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Family Law Attorney in Los Angeles​

Family law issues are some of the most personal legal matters a person can face. Whether you are filing for divorce, working through a custody dispute, or trying to protect long-term assets, the decisions you make now will shape your finances, your parenting time, and your peace of mind for years.

Duncan Family Law represents clients across Los Angeles County in every major area of California family law, with a focused, court-ready approach.

Led by California family law attorney Nicole Duncan, our Los Angeles practice handles both straightforward dissolutions and high-conflict, high-asset cases. Clients work directly with an attorney who knows local family court procedures and who treats each case with the strategic attention it deserves.

Looking for a Family Lawyer?

We represent clients from the firm’s Los Angeles office on West 3rd Street and a second location in Beverly Hills on Camden Drive. Cases are handled in the Los Angeles County Superior Court family law divisions appropriate to each matter, including the Stanley Mosk Courthouse and regional courthouses across the county.

Throughout the matter, our goal is to give you clarity about your options, momentum toward a workable resolution, and confidence in the lawyer representing you.

If you are facing a family law matter in Los Angeles and want a clear-eyed evaluation of your options, attorney Nicole Duncan offers a confidential conversation about your case. Call Duncan Family Law at (855) 369-9993 for a free consultation.

Family Law Case Consultation in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Family Law: What the Practice Covers

Family law in California is governed by the California Family Code and administered through county superior courts. In Los Angeles, that means the Los Angeles County Superior Court family law divisions, including the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown and regional courthouses serving Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and surrounding communities.

Duncan Family Law represents clients throughout these venues in all of the following areas:

Los Angeles County Family Law by the Numbers

Los Angeles County is the largest single jurisdiction for family law cases in the United States. A few figures that frame the landscape:

  • Los Angeles County is home to roughly 10 million residents, more than 38 states.
  • The Los Angeles Superior Court handles approximately 50,000 to 60,000 family law filings each year across its family law divisions.
  • California reports a divorce rate of roughly 9 percent of ever-married adults in any given five-year window, with rates in urban Southern California consistent with that figure.
  • Median single-family home prices across Los Angeles County and the Westside frequently exceed seven figures, making property division a central issue in a large share of local divorces.
  • Self-represented (in pro per) parties appear in a meaningful share of family law cases, which makes the experience of opposing counsel and judges particularly relevant when negotiating outcomes.

These numbers underscore something we see every week in practice: family law in Los Angeles is rarely simple. Real estate values, business interests, equity compensation, and blended households all push cases toward greater complexity than the statewide average.

Whether your matter involves divorce, custody, support, or property division under California law, a Los Angeles family law lawyer can help you understand where you stand before you make any major decisions.

Call Duncan Family Law at (855) 369-9993 for a free consultation.

How We Work With Los Angeles Family Law Clients

Every client of Duncan Family Law works directly with attorney Nicole Duncan. The firm is intentionally structured so that the lawyer evaluating your case is the same lawyer negotiating settlements, drafting agreements, and appearing in court on your behalf.

Clear Case Evaluation

A productive case begins with an honest evaluation. During the initial consultation, we map the relevant facts to the California Family Code, identify the issues most likely to drive cost or risk, and outline the realistic range of outcomes.

Clients leave that conversation with a clear understanding of what their case actually looks like, not a sales pitch.

Strategic Negotiation

Most family law matters in Los Angeles settle before trial. Reaching the right settlement requires preparation, not optimism. We build cases as if they were going to trial, which strengthens our position in negotiation and gives clients real leverage when discussing custody schedules, support, and property.

Trial-Ready Representation

When a case cannot be resolved by agreement, we are prepared to litigate. Nicole has substantial experience in Los Angeles family courts and is comfortable presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and arguing motions when settlement is not in a client’s best interest.

Collaboration With Specialists

Many cases benefit from outside professional input. Duncan Family Law regularly works with forensic accountants, business appraisers, real estate professionals, and child custody evaluators when the facts require it. Nicole’s background in business and entrepreneurial studies makes her especially effective at coordinating these professionals and translating their work into clear, persuasive presentations.

Family Law Issues That Are Often More Complex in Los Angeles

Cases in Los Angeles County tend to involve circumstances that require careful, experienced handling. Among the most common:

High-Asset and Business-Owner Households

Los Angeles is dense with business owners, entertainment professionals, executives, and high earners. These cases routinely involve closely held businesses, stock options and restricted stock units, deferred compensation, and significant real estate holdings.

Identifying community property and separate property correctly, valuing the business, and addressing tax consequences are all central. Mistakes at this stage are expensive and difficult to undo. 

High-Conflict Custody Matters

Custody disputes are emotionally difficult and procedurally specific. California courts evaluate custody under the best-interests standard, with attention to each parent’s relationship with the child, stability, and any safety concerns. Detailed parenting plans, holiday schedules, and decision-making frameworks make a meaningful difference in how families function after the case ends.

Interstate and Cross-Border Considerations

Many Los Angeles families have ties to other states or countries. Jurisdiction, enforcement of out-of-state orders, and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) all come into play. Nicole’s dual admission in California and Colorado, along with her International Law training, gives the firm a practical perspective on these matters.

