Moraga · Divorce Guide
A Moraga divorce is filed in Contra Costa County and heard at the family law building in Martinez, not in town, and one of you must have lived in the county for three months before it can start. We compared three divorce attorneys in Moraga on State Bar of California licence records, the case types each firm actually lists, published fee and deposit terms, and verified Google reviews, and set out who each one suits and where each falls short.
DJA Editorial · Legal Directory Research
Checked against state bar licensee records, court sources and public review platforms · Last updated September 2026
The short answer
Three firms, each better placed for a different kind of Moraga divorce. This is a shortlist rather than a ranking, and only one of the three has its office in Moraga.
1
Law Offices of David M. Lederman
Best for a divorce involving a business, equity pay or retirement assets
2
Modern Family Law
Best for keeping the upfront deposit low and estimating support first
3
Hyden Zakheim, LLP
Best for a divorce that overlaps with immigration or estate issues
At a glance: Divorce Attorneys in Moraga, compared
| Firm |
Best for |
Office |
Bar record |
Fees |
Rating |
| Law Offices of David M. Lederman |
Best for a divorce involving a business, equity pay or retirement assets |
533 Moraga Rd, Moraga |
David Lederman, CA #177960, admitted 1995 |
Not published |
5.0
8
google reviews |
| Modern Family Law |
Best for keeping the upfront deposit low and estimating support first |
1111 Broadway, Oakland |
Lulu Tseng, CA #328935, Active |
Deposit $2,500 to $5,000, free consultation |
4.7 · 332 Google |
| Hyden Zakheim, LLP |
Best for a divorce that overlaps with immigration or estate issues |
2333 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon |
Timothy Hyden, CA #124733 |
Hourly, $425 to $545 for attorneys |
4.5
7 Google reviews |
Divorce in Moraga: the local picture
$425 to $545 an hour
What representation costs here
Contested divorce in this area is billed hourly. Hyden Zakheim is the only firm below that posts its rates: $545 for partners, $425 for associates, $250 for paralegals. Modern Family Law publishes a $2,500 to $5,000 deposit held as security. Lederman publishes neither, so ask for both figures in writing.
6 months
The clock that decides when you can start and finish
One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Contra Costa County for three before filing here. Once the other spouse is served, the divorce cannot become final for at least six months, even if everything is agreed. Moving into Moraga recently can mean filing in your old county or waiting.
$435, or $0
Where you may not need a firm at all
The first filing fee is $435 per side. It is waived for anyone on Medi-Cal, CalFresh or SSI, or earning at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, using form FW-001. The Contra Costa Family Law Facilitator, attorneys who help self-represented spouses at no charge, works from the Spinetta Family Law Building at 751 Pine Street, Martinez.
What clients in Moraga say: Across the three Google listings, reviewers credit the person who stayed with the case far more than the firm name: Sharmeela Kawos at Lederman, Simona Zakheim at Hyden Zakheim, and several named Oakland team members at Modern Family Law. The complaints share a thread as well. At each firm at least one reviewer describes the case changing hands, a junior attorney appearing unannounced, a run of different attorneys, or a case that ran longer and cost more than planned. Continuity is the question to ask first, and only one of the three review bases is large enough to read as a pattern.
How we chose these Divorce Attorneys in Moraga
We looked at firms handling divorce for Moraga residents, then compared them on things you can check yourself: the State Bar of California licence record for the named attorneys, the case types each firm lists rather than the ones it advertises, whether it publishes rates or deposit terms, where its office sits relative to the Contra Costa family court, and the visible client reviews on Google.
The three are a shortlist, not a ranking, and each is better placed for a different situation. Firm details come from each firm’s own site, cross checked against Google Business Profile listings, State Bar licensee records and public court sources. Anything we could not confirm during this update is flagged on the page rather than filled in, and figures a firm publishes about itself, such as case counts, are labelled as the firm’s own.
