Lauren Fair has been an amazing lawyer. She is attentive, knowledgeable, compassionate, hard working, and an amazing advocate to have on my side. I feel lucky to have her through this difficult time and trust in her judgment completely. Her expertise and attention to detail is astonishing. I would recommend Lauren to anyone who needs a supportive and strong lawyer on their side!
Understand Your Best Path Forward
Have a Strategic, Compassionate Advocate Along the Way
San Diego Divorce Attorneys
San Diego Divorce and Family Law Attorneys On Your Side
At Fair Cadora, we understand the complexities and sensitivity involved in family law and divorce cases, and are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals during this difficult and emotional process.
Both of our Partners are Certified Family Law Specialists, recognized by the State Bar of California as specially qualified to handle family law matters. All of our attorneys practice family law exclusively.
We treat our clients with the utmost professional care and respect while providing them with the expert legal guidance they need to navigate through their family law case. Our San Diego divorce and family law firm has been providing unmatched legal representation to thousands of families for many years. Our team of legal professionals is dedicated to helping our clients protect their rights and navigate through the overwhelming terrain of family law.
The experienced San Diego divorce
and family law attorneys at Fair Cadora understand the importance of taking every case seriously.
We recognize that every family law case is unique and requires a personalized approach.
Our goal is to provide clear, honest, and straightforward legal advice to our clients and their families to help them make the best decisions possible in the legal process and help them gain a better understanding of what to expect along the way.
We understand that emotions can run high in family law cases.
When flooded with emotions, your ability to make smart decisions for your future is impacted. We provide our clients with thoughtful advice and walk them through a cost-benefit analysis when presenting them with their options to help them make strategic legal decisions along the way, rather than short-sighted ones fueled by negative emotion.
If you’re looking for a San Diego divorce and family law firm that can provide you with the honest legal representation you need, look no further than Fair Cadora.
Our collective experience, knowledge, and expertise make us the right choice for your divorce or family law case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced San Diego divorce and family law attorneys.
Results are our passion
Trust Our Expert San Diego Family Law Attorneys to Deliver the Outcome You Deserve
Fair Cadora’s legal team is committed to delivering results to our clients.
Attorney Lauren Fair
Attorney and Founding Partner Lauren Fair, a Certified Family Law Specialist, is a recognized legal expert in family law dispute resolution in California. She brings her cutting-edge knowledge to our team, ensuring that our clients receive top-notch legal representation in this specialized area of practice.
Attorney Kevin Cadora
Founding Partner, Attorney Kevin Cadora, a Certified Family Law Specialist, is a seasoned litigator with a wealth of legal experience. He also serves as a mediator, helping parties and their attorneys reach peaceful settlements. His knowledge of the inner workings of the courtroom gives our clients a valuable advantage, whether through trial or mediation.
Years of Combined Experience
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What Our Clients Are Saying
Lauren Fair has been an amazing lawyer. She is attentive, knowledgeable, compassionate, hard working, and an amazing advocate to have on my side.
Robynn Cavaliere
Divorce is difficult as it is so having a great lawyer helping you makes a big difference.
I felt very much at ease when approaching Lauren Fair Cadora to help me with my divorce. She explained things so I could understand. I was able to contact her with any questions or concerns at any time. Divorce is difficult as it is so having a great lawyer helping you makes a big difference.
Patti Koch
I'm so grateful to Kevin and his entire team for the tireless work they put into my case. Kevin is a fantastic attorney, very knowledgeable, results driven, and compassionate.
Having never been through any type of legal proceeding prior to this experience, I learned quickly that having the right attorney behind you makes a world of difference. I’m so grateful to Kevin and his entire team for the tireless work they put into my case. Kevin is a fantastic attorney, very knowledgeable, results driven, and compassionate. He took the time to explain each step of the process to me, to discuss different possible outcomes, to share his expert opinion, but always allow me to make the best decisions for my situation. I was terrified going into this process but always felt confident with Kevin as my attorney. Fair Cadora is a wonderful firm to work with.
Erin
I worked with Lauren Fair and her staff for over a year and a half. The entire time they were responsive, professional, honest and very informative.
