements between the parties, and a contested dissolution where there are disagreements that need to be resolved.
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How long does it take to get a divorce?A divorce will take at least 6 months to finalize, as that is the cooling-off period the court requires. If the parties have completed everything that is required and have reached a full agreement that is signed and ready to file, you could be done as early as 6 months from the date of service. However, that is not common. Generally, it takes about a year to a year and a half to finalize a divorce if there are children and support issues to resolve. The more the parties work together to resolve their disputes, the quicker their case can be finalized.
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Do my spouse and I need separate attorneys?Yes, you and your spouse need separate divorce attorneys. It would be a conflict of interest for one attorney to represent both parties who have adverse interests. Each person should retain their own attorney to advise them during the divorce.
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What is an average retainer fee for divorce?An average retainer for a divorce attorney is $5,000. This amount goes into your client trust account and is used to pay your filing fee, service fee, and to get your paperwork started and filed with the court.