1. Law Offices of David M. Lederman
Best for a divorce involving a business, equity pay or retirement assets
The only firm on this list with its office on Moraga Road. Managing partner David M. Lederman states he is certified in family law by the State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, and the firm carries separate pages for business owners, high net worth cases, retirement division and same sex couples. For anyone comparing Experienced divorce attorneys in Moraga because the marriage involves a company, stock options or a pension, this is the practice here organised around that work.
Identity and footprint
Office533 Moraga Rd, Unit 220, Moraga, CA 94556
Phone(925) 522-8889
HoursMonday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Google)
Managing partnerDavid M. Lederman
Other attorneysSharmeela Kawos (partner), Meredith Hays, Tabasum Kawos, Naila Khan, and Ileana Aranda as a provisionally licensed lawyer
Other officeThe attorney bio also names an Antioch office; the site footer lists Moraga only
LanguagesEnglish and Mandarin Chinese (David Lederman)
Remote meetingsOffers consultations and case meetings by video
Practice and scope
Core workFamily law only
Divorce sub pagesBusiness owners and professionals, high net worth, same sex couples, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Property workSeparate pages for complex property division, retirement asset division and debt division for entrepreneurs
ChildrenCustody and visitation, emergency custody orders, Hague Convention and interstate or international custody, paternity, child support
After judgmentModifications and enforcement, protective orders
RepresentationStates it offers both limited scope and full representation
Firm claimsStates more than 1,500 family law cases handled and Bay Area practice since 1997. These are the firm’s own figures. (divorce page)
Credentials and licensing
David LedermanState Bar of California #177960, licence Active, admitted 1 December 1995, no discipline shown on the record
Name on recordThe State Bar lists him as David Marc Lederman
Family law certificationThe firm states he holds State Bar certification in family law
Sharmeela KawosCA #305459, Active, admitted 2015
Meredith HaysCA #326760, Active, admitted 2019
Tabasum KawosCA #342015, Active, admitted 2021
EducationJD, McGeorge School of Law, 1995; BA, UC Santa Cruz, 1989
Bar serviceTwo terms as president of the Contra Costa Family Law Section, and a chair of the State Bar Family Law Section, per his bio
Fees and consultation
ConsultationBooks calls through the site; the site does not say whether the first call is free
Limited scopeOffered, which can cap cost if you only need help with one issue
What clients say
✓ Partner Sharmeela Kawos named
✓ Custody client kept informed
✓ Clear prenup process
✗ One account of a surprise stand in and billing dispute
· Only 8 Google reviews
Reviewers describe calm, direct advice, and one names Sharmeela Kawos and staff member Trish for turning a difficult case around. A father credits the team with keeping him informed through a custody case. Against that, one detailed review says a junior attorney the client had not met appeared at a hearing without notice and disputes billed correspondence. It is one account on a small base, but the subject is worth raising.
Synthesized from publicly visible snippets: Google
Why they fit Moraga: The clear fit when the divorce turns on valuing a business, equity compensation or retirement accounts, and the only firm here physically in Moraga, working in the Contra Costa court where Lederman’s bio says he led the local family law section. The caveat is transparency: no rate or retainer figure is published, the Google listing holds only eight reviews, and one describes an unannounced stand in at a hearing. Ask who will appear for you and how emails and calls are billed.
2. Modern Family Law
Best for keeping the upfront deposit low and estimating support first
★★★★½ 4.7 / 5 · Google · 332 reviews
The largest operation here and the only one of the three that publishes its deposit range. Modern Family Law runs offices in five states, and its Oakland team, led by managing attorney Lulu Tseng, holds a $2,500 to $5,000 deposit as security rather than drawing it down, with a reduced or no retainer option for clients who qualify after a soft credit check. Its free California child support calculator lets you estimate guideline support before the first call, useful when support is the question driving the case.
Identity and footprint
Nearest office1111 Broadway, Suite 1550, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone(510) 633-8286 for Oakland; (866) 409-3025 main line HoursOffice Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, phones answered around the clock
Oakland attorneysLulu Tseng (managing), Josie Zimmerman, Sarah Bounar, Colleen Karp, Hamza Atai
Service area statedAlameda County, naming Berkeley, Alameda, Hayward, San Leandro and Fremont. Moraga and Contra Costa are not listed.
