San Diego Divorce Consulting Attorney
Your own legal advice. A clearer path to agreement.
Bring the proposal, support calculation or agreement you need help understanding. Scott advises you individually in a separate, limited-scope engagement, so you can decide what to accept, what to question and what to do next.
Individual legal work is billed hourly · Free consultation to discuss fit
2024–2027
“Even though he was hired to take my side, he never made the process feel like a zero sum game.” Ryan A. · Consulting attorney client
Review excerpt describes one client’s experience. Results vary.
In a consulting-attorney engagement, I advise one spouse on specific divorce decisions within a limited scope. I do not take over the case or appear in court for that client. As your consulting attorney, I work with you one-on-one. We look at the actual proposal, calculation or question you are facing, so you can decide what to accept, what to question and what to do next.
Know where you stand
Understand your rights, the options available to you and the questions worth resolving before you agree.
Check the numbers
Examine the income, property and financial assumptions behind a proposal with an attorney who is also a CDFA®.
Keep talks productive
Prepare a response that addresses your concerns while keeping a negotiated resolution within reach.
What clients say
Advice from someone on your side
★★★★★
“Getting his input was probably the best decision I made in the mediation process.”
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I contacted Scott after being reading positive online reviews, and I’m very glad I did. I asked him for a second opinion on family law matters and I got back very knowledgable and insightful advice. Getting his input was probably the best decision I made in the mediation process. I appreciated how responsive he was to emails and setting up calls, even when the weekend was coming up.
I could tell that he truly cared about his work, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use his services again in the future.
★★★★★
“He had a smart approach and clearly explained the legal process.”
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Mr. Scott Levin was friendly and supportive during my contested divorce. He had a smart approach and clearly explained the legal process. Mr. Scott communicated openly and kept me updated throughout. When I faced challenges with my ex, he always had a solution. I truly appreciate his expertise and the way he stood up for my interests. Thank you, Mr. Scott, for going above and beyond to achieve the best outcome.
★★★★★
“He worked through the numbers, and coordinated the options for settlement.”
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Scott helped organize the daunting financial information associated with a divorce. He worked through the numbers, and coordinated the options for settlement. He was helpful in bringing the different pieces together and putting the proposed terms into a format that was easier to review. Have your financial records, and supporting information organized, a clear understanding of what you want the outcome to look like, then allow Scott to work his magic.
Reviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every family’s situation is different, and results vary.
Get advice on the decision in front of you
A free consultation is a chance to explain your situation and learn whether individual consulting is the right next step.
Why work with Scott
I understand the law, the numbers and the mediation room.
I am a California family law attorney, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and a Certified Mediator through Mediate.com. I began my legal career in litigation, later focused on family-law litigation, and ultimately stepped away from adversarial practice to focus on mediation. As a California attorney since 2004 who has conducted more than 2,500 mediations, I have worked through the financial and parenting decisions that can make a settlement difficult.
That experience shapes how I advise you. I can explain a legal concern, look at the financial assumptions behind it and help you decide how to bring it back into a negotiation. You get a candid assessment of your position and a practical next step.
One consulting engagement
He stayed in mediation. He returned better prepared.
A client working with another mediator was facing a request for $4,500 a month in support and a proposal that gave him 25% of the parenting time. He wanted an independent assessment without abandoning mediation.
We identified errors in the support calculation and prepared a parenting proposal. He took that work back to his mediator. He and his spouse ultimately agreed to equal parenting time and no monthly child or spousal support.
Read the consulting attorney case study →
This describes one matter, not a typical or promised result. Identifying details were changed in the published case study to protect privacy.
Already working with a mediator?
You can keep working with your existing mediator while getting your own legal advice, subject to a conflict check.
You can get advice at any stage
Before you start. During mediation. Before you sign.
Before you start
Understand your options first.
You do not need to file for divorce before calling. We can discuss the California process, your financial and parenting concerns, and the choices in front of you.
If you are considering moving out, separating accounts or agreeing to a temporary schedule, bring that question before you act.
During mediation
Have someone advising you.
Your mediator helps both spouses. I advise you individually: preparing for a session, evaluating a proposal and deciding how to raise concerns.
You can keep working with your existing mediator while getting your own legal advice.
Before you sign
Understand the agreement.
We can review a proposed marital settlement agreement, check its financial assumptions and compare its terms with what you thought you agreed to.
I explain concerns and help you prepare questions or proposed changes to take back to the table.