I worked with Lauren Fair and her staff for over a year and a half. The entire time they were responsive, professional, honest and very informative. Lauren walked me through the entire process step by step. When a court date or decision needed to be made. She was honest and prepared me for all the scenarios. Her knowledge and commitment to her work shows. I always received timely responses from her and all staff members. I can not thank them enough for all they did for me. I am now divorced and was granted an out of state move away. I highly recommend Lauren Fair. She truly cares about her clients and their best interest.
Desiree P.
Lauren has been my attorney for the past 3 years and I could not be more pleased with how she and her team handled my case from beginning to end.
Lauren has been my attorney for the past 3 years and I could not be more pleased with how she (and the rest of her team) handled my case from beginning to end. Throughout this terribly trying experience (which included multiple hearings for divorce, custody, and child support disputes) my confidence in Lauren has never faltered and I was able to find comfort in the fact that she always had my and my daughter’s interests in mind. I was well informed, well prepared, and had clear expectations throughout the entire process, and I was never disappointed or surprised in court. I have already personally recommended her to one other person (who has retained her) and will do so to anyone who finds themselves in this difficult situation.
Peter Hudack
The moment I went into consultation with Lauren I felt at ease and relieved that finally someone is willing to listen and understand.
This review is long overdue. I am very thankful to Lauren Fair. I was her client back in 2012. I was having a difficult time with my daughter’s father but the moment I went into consultation with her I felt at ease and relieved that finally someone is willing to listen and understand. I didn’t have much money, I even lost my apartment in order to retain her services. My child and I were legit homeless. She is compassionate and willing to go out and above for her client. I am truly grateful. She got it done in one go. No headache or mess for me. I had a smooth experience. Thank you Lauren.
Grace Aula
The attorneys at Fair Cadora specialize in handling divorce and family matters in San Diego.
We believe our clients are best served by us mastering one area of the law rather than dabbling in many. We aren’t the jack-of-all-trades attorneys; we are the masters of divorce and family law. We practice only family law every day, all day.
Knowing the ins and outs of divorce and family law in San Diego is crucial to the success of your case, as is being familiar with the courts and judges in your county. Our attorneys know the laws, judges, and local court procedures, so they can provide you with the best legal representation in all of San Diego. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible legal representation that empowers our clients to make smart, informed decisions about the best course of action for them.
Our Services
Get the Type of Support You Need
Full-Scope Representation
We offer traditional legal representation in family law matters where we can become your attorney of record for, manage the legal process, and represent you in court when necessary.
Mediation
Our Founding Partners Lauren Fair & Kevin Cadora are trained mediators. We can provide mediation services to both you and your spouse to help you resolve your divorce outside of court through the cooperative conflict-resolution process of mediation.
Consulting
At our firm, we provide flexible and affordable unbundled legal services, including consulting, document review, and coaching, to support you through family disputes or mediation, tailored to fit your unique needs and budget.
Not sure what you need? Not to worry – our legal team is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced San Diego divorce and family law attorneys.
Divorce Done Differently™
We believe family law disputes are best resolved out of court whenever possible.
We approach every client’s case with an eye for how we can achieve our client’s legal goals most effectively, efficiently, cost-consciously, and with as much control over the outcome as possible. Our strategic, compassionate approach has our clients, their finances, and their future at the center.
We are strategically aggressive,
yet reasonable.
We ensure that our clients receive the best possible outcome in their family law cases, balancing strong courtroom advocacy with a strategic, client-focused approach to achieve optimal results. Sometimes that means having to go to trial, and in those instances, we are highly skilled and experienced in the courtroom.
What makes our firm right for you?
Our commitment to providing top-notch legal representation, clear communication, straightforward education, and practical legal advice you can rely on.
Our attorneys are fully prepared for all hearings, trials, or negotiations, ensuring that we are always one step ahead. We provide sound, truthful, and objective legal advice, keeping our clients informed every step of the way.
At Fair Cadora, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible legal representation, and we will work tirelessly to achieve your goals and help you begin the next chapter of your life.
Divorce and Family FAQs
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in California?
A divorce lawyer in California typically charges between $300 and $650 per hour, depending on their experience, the complexity of the case, and location. Many lawyers also require an upfront retainer, usually ranging from $3,500 to $10,000, which is used to cover ongoing legal work.
