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Best Divorce Lawyers in Bakersfield, CA

Our Recommended Top 7

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Bakersfield Divorce Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

169Reviewed

104Curated

7Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

4900 California Avenue Tower B-210, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Melvin J. Thompson aids families and couples of Bakersfield in negotiating divorce proceedings. Beyond handling child custody and visitation, the firm also covers guardianships, conservatorships, and adoptions, as well as restraining orders for domestic violence victims. Other practice areas include probate, estate planning, personal injury, and real estate. It also provides home visits for the elderly or clients unable to reach the office. Thompson has been commended by a client for his representation in a two-year custody battle.

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ernest Krause - PrincipalActive51 yrs
Peter Weinman - PrincipalActive23 yrs
Melvin Thompson - PrincipalNot Verified48 yrs

3434 Truxtun Ave, Suite 250, Bakersfield, CA 93312

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (32)
Avvo
5.0 (14)
Yelp
4.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Divorced by Design handles the divorce cases of clients in Bakersfield and nearby areas. It guides individuals in dissolving their marriage by helping them establish strategies and agreements that suit their needs and interests. The law firm also handles military divorce and spousal support matters. Its principal attorney, Garrett Rice, served as a prosecutor for over 10 years. He uses his experience with domestic violence, child fatality, and homicide cases to navigate his clients' family law issues.

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Divorce

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Garrett Rice - PrincipalActive13 yrs

1670 "M" Street,, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (8)
Google
5.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Xochitl M Garcia Law is a family and property lawyer serving clients in Bakersfield. Principal Xochitl Garcia counsels clients going through a divorce, educating them so they can make informed decisions. The firm prefers to resolve disputes through negotiation and settlement but has experience litigating when necessary. It assists with divorce-related issues, such as child custody and visitation, child support, and property division. Garcia is a past president of the Family Law Section of the Kern County Bar Association.

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Divorce

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Xochitl Garcia - PrincipalActive13 yrs

330 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.5 (5)
Yelp
4.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Swanson O'Dell A.P.C. is a Bakersfield law firm that offers legal solutions for personal injury and family law matters in the metro. The firm was established in 2007 by Jeremy D. Swanson, a board-certified family law specialist who has been in the legal industry since 2002. Together with partner Seth N. O’Dell, the firm handles legal separation cases and offers services such as child support and alimony calculations, divorce mediations, asset and liability divisions, legal guardianships, as well as post-separation agreements.

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Alimony

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeremy Swanson - Founding PartnerActive22 yrs

1919 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (89)
Facebook
4.3 (23)
Yelp
2.0 (22)

Why choose this provider?

Bobby Cloud Law offers both mediation and collaborative law services to divorce clients in Bakersfield. The firm’s lawyer, Bobby L. Cloud, spent five years in the Child Abuse Prevention Network of Kern County where he gained his experience in a variety of family law issues, such as divorce mediation, child support, paternity, spousal support, child custody and visitation, and property settlements. The firm's other areas of practice include misdemeanor and felony defense, domestic violence, and DUI.

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bobby Cloud - Family Law AttorneyActive16 yrs
Bobby Cloud - PrincipalActive16 yrs

1234 L St, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of George A. Boyle serves clients in Bakersfield by providing legal representation to individuals or spouses dealing with divorce-related matters, including child and spousal support, child custody and visitation, and asset distribution. Its team examines every case and offers tailored solutions that work well for clients. It also takes charge of preparing necessary documents and progress reports. The firm is also experienced in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, and general interest.

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

168 H St., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

My Lawyer William is a service provider that strives to keep its clients informed throughout the legal process. It helps individuals in Bakersfield resolve their family law concerns related to divorce and deal with child custody, visitation, and support. William Earl Edwards Jr., the firm's lawyer, represents clients in divorce cases that may involve property issues, domestic violence, and bankruptcy. Edwards, who has been practicing law for over 16 years, founded a publicly traded company in 1998 before joining the legal sector.

  • Child Support
  • Child Custody

Compare our Top Divorce Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Melvin J. Thompson, Attorney
4900 California Avenue Tower B-210, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Divorced by Design
3434 Truxtun Ave, Suite 250, Bakersfield, CA 93312
Xochitl M Garcia Law
1670 "M" Street,, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Swanson O'Dell A.P.C.
330 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Bobby Cloud Law
1919 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Law Offices of George A. Boyle
1234 L St, Bakersfield, CA 93301
My Lawyer William
168 H St., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Bakersfield, CA Divorce FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Bakersfield, California?

    Call 661-327-7111 to report non-emergencies to the police station in Bakersfield.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Bakersfield, California?

    Mail a request to the police department at 1601 Truxtun Avenue to get a police report for incidents in Bakersfield. Reports may also be obtained online at https://bakersfieldca.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/track to get a copy. Call 661-326-3854 for further assistance.

  • Can divorcing couples split retirement money if the account was opened before marriage in Bakersfield?

    No. Under state laws, retirement accounts that were opened before marriage are considered personal property in Bakersfield. As a result, the funds in these accounts, along with any interest earned, cannot be divided between divorcing couples. Only contributions, savings, and accounts acquired during the marriage can be divided during a divorce.

  • Can non-residents file for a divorce in Bakersfield?

    Individuals who are not residents of Bakersfield are not permitted to file for divorce in the city. Only individuals who have resided in California for a minimum of six months, including three months continuously in the county, are eligible to file for divorce. People must provide documentation confirming that they have met the residency criteria before initiating the divorce proceedings.

  • Is it necessary to have a lawyer during a divorce mediation in Bakersfield?

    No, it is not necessary to have a lawyer during a divorce mediation in Bakersfield. Couples can communicate and reach agreements regarding child and spousal support and asset division. However, it is crucial to prioritize the legal aspects of the divorce and avoid making emotional decisions, which makes it important to hire a lawyer. Some attorneys may even bring a psychologist to deal with the stress of the process.

  • What timeshare agreement options are available for children during a divorce in Bakersfield?

    In Bakersfield, the usual timeshare arrangement options for children in a divorce include alternating weekends and one weekday evening, wherein the custodial parent has 84% of the child's time. Another is alternating weekends and one overnight visit per week, with the custodial parent having a 71% timeshare. Additionally, the extended alternating weekend plan gives the custodial parent a 79% timeshare. These plans don't include holidays or special occasions. However, parents may design their own schedules.

  • What factors should be taken into account when determining alimony in Bakersfield?

    The factors that should be considered when determining alimony in Bakersfield include the length of the marriage, the emotional, physical, and financial health of each spouse, and the ability of the lesser-earning individual to become financially independent. The living standard before the divorce and the higher-earning partner's ability to pay for all dependents and the lesser-earning one are also considered. Additionally, the court takes into account the marital assets and debts and custody arrangements.