Divorce Lawyer Versus Family Lawyer in Orange County: What’s The Difference? 2025
By Stephane Quinn | By Quinn & Dworakowski LLP |Family law is a broad area of civil law covering many types of cases that arise among families. You may be wondering about hiring a divorce lawyer versus a family lawyer in Orange County, but the reality is that the terms divorce lawyer and family lawyer are often used interchangeably. However, some attorneys focus solely on divorce cases, while others handle all types of family law cases.
Essentially, all family lawyers are divorce lawyers, but some divorce lawyers only handle divorce cases. The attorneys at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, provide comprehensive family law representation to clients in Orange County. We can help with a divorce, no matter its level of complexity, and you can also rely on our team to help you with standalone family court matters aside from divorce.
Divorce Lawyer Versus Family Lawyer in Orange County
Whenever you are facing any type of legal issue, skilled and trustworthy representation is an invaluable asset. It’s crucial to find an attorney who has proven experience handling cases like yours. Family law encompasses divorces as well as custody disputes, adoptions, child support determinations, and more. In Orange County, many family lawyers offer legal representation for divorces, and there are some who focus solely on divorce representation.
Attorneys who strictly offer divorce representation must still handle a variety of other family law matters aside from just dissolution. Ending a marriage in California not only requires resolving property division, but if the couple has children, they must also resolve custody and child support. Some divorce cases arise from acts of domestic violence, and victims will need restraining orders.
Divorces are the most common family law cases in Orange County and throughout California, and most divorces involve multiple family law matters. Ultimately, the only real difference between a divorce lawyer versus a family lawyer in Orange County is whether the attorney handles separate family law cases outside of divorces.
Filing for Divorce in California
According to the US Census, in 2023, about 10.5% of women and about 7% of men in California were divorced. All California divorces are processed on a no-fault basis, as California only recognizes no-fault divorce. Even if one spouse did something that directly caused the breakdown of the marriage, fault does not factor into any part of divorce proceedings.
Once you or your spouse has decided to end your marriage, or if you have reached a mutual decision to divorce, the formal legal process of dissolution begins with the submission of a divorce petition to the Orange County Superior Court. Most divorces in California are contested, meaning the couple must reach mutually acceptable terms before filing for divorce. This process will unfold differently for every divorcing couple in Orange County.
When divorcing spouses are willing to negotiate, they may be able to take advantage of alternative dispute resolution and resolve their divorce more quickly than they would have expected in litigation. While the couple will not be able to reach any firm conclusions on child custody with these negotiations, it’s possible for them to resolve financial matters like property division and spousal support.
Ultimately, whatever your divorce entails, it is crucial to hire an attorney who has experience handling cases similar to yours. Some attorneys in Orange County market themselves strictly as divorce lawyers and only take divorce cases, and some may only take relatively straightforward cases. Family lawyers, on the other hand, can typically expect to be willing to manage all aspects of a divorce as well as related cases in family court.
The attorneys at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, provide compassionate and results-driven legal counsel for a wide range of family law matters in Orange County. Regardless of how simple or complex your divorce may seem, our firm can assist you with resolving all the issues you must address to complete your divorce. Reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we provide.
FAQs
Q: Is a Divorce Lawyer the Same as a Family Lawyer?
A: Generally, yes, a divorce lawyer is the same as a family lawyer. Technically, there is only a difference at the individual level based on the types of cases the attorney accepts. A divorce lawyer could be an attorney who handles all family law cases, including divorce, or an attorney who solely handles divorce cases specifically. Take time to find an attorney who handles cases similar to yours.
Q: How Long Does Divorce Take in Orange County?
A: In Orange County, the time a divorce takes to complete varies based on the specific details of the case. Some divorces can be completed more quickly than others if divorcing spouses are willing to compromise and explore alternative dispute resolution, while others are more contentious and, therefore, take longer to complete. All divorces in California are subject to a minimum six-month waiting period after filing before they can be approved.
Q: Why Do I Need to Hire an Orange County Divorce Lawyer?
A: You need to hire an Orange County divorce lawyer to have a better chance of resolving your case efficiently and reaching the most agreeable terms in your divorce order. Even if you and your spouse are relatively agreeable toward one another, it is crucial to have an attorney representing you so you are prepared to face any unexpected challenges you encounter.
Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Divorce Lawyer in Orange County?
A: The cost to hire a divorce lawyer in Orange County varies from attorney to attorney. The majority of family lawyers and divorce lawyers in California accept cases with hourly billing. The attorney tracks how much time they spend working on a case and bills the client accordingly. Some attorneys charge retainer fees to new clients, and sometimes, they will deduct hours spent working on the case from these retainers before continuing to charge by the hour.
The attorneys at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, are family lawyers with more than 40 years of combined experience representing Orange County clients in divorces and many other complex family law matters. Our team is confident we have the skills and experience you need on your side for your impending case, so contact us today and schedule a strategy consultation to learn how we can assist you.
Copyright © 2025 Quinn & Dworakowski LLP. All rights reserved.
Digital Marketing By: 