Mediated agreement review
Review a Mediated Agreement Before You Sign
When your mediation is handled outside our firm, you can ask me to review your proposed marital settlement agreement before signing, subject to a conflict check. I check the financial assumptions, compare the written terms with what you understood you agreed to and explain what the agreement will mean for you.
What the review covers
- Whether the written terms match what you agreed to in mediation
- The support calculation and the income behind it
- Property, retirement and stock-compensation terms, including timing and taxes
- Parenting provisions, if the agreement includes them
- Missing terms, unclear wording and issues left for later
A limited role, and candid advice
My consulting-attorney service is limited to advising you and reviewing a proposed agreement. I do not represent you in court through this service. That role clarity allows me to identify concerns, explain risks and recommend changes without automatically turning the review into litigation representation.
The goal is informed decision-making: preserving a workable agreement when it protects your interests, and telling you plainly when a proposal should be changed or rejected.
Bring the draft agreement, any support calculation and the financial disclosures, and tell us if a signing date or mediation session is coming up. If your main question is the numbers, such as a house buyout, retirement trade or equity compensation, see settlement review with Scott as your CDFA®.
Have a signing date coming up?
Tell us when you call. Start with the decision you are facing, even if the agreement is nearly finished.
Work through the actual decision
A proposal can sound reasonable and still need a closer look.
You can ask me to consider the whole agreement or focus on one issue. These are examples of the questions we can work through together.
What went into this support number?
We can examine the income, parenting time and other assumptions used in a calculation, including bonuses or stock compensation. Then we can discuss how a proposal addresses changes in income and what the payment means for your budget.
Does this buyout or property split work for me?
We can look beyond the headline amount to the equity calculation, loans, other assets and payment timing. If you are keeping the house, we can examine the proposed obligations and questions to resolve about financing and releasing the other spouse from the loan.
What am I receiving, and when?
A retirement benefit, cash payment and stock award can have different timing, risks and tax consequences. We can review how the proposal handles these assets, what information is missing and which details need specialist follow-through.
Will this schedule work in everyday life?
We can review parenting time, holidays, exchanges and decision-making provisions, then identify unclear terms or practical problems. If you need a different proposal, I can help you prepare one that explains your concerns and addresses your child’s needs.
Sometimes a number needs correcting or a term needs clearer wording. Sometimes the proposal already does what you intend. Either way, you should understand it before signing.
If your main concern is understanding the numbers—such as a house buyout, retirement trade or support proposal—explore Divorce Financial Consulting (CDFA®).
Start with the question you need answered.
Consulting is billed by the hour. We agree on the work you need, rather than taking over your entire divorce. You can begin with a focused issue and return as new questions arise.
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Check the fit
Tell us where things stand. We check for conflicts and whether individual consulting fits your needs.
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Define the work
We agree on the questions or documents to address and clarify what remains your responsibility.
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Review what matters
Send the relevant proposal, financial information, calculation or draft agreement.
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Decide your next step
Meet one-on-one to discuss the findings, options and questions to take back into the process.
California Courts explains limited-scope legal help. Your engagement with Scott defines the specific advice and review he will provide.
Questions about individual consulting
Do I need to file for divorce before calling?
No. You can get advice before filing, choosing a process or making an initial proposal. Tell us what decision is in front of you.
Can I consult Scott if we already have a mediator?
Yes, subject to a conflict check. I can advise you individually while you continue working with a different mediator. I cannot be your consulting attorney if I or my firm have mediated your case.
Can you review just one calculation or part of an agreement?
Yes. We can focus on a specific question, calculation or provision. I will explain what other information I need and whether the issue affects another part of the settlement.
What does limited-scope advice mean?
We agree on the specific work I will do for you. You remain responsible for matters outside that scope, including deadlines and steps we have not agreed I will handle. The engagement defines those responsibilities.
Will you take over my case or represent me in court?
This service focuses on advice, settlement review and preparation for negotiation. It does not include taking over your case or representing you in court. If you need litigation representation, you will need litigation counsel.
Can we meet by Zoom?
Yes. I advise clients throughout California by Zoom. In-person meetings are also available in San Diego.
Prefer to send us a message?
Tell us briefly where you are in the process and what you need help deciding.
You do not need every answer before you call.
Whether you are at the beginning or reviewing a nearly finished agreement, start with the decision you are facing. A free consultation is a chance to explain your situation and learn whether individual consulting is the right next step.