California Divorce and Family Law Attorneys
Strategic Representation in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego
Complex and Contested Family Law Matters in Orange County, Los Angeles or San Diego
Complex and contested divorce and family law disputes require more than negotiated settlements and routine filings. When significant assets, business interests, or parental rights are at stake, litigation strategy and courtroom experience matters.
Those skills and experiences also serve as an effective deterrent to litigation if there is a risk the other side will become unreasonable. Consider this - how much less likely is the other side to be unreasonable if they know your attorney has significant litigation and courtroom experience? The answer is obvious and our experience representing clients in contested and complex family law proceedings has shown us we can often resolve cases without extensive litigation but if there is that litigation, you and us will be ready.
Knowing How to Deal with High Conflict Personalities
You cannot approach a family law case where the other spouse or parent has a high conflict personality in a cookie-cutter manner. That is often a recipe of failure. High conflict personalities, including those that show narcissistic traits or worse, use threats, harassment, and intimidation as a tactic and often try to wear everyone down through the wars of attrition. They rarely tell the whole truth and it is common to see such types lie about their income and fail to disclose assets or use children as leverage.
Our family law firm is experienced with dealing with these high conflict personality types. And our approach to those cases, including settlement negotiations, discovery, disclosures and the path toward resolution or litigation, strategically differs as a result. The same is true when the other spouse or parent is an addict or alcoholic with an ongoing substance abuse issue or has a history of other addictions such as gambling or sex addiction. These are not issues that can be ignored and they affect the overall strategy to the case.
High-Conflict Child Custody Litigation
Custody disputes involving allegations of abuse or parental unfitness, move-away requests, interference with visitation, or requests for emergency orders demand careful preparation. Our firm handles contested custody hearings, move-away cases, matters involving custody evaluations, and trial proceedings where parenting rights are at risk. These cases often require disciplined evidence development, credibility analysis, and effective courtroom presentation.
Child Support and Spousal Support
Support orders can shape a client's financial reality for years. In contested matters, outcomes often turn on income evidence, vocational capacity, expense analysis, and credibility. Farzad & Ochoa represents clients in child support and spousal support proceedings throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego, with a focus on strategic case development and courtroom advocacy when agreement is not possible.
California child support is guideline-based, but disputes frequently arise over what income should be included and how it should be calculated. High-income cases, self-employment, business income, bonuses, commissions, stocks, and options can create substantial disagreement about available income and appropriate add-ons. We also handle contested support hearings involving imputation of income, requests for deviations, enforcement, and related proceedings when orders are not followed.
California spousal support can involve both temporary orders early in the case and longer-term support after judgment. Litigation commonly focuses on income determination, earning capacity, standard of living, and whether support should be stepped down or terminated over time. We represent clients in contested spousal support hearings, requests for modification based on changed circumstances, and proceedings where accurate financial disclosures, lifestyle evidence, and expert analysis are critical.
Business Ownership, Division, and Buyouts
Cases involving closely held businesses, professional practices, or partnership interests require experienced financial analysis and disciplined preparation. Whether you operate the business, your spouse does, or you both do, valuation and division of the business can materially affect the outcome of the case. We work with forensic accountants and financial experts when appropriate to support accurate valuation, trace funds, and develop evidence relevant to division or buyout disputes. We focus on practical strategy and thorough preparation to help clients avoid unreasonable financial resolutions.
Domestic Violence and Emergency Court Orders
Requests for restraining orders and emergency custody orders move quickly and can have immediate and long-term impact on parents and children. Whether seeking protection or responding to allegations that are not supported by the evidence, proper legal action and careful case presentation are essential. We represent clients in domestic violence restraining order proceedings and related custody disputes, including urgent requests for temporary orders when circumstances require swift court intervention.
Complex Property Division
California community property law becomes complicated when assets are commingled, businesses are formed during marriage, or significant separate property claims are involved. Stocks and options, professional practices, real estate portfolios, and investment accounts may require valuation and tracing. These disputes frequently involve separate property characterization issues and analysis of commingled funds. We resolve or litigate financial issues that materially affect long-term outcomes.