Other officesSan Jose in California, plus Colorado, Texas, Washington and Georgia
Practice and scope
Core workFamily law only: divorce, custody, child and spousal support
Custody approachFrames custody as parenting time and decision making
ToolsFree California calculators for child support, spousal support, attorney fees, assets and debts, and parenting time
Oakland page topicsDivorce, child custody, child and spousal support, protection orders, adoption and mediation
Approach statedPositions itself as low conflict and technology driven to reduce fees
Credentials and licensing
Lulu TsengListed by the State Bar as Ling-Ching Tseng, #328935, licence Active, at the Oakland office address
EducationJD, Golden Gate University School of Law; BA in Global Studies, UC Riverside
BackgroundAuthorised domestic violence counsellor, with prior work at Family Violence Law Center and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach
RecognitionThe Oakland page displays a Best of Oakland 2025 badge. This is the firm’s own presentation.
Fees and consultation
StructureHourly, billed against a deposit held as security (fees page)
DepositTypically $2,500 to $5,000, returned at the end less any unpaid balance
SimpleStartReduced or no retainer for qualifying clients, decided by a soft credit check that does not affect your score
ConsultationFree, per the firm’s site
What clients say
✓ Largest review base here
✓ Trial preparation praised
✓ Honest about weak points
✗ One account of several attorney changes
· Named attorneys vary from the office page
The recent reviews are specific: one client describes Angel Gonzalez preparing witnesses for trial, two praise Sarah Bounar for being straightforward about their position, and several credit Christina Leung with a settlement. One reviewer also describes cycling through several attorneys before Christina took over. Some names in the reviews do not appear on the current Oakland attorney page, so confirm who is still on the team.
Synthesized from publicly visible snippets: Google
Why they fit Moraga: The strongest option if the upfront deposit is what stands between you and a lawyer, with by far the deepest review record of the three and published deposit terms. The caveat is geography: the Oakland office lists Alameda County cities as its area, not Moraga or Contra Costa, so your case would be heard in Martinez by a team based in downtown Oakland. Ask who will handle your case from filing to judgment, and whether they appear regularly in Contra Costa.
3. Hyden Zakheim, LLP
Best for a divorce that overlaps with immigration or estate issues
A San Ramon partnership founded in 1991 and the only firm here that posts its hourly rates: $545 for partners and senior attorneys, $425 for associates, $250 for paralegals. Beyond family law it handles immigration, estate planning and probate under one roof, which matters when a divorce involves a spouse’s visa status or an existing trust. Among the family lawyers in San Ramon, it is one that lists Moraga as a service area, and the rate card lets you budget before the first meeting.
Identity and footprint
Office2333 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 350, San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone(925) 831-0636
HoursMonday to Thursday 9 am to 4 pm, Friday 9 am to 1 pm
Founded1991
Named peoplePartners Timothy Hyden and Simona Zakheim; attorney Andrea Green is also registered at this address; paralegal Jo Ann Maxcy
Address noteSome directories still show an older 18 Crow Canyon Court address
ClientsStates it serves clients from many countries, including India, Mexico, Russia, Brazil and Israel
Practice and scope
Family law pagesDivorce, legal separation, custody, child and spousal support, high asset divorce, asset and debt division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, domestic violence
Parenting coordinatorLists parenting coordinator work, the only firm here to do so
MediationOffers private mediation and prepares clients for court mediation
Other practicesImmigration, estate planning (flat fee), probate and trust administration
Moraga pageCarries a separate Moraga divorce page alongside the San Ramon family law page linked here
Credentials and licensing
Timothy HydenState Bar of California #124733, registered at the firm’s San Ramon address Andrea GreenCA #198958, licence Active, at the firm’s address
EducationHyden: McGeorge School of Law. Zakheim: Loyola University New Orleans.
