Los Angeles, California · Updated November 2026
Top 3 Family Law Attorneys in Los Angeles (2026)
Three Los Angeles family law firms compared on Google ratings, practice focus, languages, hours and what clients say in their reviews. Land Legal Group is listed first.
- ✓Divorce
- ✓Child custody
- ✓Child & spousal support
- ✓Prenups
- ✓Restraining orders
At a glance
Los Angeles family law firms compared
| Firm | Google rating | Reviews | First meeting | Practice focus | Languages published | Weekend hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Land Legal Group | ★★★★½ 4.7 | 190 | Free initial consultation | Family law only | Call to ask | Sat 9am–5pm |
| 2Progresso Legal Group, P.C. | ★★★★½ 4.8 | 441 | Free evaluation | Family, criminal & immigration | English & Spanish | Phones 24/7 (appointments vary) |
| 3The Sands Law Group, APLC | ★★★★ 4.4 | 168 | Free case evaluation | Family law, plus some civil & criminal | English, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, French | Listed 24 hours on Google; call to confirm |
“Call to ask” means the firm does not publish this on its website. Weekend hours come from each firm’s Google listing; confirm before you go.
Ratings and review counts from Google, checked November 4, 2026. Hours can change on holidays; call to confirm.
The list
Top 3 family law attorneys in Los Angeles
Land Legal Group
Family law matters handled
- Divorce
- Child custody
- High-conflict custody
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Children’s law & dependency
- Domestic violence & restraining orders
- Fathers’ rights
- Grandparents’ rights
- Paternity
- Prenups & postnups
- Post-judgment modification
Land Legal Group is a California family law firm founded in 2016 by Joseph Land, who leads the firm from its Los Angeles office on Avenue of the Stars in Century City and also serves Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties from an Oxnard office. Joseph Land was admitted to practice in 2009 and lists Super Lawyers recognition for family law from 2021 to 2026. His background defending parents in dependency court gives the firm depth in high-conflict custody, DCFS and children’s law matters. The firm handles divorce from uncontested filings to high-net-worth and business-owner cases, plus custody, support, paternity, grandparents’ rights, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and post-judgment changes, and appears in LA County courthouses including Stanley Mosk, Pasadena, Long Beach, Compton and Chatsworth.
What clients praise
- Reviewers in high-conflict cases describe Joseph Land and his team as readily available, with one noting he took calls late at night and on weekends
- Clear, practical guidance: clients say they never felt rushed and left the first conversation understanding their options
- Support staff named in reviews, including paralegal James Maciel for help gathering intake paperwork and evidence, and Alexandra Diaz for steady communication through a long divorce
Worth knowing
- Family law only, so a client who also faces a criminal charge or an immigration question will need a second firm
- The website does not say whether Spanish or other languages are offered; call to ask
- Reviews describe a team of associates and paralegals working on cases, so ask at the first meeting who will handle day-to-day work
- Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
- Sat 9am–5pm
- Sun Closed
Why it made the list: The only family-law-only firm of the three, with published dependency and DCFS experience and Saturday office hours.
📍 1900 Avenue of the Stars Ste 1850, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Progresso Legal Group, P.C.
Family law matters handled
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Custody modification
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Property division
- Paternity & DNA testing
- Domestic violence & restraining orders
- Grandparents’ rights
- Move-away cases
- International divorce & custody
Progresso Legal Group, P.C. is a bilingual Los Angeles firm on West Olympic Boulevard, across from Loyola Law School, that says it has served Southern California families for more than 25 years. Family law is one of three practice areas alongside criminal defense and immigration, and the firm presents itself as one team for families whose divorce, arrest or immigration problem overlap. Its family practice covers divorce, legal separation and annulment, custody and custody modification, child and spousal support, property division, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders and international custody. The firm says its phones are answered around the clock in shifts, with attorney appointments subject to availability, and it offers a free evaluation.
What clients praise
- Reviewers say attorney Daniel explained divorce in plain language, answered every question and did not turn the first call into a sales pitch
- Attorney Lila is praised for representing a client in court, and Katherine in the office for patiently answering questions
- Several reviewers name case staff such as Kaitlyn, Marvin Ortiz and Jose Vanegas for keeping them updated, and one client says they have hired the firm three times
Worth knowing
- Family law shares the firm with criminal defense and immigration, so ask which attorney focuses on your type of family case
- Most of the website is in Spanish; English speakers may want to call rather than rely on the site
- Phones are staffed around the clock, but the firm notes that attorney appointments depend on availability, and a repeat client advised patience because answers are not always immediate
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: The highest Google rating and review count of the three, and a strong fit for Spanish-speaking families with overlapping legal problems.
📍 1330 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
The Sands Law Group, APLC
Family law matters handled
- Divorce
- High-net-worth divorce
- Divorce mediation
- Military divorce
- Same-sex divorce
- Child custody
- Parenting plans
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Property division
- Fathers’ rights
- Prenuptial agreements
- Guardianship
The Sands Law Group, APLC is a divorce and family law firm led by founding attorney Thomas Sands, with its Los Angeles office on South Broadway in Downtown LA, a short walk from the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, and other offices across California. The firm handles contested and uncontested divorce, high-net-worth, military and same-sex divorce, mediation, custody and parenting plans, support, property division, prenuptial agreements and guardianship, and it also takes some civil, employment and misdemeanor matters. It publishes service in English, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish and French, offers in-office, phone or video consultations, and describes flexible fee structures. The firm lists recognitions including 2026 Law Firm of the Year.
