Protect what matters most — your children, your home, your future
Jennifer Nagel is a seasoned family law attorney with over 25 years of trial experience. She’s a former Pro Tem Judge and law professor, and is licensed to practice in California, Arizona, and Nevada. A graduate of UC Berkeley and UCLA Law School, Jennifer brings deep legal insight and compassion to every divorce case she handles.
Atwater VillageSilverlakeWhittierHollywoodEaglerockDivorce can be one of the most difficult decisions in life—but the legal process doesn’t have to be. Our California-based divorce attorneys provide clear, compassionate, and strategic legal support tailored to your unique situation.
You must meet the residency requirements of the state in which you wish to file.
Required by:
Governed by:
Family Code § 2105
Required unless waived in writing
CALLIFORNIA DIVORCE PREPARATION CHECKLIST WHAT TO EXPECT STEP BY STEP
At Nagel Law, we combine top-tier legal expertise with a hands-on, personalized approach. We believe every client deserves to feel heard, respected, and fiercely represented. Our mission is to guide you through the legal process with clarity, compassion, and strength — so you can move forward with confidence.
For over 24 years, we’ve empowered individuals to get quick and stress-free divorces while saving money in the process.
Jennifer Nagel did the impossible for me when it came to my case. she helped me keep my children safe and was super impressive in court. I honestly thought I hired a ninja of a lawyer. Thankyou Jennifer for such a great job and anyone else who needs a lawyer I highly recommend!
This attorney worked really hard for me. She kept great communication with me. She was a pleasure to work with. She is very professional, and is very smart. She saved me thousands of dollars because of her great work in my case. I highly recommend her.
I called for legal advice on my child custody case. She was very kind, honest and informative. Highly recommend her service.
Jennifer has been an amazing attorney for our family! She handled my case with the upmost professionalism and gave me full confidence in any task I needed accomplished.
I highly recommend Jennifer. She is prompt, sincere, goes above and beyond! She has helped me in several cases. From immigration, to probates, to family. She is my go to attorney for it all. And she has won every case of mine and that's why I continue to use her over 10 years. Thank you Jennifer!
Went and above to help and spent 45 minutes helping with question I had on documents. Made me feel extremely comfortable helping me was a great. Highest Navy tradition were held and best immigration, family, probate Lawyer I know. I would recommend her to Navy pacific fleet and the Marine core.
A very considerate lawyer, with a very good intention with a good heart. Will help you all through out your process. Im glad I have her as my lawyer. Very kind atty. Please continue to help people that are in need of your service. The office is very nice. Nic is very accomodating and very welcoming. Will address all your concern. Thank you so much for all your help.
Navigating divorce can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. We’ve answered the most common questions our California clients ask, from timelines and costs to custody and property division. Still unsure? Our legal team is just a call away.
Briefly Legal's back office services have been a game-changer for Caravel, allowing us to focus on our clients and grow our firm.
The minimum time is 6 months from the date the respondent is served. However, the actual timeline depends on how contested the issues are.
Yes. You don’t need to prove wrongdoing. You can simply state “irreconcilable differences.”
Not always. If both parties agree on all terms, you can settle out of court and submit your agreement for approval. Contested cases may require court hearings.
A legal separation doesn’t end the marriage. You stay legally married but divide assets and debts, and may get custody/support orders. Divorce ends the marriage completely.
California is a community property state. Assets and debts acquired during marriage are split 50/50 unless there’s a valid agreement (e.g., a prenup).
Possibly. The court considers factors like length of marriage, income disparity, and standard of living. Support may be temporary or long-term, depending on circumstances.
Based on the best interests of the child. Courts look at stability, safety, and each parent's ability to care for the child. Joint custody is common, but not automatic.
If they don’t file a response within 30 days, you can request a default judgment and move forward without their participation.
Yes. Both parties must complete mandatory financial disclosures, including assets, debts, income, and expenses. This ensures fair property division and support orders.
Yes. If there’s a change in circumstances, such as income changes or relocation, you can request a modification of custody or support orders.
