Your ExpERIENCED Family and Divorce Attorney in San Diego

Best Divorce Attorney in San Diego with Dual FOCUS ON family law and Criminal Defense

Helping You & Your Family Find a Brighter Tomorrow

Contact me for a low-cost consultation regarding any family law or criminal defense matter.

Reach Out Today: 1 (858) 922-7098

Welcome to the Law Office of San Diego Divorce Attorney
& Criminal Defense Lawyer, Michael C. MacNeil

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Practicing Area

Whether you’re going through a divorce or you need help defending your name in a criminal court of law, there’s no cookie-cutter way of tackling your issue effectively. That’s because each case is distinct; there’s no such thing as a magic formula for calculating how a particular event has impacted you personally, or your family.

As an experienced trial and divorce attorney in San Diego specializing in child custodyrestraining orders, criminal defense, and adoptions for stepparents, I am ready to provide you with the personalized attention and services that your unique case deserves.

Ready to get started? Reach out today for a low-cost consultation.

Family Law

  • Estate Planning
  • Child Custody
  • Paternity Issues
  • Military Divorce
  • Child Spousal Support
  • Apportionment of Assets
  • Adoptions
  • Asset Property Division
  • Deferred Home Sales

Criminal Law

  • Restraining Orders
  • Civil Harassment
  • Second Amendment Violations
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence Support
  • DUI Defense
  • Juvenile Defense
  • Expungements

DIVORCE

Most divorce cases take too long and cost too much. There are numerous ways attorneys can extend a case and increase the fees they charge their clients. You can trust that as your divorce attorney in San Diego, I will always act in your best interest and communicate transparently about your case from the start, to finish, and beyond. Learn About Divorce

CHILD CUSTODY

Your child custody matter will be decided by a judge if you and the other parent cannot agree. As required, the judge will take into consideration a mediation report written either by Family Court Services or a private mediator. I can help you navigate this process smoothly. Child Custody FAQ

CRIMINAL LAW

Whether in the scope of your divorce trial proceedings or as a completely separate legal matter, as a criminal attorney in San Diego, I can help you with restraining orders, domestic abuse, civil harassment allegations, second amendment violations, and more. Criminal Law Practice Areas

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I RECEIVE LEGAL SERVICES REMOTELY?

Yes. I can manage your legal needs remotely. I understand that when you are facing a pressing legal issue, like a divorce, criminal charge, or estate planning issue, you need legal help right away. You don’t have time to wait for someone to be in the office to finally respond to your call. That’s why I am here to support you virtually from any location in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

Call me today to get started.

WHAT IS THE COST OF DIVORCE IN CALIFORNIA?

In most cases, divorce in California ranges from more than $5,000 to nearly $40,000. These varied costs depend on a number of factors, as no two divorce situations are alike.

On average, the cost of divorce in California is about $17,500. Note that divorce proceedings involving children tend to be the most expensive to conclude.

HOW LONG WILL MY CRIMINAL CASE TAKE?

The length of your criminal case will ultimately depend on the crime you’ve been charged with and how complex your case is. However, following your arrest, critical proceedings will start immediately, and so it’s imperative you reach out to a criminal defense attorney in San Diego near you as soon as possible.

As your attorney, I will guide you through the California court system and help you choose the best, most personally favorable path given the circumstances surrounding your case.

HOW LONG WILL MY DIVORCE TAKE?

Sadly, in California, family law courts’ calendars are quite full. For this reason, the process of divorce usually lasts between eight and 20 months, with 15 months being the average. Unscrupulous lawyers take advantage of this by adding unnecessary billable hours to increase the cost of your divorce.

Learn About California’s Criminal Codes

Criminal Defense FAQ

IS HIRING AN ATTORNEY NECESSARY FOR PURSUING A RESTRAINING ORDER?

Being represented by an attorney is not a requirement for those seeking restraining orders. However, having an attorney represent you offers multiple benefits.
First, as your attorney, I can help you to choose the best restraining order option for your particular situation (e.g., emergency order, temporary order, criminal order, or civil harassment order). I can also help you to successfully prepare the necessary court documents based on my knowledge of today’s legal standards and the kinds of evidence required to justify your order. Finally, I can legally represent you at the hearing for the restraining order you’re seeking.

what people say

THE MICHAEL C. MACNEIL DIFFERENCE

Unlike other San Diego family law attorneys who purposefully extend cases to increase clients’ fees, I work hard to speed up the divorce process by pushing your opposing counsel and the court to move quickly.

Why?

Because I know, first-hand, how important it is to push past the stresses of a courtroom so you can get on with your life. Circumstances are tough enough without having to worry about mounting legal bills.

I also differ from other divorce attorneys in San Diego because my goal is to simplify your divorce process, legal defense, legal separation, or child custody situation so that you can more quickly move forward with your life. My goal is to help you get your life back on track.

If you’re dealing with restraining order issues or need to create a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to protect yourself financially long term, I can ensure your rights are protected.

FAMILY LAW SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA

I offer a wide range of services in the family law area, including complex divorce litigation or even uncontested divorce matters.

For instance, I can help you navigate the complex areas of spousal support and child support. Note that the court calculates both types of support based on a state formula. The factors used to determine how much you will receive or pay in support are both parties’ incomes and how many children you have, for example.

I will push for the most personally favorable support amounts for you and your children.

ESTATE LAW SERVICES FOR CALIFORNIA FAMILIES

In addition to my practice areas in family law and criminal defense, I bring extensive experience with setting up estate plans, guiding individuals through probate administration, and acting as your family’s attorney to serve your various legal matters.

WHY THE LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL C. MACNEIL?

I also take pride in operating with a high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism in every case.

When you hire me as your divorce attorney in San Diego or as your criminal law attorney in San Diego, I pursue your case with the highest level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism you will find. When you leave my office, you can feel confident that your best interests are protected from start to finish.

Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you to successfully navigate even the most complicated family law or criminal law situations.

RESOURCES & FURTHER READING

I regularly cover topics to help my clients and our community learn more about how to navigate California’s legal system, whether it’s for learning how family law works or the intricacies of criminal charges in the state.