Post-Judgment Enforcement and Modifications
Court orders are only effective if enforced. When a party violates custody orders, fails to pay support, or seeks modification of existing terms, further litigation may be necessary. Even when orders are being followed, substantial changes in circumstances often lead to modification requests, commonly involving custody and support. We represent clients in post-judgment proceedings, whether bringing requests on behalf of a client or opposing modification efforts that lack merit or overreach.
A Disciplined Approach to Litigation
Contested family law cases require preparation, strategic analysis, and courtroom experience. Our firm approaches each matter with disciplined case development and clear litigation strategy, tailored to the facts, the financial issues, and the custody dynamics involved. Clients facing complex disputes should expect thorough preparation and practical strategic guidance at every stage of the case.
We Care About Every Family Law Client We Represent
We only take on those family law cases where we believe the person asking us for representation is a good person with the right intentions, will be actively engaged in the process, and wants a result consistent with the facts and the law.
We are not a mill. Nobody becomes a client just because they can afford us. So we interview you as much as you interview us.
But if we are a good fit for each other and you become a client, you will see representation far beyond the ordinary.
B. Robert Farzad Manages our Costa Mesa Family Law Office
He was the 2023 Chair of the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section, where he led the bar association's efforts to collaborate with the Orange County Superior Court's Family Law Division to successfully improve access to and administration of justice for spouses and parents who find themselves in family court.
In 2024, he was appointed Chair of the Orange County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee.
He taught the subject of family law at University of California, Irvine, School of Law.
Mr. Farzad has been a regular speaker, presenter and author on divorce and family law topics.
He was asked to co-author the Continuing Education for the Bar's (CEB) first dedicated chapter on domestic violence restraining orders, which he accepted and completed.
Mr. Farzad handles every divorce and family law case with a fact-focused strategy.
Unlike so many other family law lawyers, Mr. Farzad does not waste time and money when he handles cases. He is not adversarial for the sake of being adversarial. He is kind and compassionate with his clients, not rude and dismissive.
His experience inside and outside a courtroom allows him to resolve cases that can be resolved amicably and, without hesitation, take those that cannot be resolved to hearing or trial.
Mr. Farzad balances community service, non-profit work, pro bono work, and teaching with managing a family law firm he and his partner, Yvette Ochoa, have built together.
B. Robert Farzad and his team are proud to provide exceptional representation to good and honest people.
Yvette Ochoa Manages our Los Angeles Family Law Office
Ms. Ochoa is highly intelligent and an experienced family law litigator. Her style of representation is logical, calm, kind, and respectful.
She does not tolerate nonsense from other lawyers who attempt to cause financial harm to her clients or act contrary to a child's best interest.
When faced with an adversarial other party or lawyer, she patiently explains to her clients the available options and does not back down from litigation and taking the matter to court.
Her winning strategies and tactical representation of her clients have earned her the respect she receives from her clients and colleagues.
Our Family Law Team Share a Common, Client-Focused Vision
Each of our attorneys and staff in our Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, and San Diego offices work closely together to provide high-quality representation for every family law client we represent. That is exactly why our clients praise our representation in their testimonials, and our firm has an excellent reputation in the family law community.
Read Reviews Written by Clients About Our Family Law Attorneys
The reviews you read were written by real clients we represented, not by our friends, family, or those we paid to write fake reviews. So many lawyers today have a long list of fake reviews intended to fool potential clients, and sadly, many fall for them. It is not a coincidence that those same attorneys have some of the worst actual reputations in the family law community.
With us, everything is real and honest.
Reviews and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, prediction, or assurance regarding the results you may obtain, and every case depends on its own facts. But they do show what quality representation brings.
Your choice of advocate matters.
To read more reviews, visit our Client Review page.
Memberships and Certifications
The following are memberships or associations to which different family law attorneys at our firm may belong. Not every attorney at the firm is a member of or associated with the following groups or holds the following certifications. To learn more, please visit each attorney's profile page.
All of our family law attorneys are licensed in the State of California and members of the State Bar of California.
The Best California Family Law Guides and Articles
Our California family law website is filled with informative guides, articles, and videos. Few, if any, other law firms have taken the time and care to educate men and women on their legal options. Other California family law attorneys have told us they use our website to learn more about family law and help their own clients.
We give you the power of knowledge here.
And when you speak with us, we take that to an even higher level.
Here is a good starting point to become more educated about the California divorce or parentage process, before or after judgment. Click on each link below to visit the page.