For simpler cases, some attorneys may offer flat fees, often around $2,500 to $3,500, especially for uncontested divorces. However, the total cost can increase significantly in contested cases involving disputes over custody, property, or support, as these require more time, court involvement, and legal preparation.
Ultimately, the cost depends less on the lawyer and more on the level of conflict, the issues involved, and how efficiently the case is resolved.
How can I protect my assets during a contested divorce in California?
Protecting your assets during a contested divorce in California starts with understanding how property is classified and taking proactive steps early in the process. Under California’s community property laws, assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally, but disputes often arise over what is considered community versus separate property.
To protect your financial interests, it is important to gather and organize all financial records, clearly identify separate property such as pre-marriage assets or inheritances, and avoid transferring or hiding assets, as this can negatively impact your case. Obtaining professional valuations for major assets like real estate or businesses can also help ensure a fair division.
Working with an experienced divorce lawyer is often critical, as they can help protect your rights, ensure full financial disclosure from the other party, and develop a strategy to secure a fair outcome based on your specific circumstances.
What should I do in the first 30 days after being served with divorce papers in San Diego?
The first 30 days after being served with divorce papers in San Diego are critical, as this is the deadline to file your formal response with the court. Failing to respond within this timeframe can result in a default judgment, meaning the court may grant your spouse what they requested without your input.
During this period, you should carefully review the documents, understand your rights and obligations, and begin preparing your response. It is also important to gather financial information, as both parties are required to exchange detailed disclosures about income, assets, and debts early in the process.
Seeking legal advice as soon as possible can help ensure your response is properly prepared, your interests are protected, and you avoid costly mistakes that could affect the outcome of your case.
Should I choose a DIY divorce or hire an attorney for my San Diego divorce?
Choosing between a DIY divorce and hiring an attorney in San Diego depends largely on the complexity of your case and your ability to manage legal and financial issues on your own. A DIY divorce may work in situations where both spouses agree on all terms, such as property division, custody, and support, making the process simpler and more cost-effective.
However, when there are disputes, significant assets, or emotional tension, hiring a divorce attorney is often the safer option. Legal guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes, ensure your rights are protected, and provide strategic advice throughout the process. Even in cooperative cases, having an attorney involved can help people receive professional guidance on the legal documents required for the court and ensure agreements are properly structured and enforceable.
Ultimately, the right path depends on whether your divorce is straightforward or involves issues that require legal experience to resolve effectively.
What steps should I follow when preparing for divorce in San Diego?
Preparing for divorce in San Diego involves a structured, step-by-step approach to ensure you stay organized and protect your interests. Key steps include confirming that you meet residency requirements, gathering important financial documents such as tax returns and financial account statements, and creating a clear list of your assets and debts.
If you have children, you should also begin developing a parenting plan that addresses custody and decision-making responsibilities. Once ready, the process continues with filing for divorce and addressing temporary orders related to support, housing, and parenting time.
Finally, you will either work toward a negotiated settlement or prepare for court if an agreement cannot be reached. Following a clear checklist helps reduce stress, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and allows you to make informed decisions throughout the divorce process.
What are the most common reasons a divorce becomes contested in San Diego?
A divorce becomes contested in San Diego when spouses cannot agree on one or more key issues, requiring the court to step in and make decisions. The most common causes of a contested divorce include disagreements over child custody, division of property and debts, and financial matters such as spousal or child support.
These disputes often arise because each party has different priorities or views on what is fair, especially when children or significant assets are involved. In some cases, emotional conflict or an inability to communicate effectively can further prevent resolution, making a contested divorce necessary.
Ultimately, when spouses are unable to reach an agreement through negotiation or other methods, the court must intervene to resolve these issues and finalize the divorce.
Request Case Evaluation
At Fair Cadora, we understand that family law cases can be overwhelming and stressful. The attorney you choose can make or break your case. That’s why we offer a paid strategy session to all potential clients.
We want you to have the chance to connect with us and gain your trust, while receiving valuable advice and insight about your situation. During a strategy session, we will review the details of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your legal options.
The quality of our work and advice during a strategy session will allow you to make an informed decision about the next steps in your case and assess if it feels like a fit for us to work together. The first step is to request a case evaluation.
