Family-Law-Only Representation Backed by 100+ Years of Combined Experience
Family-law cases can shape parenting arrangements, financial obligations, property rights, and decisions that affect your household for years. We represent couples and families throughout Orange County in matters involving divorce, child custody, visitation rights, support, and property division. Orange County family-law matters are filed at the Lamoreaux Justice Center and may involve document preparation, financial disclosures, temporary orders, mediation, discovery, hearings, or trial depending on the disputed issues.
Legal matters involving your family can be emotionally exhausting, whether or not they involve divorce. Every decision you make can directly affect your future and the future of your loved ones. Our Orange County family law attorneys assess the immediate issues, explain the available paths, and prepare for negotiation or litigation based on your circumstances. Our attorneys certified in family law focus on practical strategies that account for both present needs and long-term goals.
Our lead attorneys are certified in family law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. This credential requires attorneys to complete a rigorous examination, establish substantial experience in the field, meet ongoing educational requirements, and receive favorable evaluations from judges and attorneys acquainted with their work in family-law matters. Certification must also be maintained through continued compliance with the State Bar program’s requirements.
How Long Does an Orange County Family-Law Case Take? The duration depends on the issues, cooperation between the parties, required documentation, and the court’s schedule. Cases involving disputed custody, support, or significant property division generally require more time than matters resolved through a complete agreement. We identify the steps likely to affect your case and keep you informed as filing deadlines, negotiations, hearings, and other developments shape the timeline.
What Should I Bring to My Initial Consultation? Bring available income statements, recent tax returns, pay stubs, existing court orders, any prenuptial agreement, and any postnuptial agreements. If your matter concerns children, school or medical records and relevant parenting communications may also be useful. Don’t delay a consultation because you’re missing a document. We can identify what else is needed after learning about your situation.
Do I Have to Go to Court? Not every family-law case requires a contested courtroom proceeding. Some disputes can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, while unresolved requests may require temporary orders, hearings, or trial. We assess the disputed issues, available information, safety concerns, and prospects for an enforceable agreement before recommending a path. If litigation becomes necessary, we prepare to present the relevant evidence in Orange County Superior Court.
For a consultation with an Orange County attorney at the Burch Shepard Family Law Group, call (949) 565-4158 or contact us online.
Community Resources:
A variety of nonprofit social services agencies provide counseling services to divorcing families in the areas of domestic violence, marriage, family and children, and drug and alcohol abuse. Legal assistance is also available. For a list of these community resources, please contact Family Court Services at 714-935-6550.
Books To Help Divorcing Parents And Their Children:
My Mom and Dad Are Getting a Divorce by Florence Bienenfeld
Mom's House, Dad's House by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D.
Co-Parenting by Miriam Galper
When Living Hurts by Gordon Sol
Megan's Book of Divorce: A Kid's Book for Adults by Eric Jong
Child Custody: Building Agreements That Work by Mimi E. Lyster
The Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals by Richard A. Gardner, M.D.
Making the decision to end your marriage is never easy. If you’re contemplating divorce or have already initiated the process, our attorneys can help you protect your interests throughout each phase. A dissolution may require decisions about marital property and debts, financial disclosures, child custody, support, and final orders. We explain each phase as clearly as possible while preparing for the level of negotiation or litigation your circumstances require.
Planning for Settlement or Litigation
We bring more than 100 years of combined experience to the table. Our divorce lawyers in Orange County address complex finances, challenging custody disputes, support concerns, property division, and post-divorce issues. We use negotiation and mediation when they offer a workable path to enforceable terms, but we’re prepared for hearings or trial when material disagreements remain.
Our family law attorneys in Orange County explain the legal requirements and practical consequences of each available option. We stay current with California family law and prioritize clear communication throughout the case. Each legal strategy is tailored to the disputed issues, available evidence, safety considerations, and your long-term priorities.
Comprehensive Family Law Services in Orange County
At Burch Shepard Family Law Group, we represent clients in family-law matters that arise before, during, and after a divorce. Our work also includes disputes between unmarried parents, protective-order proceedings, financial agreements, and appellate issues. Since 2005, we’ve helped Orange County clients assess immediate concerns while preparing for later stages such as enforcement or modification.
Support proceedings: Spousal support, child support, enforcement, and requests to change existing orders
Property and financial matters: Property division, high-net-worth divorce, complex marital estates, and cohabitation issues
Agreements and marital status:prenuptial agreement and postnuptial agreements, legal separation, and annulments
Protection and parentage: Domestic violence restraining orders, paternity, and parentage actions
Later proceedings:modifications, enforcement of existing orders, post-judgment disputes, and family-law appeals
Representation can continue after an initial judgment when changed circumstances support a modification request, an existing order isn’t being followed, or an appellate issue requires review. We approach each stage with careful preparation, direct advice, and a strategy suited to the specific legal and factual questions involved.
