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PRACTICES / LOS ANGELES DIVORCE / SANTA MONICA
SANTA MONICA · SPODEK LAW GROUP P.C. · LOS ANGELES

Santa Monica divorce lawyers fluent in RSUs and startup equity.

Stock that hasn't vested yet, options in a startup that could be worth everything or nothing, and a mortgage priced for two tech salaries. Santa Monica divorces need lawyers who can divide compensation that isn't cash yet.

RISK FREE · CONFIDENTIAL · 24/7 · 611 S CATALINA ST, LOS ANGELES

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★★★★★1,100+ FIVE-STAR GOOGLE REVIEWS
SUPER LAWYERS · 2020-25SECOND GENERATION · SINCE 1976
NETFLIX · CNN · FOX NEWS · NY POST · NEWSWEEK
DIVORCE IN SANTA MONICA · THE WESTSIDE

Tech and media companies fill the office space from the beach to 26th Street, and the people who work there get paid in salary, RSUs, options, and bonuses tied to vesting schedules. When a Santa Monica marriage ends, the hardest question is usually how to divide compensation that was granted during the marriage but pays out long after the separation date.

We handle those questions constantly. Chad Lewin, our LA of-counsel, brings 23+ years in California courtrooms, and the firm behind him has been family-run since 1976. Consultations happen by phone or video through our online portal, or in person if you prefer, and the first one is free and completely risk-free.

California divorce runs on the same rules wherever you live: no-fault grounds, the 6-month residency requirement, community property division, and a waiting period of 6 months and 1 day from service before your marital status ends. What changes with your address is the courthouse, the judges, and the local procedures - and that is exactly what we handle for you. When you reach out, you start with a risk-free consultation, and you can ask us anything you want.

The cases we see in Santa Monica.

FROM THE FILE
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Splitting RSUs that vest after separation

Restricted stock granted during the marriage is partly community property even when it vests years later, and California courts use time-based formulas to apportion it. We map every grant against the marriage timeline so you receive your full share, and no more than your share leaves with your spouse.

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Startup equity nobody can price yet

Options in a private company might be worthless or life-changing, and settling a divorce means dealing with that uncertainty honestly. We negotiate structures, from buyouts to if-and-when division, that protect you whichever way the company goes, instead of guessing at a valuation and hoping.

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Custody when one parent may relocate

Tech careers move people, and a parenting plan has to anticipate the offer from Austin or Seattle before it arrives. We negotiate custody orders with relocation terms addressed up front, because the automatic restraining orders on the summons already limit taking children out of state mid-case.

GOOGLE REVIEWS · §46

1,100+ five-star reviews from real clients.

Divorce clients cite responsiveness, custody results, and senior-partner involvement - not generic law-firm praise.

★★★★★
5.0
GOOGLE · 1,100+ REVIEWS
48+
YEARS · MATRIMONIAL
DIVORCE · GOOGLE ★★★★★

“She did a great job representing me during my divorce. She was professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the process. She stayed on task of getting the negotiations completed.”

Verified client
CUSTODY · GOOGLE ★★★★★

“I came to Spodek when everyone told me I had no chance of getting custody. Not only did they prove everyone wrong, but they secured full custody and a favorable financial settlement.”

Verified client
TEAM · GOOGLE ★★★★★

“Todd Spodek, Alex Zhik and the rest of their team are excellent and respectful. They always get back to you very quickly and took care of me as if I was their own family.”

Verified client
CONTESTED · GOOGLE ★★★★★

“Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts were instrumental in securing a victorious outcome in what was an incredibly challenging case. I am truly grateful for their exceptional service.”

Alex Zhik client
RESPONSIVE · GOOGLE ★★★★★

“Todd personally handled my case and was available 24/7 during critical moments. Their strategic approach, thorough preparation, and courtroom presence were impressive.”

Verified client
CONSULTATION · GOOGLE ★★★★★

“By the time our free consultation was over, we left at ease. All our questions were answered and we had a sense of relief. Todd changed our lives.”

Verified client
SUPER LAWYERS · AVVO SUPERB · CLIENT’S CHOICE
FAQ

Questions we hear - ask us anything.

Which courthouse will my Santa Monica divorce be filed in?

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In most cases the Santa Monica Courthouse, 1725 Main St, a few minutes from anywhere in the city. Family law filings are generally assigned by ZIP code across the Westside, so we double-check that your address belongs there before your case is opened.

How are unvested RSUs handled in divorce?

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Grants made during the marriage are typically part community and part separate, apportioned by formulas that compare time married against the vesting schedule. The details matter enormously, since a grant date a few months either side of separation can shift real money. We collect every grant agreement and run the numbers ourselves rather than accepting your spouse's spreadsheet.

How long does a Santa Monica divorce take?

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Your marital status cannot end sooner than six months and one day after your spouse is served, per Family Code §2339, and that is the floor rather than the average. Cooperative couples can have every term settled within that window, while disputes over equity valuations or custody stretch cases past a year. We keep yours moving.

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212 300 5196
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611 S Catalina St #222

Los Angeles, CA 90005 - Wilshire Center. By appointment; video consultations available anywhere in California.

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