What clients praise
- Reviewers name Thomas Sands, William Linares, Gregory and Edward for guiding them through custody and domestic violence matters from the first day
- One client credits careful preparation and clear organization of the facts for a favorable ruling and a countersuit that recovered most legal costs
- Clients say the team traveled to represent them outside LA, including Orange County, and explained legal jargon in plain terms
Worth knowing
- One reviewer found the firm’s free online divorce webinar to be a one-way recording with no Q&A and had trouble replaying it
- The Google listing shows a different phone number from the firm’s website; this page uses the website number
- The firm also handles civil, employment and criminal matters across several offices, so ask which attorney in the Los Angeles office will run your case
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: The widest published language support of the three, plus guardianship and mediation, a block from the downtown courthouse.
📍 205 S Broadway Suite 608, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Guide
How family law works in Los Angeles
Residency before divorce
Under Family Code 2320, one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in the filing county for three months before a divorce judgment can be entered. If you just moved, a legal separation can be filed first.
Mandatory waiting period
A California divorce cannot become final until six months after the other spouse is served or appears in the case (Family Code 2339), even when both spouses agree on everything.
Time to respond
A spouse who is served with a petition generally has 30 days to file a response. Missing that window can let the case move forward without your input.
Financial disclosures
Each spouse must serve a preliminary declaration of disclosure covering income, assets and debts, with the petition or response or within 60 days of filing it (Family Code 2104).
Custody mediation first
When custody or parenting time is contested in LA County, parents generally meet with a mediator through the court’s Family Court Services before a judge decides. Mediation covers custody and parenting time, not support.
Community property
California is a community property state, so property acquired during the marriage is generally divided equally, while separate property such as pre-marriage assets usually stays with its owner.
Before your first meeting
What to bring to a family law consultation
0 of 8 ready
Methodology
How we chose these firms
We looked for Los Angeles firms with a physical office in the city, family law as a published practice area, a public Google Business Profile with a track record of client reviews, and clear information about how a first meeting works. We read each firm’s own website for practice areas, languages, consultations and office details, and read recent Google reviews for recurring praise and complaints.
Land Legal Group appears first. The order is for presentation and is not an independently measured ranking. Google ratings and review counts were checked on November 4, 2026 and change over time. We do not assign scores.
Ratings, review counts and hours were checked on November 4, 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a family law attorney cost in Los Angeles?
Most Los Angeles family law attorneys bill hourly and ask for a retainer up front, and costs rise sharply when a case is contested or goes to trial. All three firms on this page offer a free first meeting or evaluation, which is the best time to ask about hourly rates, retainers and payment options.
How long does a divorce take in California?
The earliest a California divorce can become final is six months after the other spouse is served or appears in the case. Uncontested cases often finish shortly after that, while contested cases involving custody or complex property can take a year or more.
Do I need a lawyer for a child custody case in Los Angeles?
You are not required to have one, but contested custody cases involve court mediation through Family Court Services, declarations and hearings where preparation matters. A lawyer is especially worth considering if there are safety concerns, a move-away request or DCFS involvement.
Which Los Angeles courthouse will hear my family law case?
Los Angeles County Superior Court hears family law matters at several courthouses, including Stanley Mosk downtown, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, Torrance and Long Beach. The filing location generally depends on where the parties live, so check the court’s filing rules or ask your attorney.
Can I get a free consultation with a Los Angeles family lawyer?
Yes. Land Legal Group publishes a free initial consultation, Progresso Legal Group, P.C. offers a free evaluation, and The Sands Law Group, APLC offers a free case evaluation by phone, video or in person. Ask how long the free meeting lasts and whether it is with an attorney.
What is the residency requirement to file for divorce in Los Angeles?
One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Los Angeles County for three months before a divorce judgment can be entered. A legal separation has no residency requirement and can later be amended to a divorce once residency is met.
Local guide
Los Angeles family court local guide
Which LA County Superior Court courthouses sit closest to each firm’s office. Your case is heard where it is filed, not where your lawyer’s office is.
What is near each firm
Land Legal Group
Century City
NEAREST LA SUPERIOR COURT COURTHOUSES
- Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main St, Santa Monica5.4 mi - Van Nuys Courthouse East
6230 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys8.7 mi
Progresso Legal Group
Pico-Union / near Downtown
NEAREST LA SUPERIOR COURT COURTHOUSES
- Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N Hill St, Los Angeles1.5 mi - Pasadena Courthouse
300 E Walnut St, Pasadena10.1 mi
The Sands Law Group
Downtown LA
NEAREST LA SUPERIOR COURT COURTHOUSES
- Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N Hill St, Los Angeles0.2 mi - Pasadena Courthouse
300 E Walnut St, Pasadena8.9 mi
Distances are straight-line estimates. Courthouse hours are from Google and can change; check the court’s site before you go.
LA County courthouses that hear family law
Tips for an LA family law case
- Disclose everything early. Incomplete financial disclosures are a common reason cases stall or get reopened later.
- Do not move money or change beneficiaries. Automatic restraining orders on the divorce summons bar transferring property and changing insurance once the case is served.
- Keep a parenting log. Notes on exchanges, missed visits and school issues help in mediation and at hearings.
- Prepare for Family Court Services. Custody mediation often shapes the outcome, so go in with a proposed schedule focused on the children.
- Ask who does the work. At the first meeting, ask which attorney and which staff will handle your case day to day.
- Get fees in writing. Confirm the hourly rate, retainer and billing increments before you sign.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. The order of firms is for presentation and is not an independently measured ranking. Ratings, review counts, hours and phone numbers were checked on November 4, 2026 and can change. Talk with a licensed California attorney about your situation.