Domestic Violence Concerns

Domestic violence allegations can affect custody, support, and property division. The firm handles these matters carefully and confidentially, whether seeking a restraining order on behalf of a victim or defending against allegations that are inaccurate or exaggerated.

When a Los Angeles family law case involves complex assets, contested custody, or cross-border issues, the right preparation early on shapes the entire outcome.

Call Duncan Family Law at (855) 369-9993 for a free consultation.

Communities We Serve in Los Angeles County

Duncan Family Law represents family law clients throughout Los Angeles County, with two office locations to serve the region:

  • Los Angeles office: 8075 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
  • Beverly Hills office: 468 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

We work with clients across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, Westwood, Hancock Park, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Marina del Rey, and surrounding Westside, Mid-Wilshire, and South Bay communities. Court appearances are handled in the appropriate Los Angeles Superior Court venue based on each case’s jurisdiction.

Wherever your case will be heard across Los Angeles County, Duncan Family Law can help you prepare with venue-specific knowledge of local family court procedures.

Call Duncan Family Law at (855) 369-9993 for a free consultation.

Family Law Issues in Los Angeles

Why Duncan Family Law

Duncan Family Law focuses on providing clear guidance and practical strategy for individuals navigating divorce and related matters.

We represent clients in both straightforward and complex family law cases, including matters involving financial assets, custody disputes, and interstate considerations.

When appropriate, we collaborate with financial professionals and other specialists to ensure issues are addressed thoroughly and responsibly.

About Attorney Nicole Duncan

Duncan Family Law is led by Nicole Duncan, a California family law attorney who founded the firm to provide focused, strategic representation in divorce and family law matters. Nicole represents clients throughout Los Angeles County, including the firm’s offices in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Learn more about the firm.

Credentials

  • California State Bar Number: 328341 (Active)
  • Colorado State Bar Number: 54630 (Active)
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.): Whittier Law School
  • B.A.: University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business (Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies)
  • Certificate in International Law: King’s College London
  • Admitted to practice: 2019
Professional Associations

Nicole regularly appears before the Los Angeles County Superior Court, including the Stanley Mosk Courthouse and surrounding family law divisions. Her background in business and forensic-style financial analysis is especially useful in cases involving complex assets, business ownership, and high-value property division.

Begin With a Confidential Consultation

If you are considering a family law matter in Los Angeles, we invite you to schedule a confidential consultation. You will speak directly with attorney Nicole Duncan about your circumstances, the relevant law, and a realistic plan for moving forward.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

A productive first consultation in a Los Angeles family law matter accomplishes three things. First, we listen to the facts of your situation in detail, including the history of the relationship, the financial picture, and any immediate concerns about safety or stability. Second, we explain how California family law applies to those facts, including the relevant statutes, the role of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, and the practical effect of recent local court procedures. Third, we discuss next steps and a realistic plan for the matter.

Most clients leave the consultation with a clearer understanding of three things: where they stand legally, what the range of likely outcomes looks like, and what immediate steps will protect their interests. There is no obligation to retain the firm at the end of the meeting. The goal is for you to make an informed decision about counsel, not to be sold.

Information that helps the consultation be more useful, where available, includes a general summary of assets and income, dates of marriage and separation, information about any children and existing custody arrangements, and copies of any existing court orders, agreements, or correspondence from opposing counsel. Having this material available is helpful but not required.

Duncan Family Law, Los Angeles Office

8075 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Phone: (855) 369-9993

Duncan Family Law, Beverly Hills Office

468 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

To speak directly with Los Angeles family law attorney Nicole Duncan about a divorce, custody, or other family law matter, schedule a consultation. Call Duncan Family Law at (855) 369-9993 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Family Law

You must meet California residency requirements (six months in the state) and the county residency requirement (three months in Los Angeles County) before filing for divorce in Los Angeles. Different rules apply to certain custody and support matters; we evaluate jurisdiction at the start of every case.

California imposes a six-month waiting period from the date of service before a divorce can be finalized. In practice, contested cases in Los Angeles often take longer due to discovery, valuations, and court scheduling. Mediated and uncontested cases can be completed shortly after the six-month period passes.

Yes. California is a community property state. As a general rule, assets and debts acquired during the marriage are divided equally, while separate property remains with the spouse who owns it. The classification of specific assets, especially businesses and appreciated real estate, often requires detailed analysis.

In most cases, no. California courts strongly disfavor putting children on the witness stand in family law matters. There are processes (including child custody evaluations and, in narrow circumstances, court interviews) that can capture a child’s perspective without subjecting them to formal testimony.

That is often a strong starting point. Mediation, collaborative divorce, and negotiated settlements are all available options under California law. We help clients pursue cooperative resolutions where appropriate while protecting their rights if circumstances change.

California law provides for spousal support and, in appropriate cases, attorney’s fees to be paid by the higher-earning spouse so that both sides can be represented. We help lower-earning clients understand their rights and pursue support that reflects the marital standard of living and other statutory factors.

Additional Information

Family law matters often involve sensitive issues and complex legal requirements. The information provided on this page is intended to offer general guidance and help visitors navigate available resources. Legal outcomes depend on individual circumstances and applicable law.

For detailed information about a specific service area, please review the corresponding pages linked above.

Los Angeles Offices

Duncan Family Law Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles
Address: 8075 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (855) 369-9993