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Divorce Lawyer

Conscientious | Diligent | Strong

Divorce Lawyer2025-11-25T07:30:17+00:00

Saying that divorce is difficult is an understatement.  It’s emotional, it’s overwhelming, and on top of that, it’s a complex legal process that can seriously affect your future. You don’t just need any divorce lawyer to help you through it; you need a partner you can trust to handle all the elements that this process is going to throw at you.

At the Law Office of David C. Watts, we understand. We’ve helped clients through the ups and downs of divorce proceedings. Our job is to make sure you understand your options, protect your rights, and get through this process with as little stress as possible.

Divorce, Legal Separation & Annulment

Understanding Your Options

Not every situation calls for the same legal solution. As your divorce lawyer, we will walk you through the choices:

Dissolution (Divorce)

Ends the marriage completely. Both spouses go back to being legally single and free to remarry.

Legal Separation

Similar to divorce, but the marriage is not technically over. Couples sometimes choose this for religious or financial reasons (like keeping health insurance).

Annulment

Wipes the marriage off the books completely, as if it never happened.

Common Divorce-Related Issues

California is a no-fault divorce state. That just means you don’t have to prove anyone did something wrong to file for divorce. As long as one person is saying there are “irreconcilable differences” in the marriage, that’s enough.

But even with a no-fault system, there are still some big issues you’ll need to sort out before a divorce can be finalized:

  • Property Division: Who gets what? California says most property or debt acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses and gets divided. Simple in theory, not always in practice. Retirement accounts, businesses, and even debt can make this tricky.

  • Custody & Visitation: If you have children, where will they live and what will the schedule look like? Courts focus on what’s best for the children, not the parents.

  • Child Support: Both parents must contribute financially. The exact number depends on income, custody time, and expenses.

  • Spousal Support: Sometimes called alimony. One spouse may need financial support while adjusting to post-divorce life.

Property Division

  • Houses, cars, bank accounts, and retirement plans often fall into “community property.”
  • Gifts, inheritances, or things owned before marriage are usually separate.
  • Some things are a mix of both, like retirement accounts you started before marriage but contributed to during it.

Child Custody & Visitation

When children are involved, custody can be the hardest part of divorce. Parents want what’s best for their children, but they don’t always agree on what that looks like.

Courts look at:

  • The child’s age and needs
  • The bond each parent has with the child
  • History of domestic violence or substance abuse
  • The child’s own wishes (depending on age)

Whenever possible, we try to help parents create a parenting plan without dragging things through court.

Child and Spousal Support

Money is often the hardest part of divorce. Between child support and spousal support, people understandably worry about making ends meet.

  • Child Support: This is calculated by a formula, but the details can make a huge difference.
  • Spousal Support: The court looks at factors like length of marriage, income, and lifestyle.

How Our Divorce Attorney Can Help

Having an experienced divorce lawyer by your side means you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

Here’s what we help with:

  • Explaining your legal options (divorce, separation, annulment) in plain English
  • Working out fair deals around money, property, and support
  • Helping create custody and visitation plans that put children first
  • Standing up for you in court if negotiations break down

Think of us as your guide through what can feel like uncharted territory.

Why Choose David C. Watts?

There are plenty of divorce lawyers out there, so why hire us?

Decades of Family Law Experience

David C. Watts has been practicing family law in Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties since 2001.

Personalized Strategy and Transparent Communication

We explain things to you in plain English, not legal jargon. Whether negotiating or litigating, we put your goals and your family first.

Trusted Local Advocate

The Law Office of David C. Watts is known for professionalism, integrity, and results. This isn’t just a case to us, it’s your life. We take that seriously.

What Our Clients Say

What Our Clients Say

5 stars

“David Watts is a great choice!”

David Watts has done a fantastic job thus far in representing me. He is kind and understanding and knows the law! He has a no nonsense approach and I like that. Simple and straight forward. Honest and fair.

I chose to hire David Watts in August, 2017 to represent me in my legal separation/divorce case. I say “chose” because there are many attorneys to choose from and that choice alone is overwhelming! Given the destructive and emotionally painful nature of divorce, no additional stress is needed. My sincere hope is that this review will help someone else by saving them some time and money and alleviate some stress in the decision making process. My choice to hire David Watts to represent me was made after having consultations with four other attorneys over the course of an approximate six month period of time prior to August, 2017. I had an acquaintance ask me, as if shocked I had consulted with so many others prior to hiring David Watts, “weren’t any of the other four attorneys competent enough”? I am sure they were competent, however, they were not the right fit for me. I had consultations with both female and male attorneys. When I met with David Watts for my initial consultation, I knew he was the right attorney for me. I felt at ease and comfortable in our meeting. I compare my consultation with David Watts to the feeling of “sitting and talking with a brother or friend who happens to knows a lot about divorce”. I am so glad I listened to my instinct and waited until hiring David Watts. David Watts is a man of integrity and character. When I told him who opposing counsel was, he had the opportunity to say negative things about this attorney. He did no such thing, and I value that! He has remained true to character throughout this long process. I have actually told him, “I am so glad you are not a creepy attorney”. I did not want an attorney who would fight dirty either. There are no winners in a divorce, but having the right attorney will ensure that you receive what is entitled to you. David Watts has done a fantastic job thus far in representing me. He is kind and understanding and knows the law! He has a no nonsense approach and I like that. Simple and straight forward. Honest and fair. He and the office staff have always returned my calls in a timely manner, and Nicole Thomson, has always answered all of my questions so graciously! My marriage was one of 25 years where my spouse the primary bread winner. Our children are grown so we have no parenting/custody issues. I highly recommend David Watts…God bless you!

– Previous Client

5 stars

“David Watts resolve the issue”

I went to 4 different divorce lawyers. I picked David because of his approach to the case. While every other lawyer acted like a car salesman and tried to over sell their self, David gave me honest opinion of the case, where I stand and what I should do…

…Instead of trying to get me to sign him, he literally told me to wait for the next move from the other party. His advice was good for my case, even though it did not benefit him. I made some mistakes from my side in handling the case on my own, but, David came with me to the court 3 times and appeared in front of 2 different judges. He worked tirelessly to try and find amicable solution between me and my wife. My wife was not very keen on making compromises but, David’s constant effort was seen by me and the judge! Judge commended him for trying to solve the issues without her intervention and because of that, judge was more sympathetic to help me and David resolve the issue. His handle on understanding, how judge is perceiving the case is extra ordinary. Each time he told me, what the judge may be thinking and leaning toward and he was right every time. He is also extremely honest with his billing process. I would hire David for any type of domestic dispute without any doubts.

– Previous Client

Divorce Lawyer FAQ

What does a divorce lawyer do?2025-11-20T09:01:37+00:00

A divorce lawyer assists clients in navigating the legal process of ending a marriage, including filing paperwork, negotiating settlements, and representing them in court.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost?2025-11-20T09:01:37+00:00

The cost of a divorce lawyer varies depending on factors like location, complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience, typically ranging from $150 to $500 per hour.

How do I choose a good divorce lawyer?2025-11-20T09:01:37+00:00

To choose a good divorce lawyer, consider their experience, specialization in family law, client reviews, and your comfort level with them during consultations.

Get your Free Case Evaluation Today

If you are facing divorce, you don’t have to do it alone. The Law Office of David C. Watts is here to answer your questions, explain your options, and stand by your side through the process.

📞 Call us today at (530) 554-2410 or contact us online now to schedule a free case evaluation.

Let’s get you the clarity and peace of mind you deserve.

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