CertificationThe firm does not claim State Bar certification in family law for any attorney
Fees and consultation
StructureHourly for all family law and litigation, billed monthly against a trust account retainer
RatesPartners and senior attorneys $545, associates $425, senior paralegal $325, paralegals $250, with discounts the firm says it honours
RetainerUnused balance refunded at the end
ConsultationDescribed as an initial discounted consultation, not free
Limited scopeOffered for clients who only need help with part of the case
What clients say
✓ Simona Zakheim sees cases through
✓ Divorce and immigration handled together
✗ One account of a drawn out, costly divorce
✗ One account of a dismissive consultation
· Only 7 Google reviews
The positive reviews centre on Simona Zakheim finishing what she started, with two clients describing divorce and immigration matters handled together alongside paralegal Jo Ann. The negatives are pointed: one former client says the divorce was drawn out and expensive, and another describes a consultation that felt condescending. Seven reviews is too few to call a pattern, so read them individually.
Why they fit Moraga: The right call when the divorce touches a spouse’s immigration status or an existing trust, and the only firm here where you can see the hourly rate before you call. The caveat is the review record: seven mixed Google reviews, including one account of a divorce that ran long and cost more than expected. The office also keeps short hours and closes at 1 pm on Fridays. Ask for a written budget by stage at the first meeting and how often you will be billed.
What to check before hiring a Divorce Attorney in Moraga
✓ Look up the licence yourself, it takes two minutes
The State Bar of California licensee search shows bar number, admission date, current status and any public discipline. Search the individual attorney who will handle your case, not the firm. The State Bar also runs a separate search for attorneys certified in family law, which is the way to confirm that claim.
✓ Confirm you can file in Contra Costa before you pay anyone
One spouse needs six months in California and three in Contra Costa County before filing here. If you moved to Moraga recently, you may need to file in your previous county or wait. A good attorney will check this on the first call.
✓ Get the rate, the retainer and the billing rules in writing
California requires a written fee agreement when fees are expected to exceed $1,000. Ask for each attorney’s hourly rate, the retainer amount, whether unused retainer is refunded, and how short emails and calls are billed, since that is where many family law bills grow.
✓ Ask who will actually appear for you
Reviews for all three firms mention a case changing hands at some point. Ask which attorney is assigned, who covers hearings when they are unavailable, and whether you will be told in advance. At a firm based outside Contra Costa, ask how often they appear in Martinez.
✓ Check whether you qualify for a fee waiver or free court help
If you receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh or SSI, or your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, the $435 filing fee can be waived with form FW-001. The Family Law Facilitator in Martinez helps self-represented spouses with forms at no charge.
Divorce Attorneys in Moraga: frequently asked questions
How much does a divorce attorney cost in Moraga?
Contested divorce is billed by the hour. Of the three firms here, Hyden Zakheim posts $545 an hour for partners and $425 for associates, Modern Family Law publishes a typical deposit of $2,500 to $5,000, and Lederman publishes no figures. Court fees are separate: $435 for each spouse’s first filing unless waived.
Where is a Moraga divorce filed?
In the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. Family law cases are handled at the Spinetta Family Law Building, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, which is also where the Family Law Facilitator’s office sees self-represented spouses by appointment.
How long does a divorce take in California?
At least six months from the date the other spouse is served or first appears, even if you agree on everything. Contested cases involving property, support or custody usually take longer. You can reach a full settlement during the waiting period; the judgment just cannot take effect before it ends.
Can my spouse be ordered to pay my attorney fees?
Sometimes. California courts can order the higher earning spouse to contribute to the other’s fees so both sides have access to representation. Whether that applies depends on the income gap and the case, so raise it at the first consultation if you earn substantially less.
Do I need an attorney for an uncontested divorce?
Not necessarily. If you agree on property, support and custody, the Contra Costa Family Law Facilitator can help you with the forms at no charge, and the filing fee can be waived if you qualify. Many people hire an attorney only to review the final agreement, which the limited scope options at two of these firms allow.
DJA Editorial
Legal Directory Research
Compiles Distinguished Justice Advocates city guides from state bar licensee records, court sources and publicly visible client reviews. Firms appear as a shortlist rather than a ranking. Figures a firm publishes about itself are labelled as such, and anything that could not be verified is flagged on the page rather than estimated.