“If you are looking for a law firm that is no only highly competent but also deeply compassionate and committed to your case, I cannot recommend them highly enough.”
A few years ago i was going through one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was in the middle of a highly contentious custody dispute in which I had lost custody of my daughter. I was overwhelmed, discouraged, and unsure of where to to next. I was fortunate enough to have met Courtney Shepard. From the very beginning, working with Courtney was a completely different experience from any other law firm I had encountered. After previously working with, and ultimately dismissing, two other attorneys, i knew right away that this team stood apart. Courtney took the time to truly understand my case in depth an, just as importantly, to listen to me. I never once felt like just another client. Her team, Shawna and Paul, were equally exceptional, supportive, attentive and genuinely caring throughout the entire process. Over the course of two years of court hearings and filings, they stood by me every step of the way with professionalism, compassion, and dedication. Today I am incredibly grateful to say that I now have joint legal custody of my daughter , an she is one again part of my life an we couldn't be happier. Courtney Shepard and the entire team at Burch Shepard Law Group helped me achieve something I once feared was out of reach. I am eternally grateful to them. If you are looking for a law firm that is no only highly competent but also deeply compassionate and committed to your case, I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Former Client
“Thank you for all of your guidance and support through this journey!”
I just wanted to send you a HUGE thank you for all of your support through this process. I am thrilled with the outcome today and so relieved that this is coming to a close. Thank you for all of your guidance and support through this journey.
Former Client
“I would not hesitate to recommend Courtney Shepard and her team to anyone in need of quality representation in their divorce.”
“They made the divorce process so much less stressful than it could have been. I would not hesitate to recommend Courtney Shepard and her team to anyone in need of quality representation in their divorce.”
Former Client
“A brilliantly educated pit bull”
“True brilliance in action is a site to behold. At this point I am comfortable with everything she was able to help me with, and I know that she will be the first call I make, if I have any other future issues that require the courts intervention.”
Former Client
“THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING.”
I am thankful for a attorney Robert, for his wonderful representation. His professionalism, and the way he carries himself with so much authority and knowledge is making this process run Smoothly. The delay in the process has given my children and I time, space, peace of mind and the healing we needed so much, thank you. God knows the right timing and the right results and He sends us the right persons to work things out. You are all a team of wonderful people. Thank you.
Whether you need to modify a child custody agreement or create a prenuptial agreement, our attorneys have the legal knowledge and resources to help you define and pursue your goals. As Certified Family Law Specialists, our lead attorneys hold a credential earned through substantial family-law experience, examination, continuing education, and professional evaluation. Our attorneys collectively bring more than 100 years of experience to matters that may require settlement-oriented advice, detailed financial analysis, or courtroom preparation.
We’ve practiced family law exclusively since 2005. Our work includes complex property division, spousal support, child support, modifications, parental relocation, and related disputes. At every stage, we focus on clear communication and honest guidance so clients can make informed decisions from the first consultation through final orders or later enforcement proceedings.
Our professional recognition includes Super Lawyers from 2015 through 2026 and Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2013 through 2018. We also hold an A+ BBB rating and maintain memberships in the State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association, and Association of Certified Family Law Specialists.
Child Custody, Visitation & Support in Orange County
Child custody and support cases can affect parenting time, decision-making authority, and household finances. Under California law, the child’s best interests guide custody and visitation rights determinations. The analysis may address parenting schedules, decision-making authority, safety concerns, parental involvement, and the child’s established relationships. We guide clients through parenting-plan negotiations, temporary-order requests, contested hearings, and post-judgment modifications.
Our legal team also provides counsel on spousal and child support calculations under California law, which require accurate financial documentation and careful analysis. Income disputes, employment changes, parenting time, and other case-specific information may affect the issues presented. We assist with modifying or enforcing support when circumstances change or an existing order isn’t followed.
Orange County Family Court Filings & Services
The Orange County Superior Court identifies the Lamoreaux Justice Center as the filing location for Orange County family-law matters. The court also houses Family Court Services and the Office of the Family Law Facilitator at that location. These services may be relevant to court-connected custody mediation, investigations, and certain support-related questions, although they don’t replace independent legal representation.
We evaluate the evidence, disputed issues, and available resolution paths before recommending mediation, negotiation, or family-law litigation.
Discuss Your Next Step with Our Family-Law Team
Our family-law-only team evaluates immediate deadlines, documents, and resolution options while preparing for litigation when necessary. Virtual consultations are available for prospective clients who prefer to meet remotely.
Robert Burch Certified Specialist - Family Law, SuperLawyer
