Clients ask me for family-law attorney recommendations every week, especially on divorce sales. I'm Brian Cooper, REALTOR(R) at eXp Realty (DRE# 01434286). This directory is my working reference list of Ventura County and Conejo Valley family-law attorneys I've worked alongside, plus vetted slots I update as I confirm new specialists. None of these are paid placements; none of these are endorsements; none of this is legal advice.
Quick Answer
Below are 10 vetted slots for Ventura County and Conejo Valley family-law attorneys, with public contact information where I've verified it. Where I'm still in the process of confirming current practice status, license standing, or real-estate focus, I've marked the slot as 'TO BE COMPLETED — Brian vetting in progress' so readers know the list is being maintained, not abandoned.
Use the directory as a starting point. Pull each attorney's California State Bar record at calbar.ca.gov before you make a call. Confirm fee structure (hourly, flat, retainer) and case-type match before retaining. Family law has subspecialties (high-asset divorce, custody, post-judgment modification, domestic violence) and they don't all overlap.
Why this directory exists
Most real estate referrals to attorneys happen by phone, not in writing. That's fine for a known specialist with a long track record. It's not fine for a client who needs to compare three options. I put this directory on the public site so any client (mine or otherwise) can start from a clean list rather than from a Google search that surfaces ad placements and Avvo profiles.
I'm not a referring attorney service, I'm not compensated for inclusion, and I have no business relationship with any attorney listed below. The purpose is informational only: to give Ventura County families researching divorce a starting point that isn't a paid ad.
What to look for in a family-law attorney for a real-estate-heavy divorce
Most California family-law attorneys can handle the marital home in a divorce. A subset specifically trains on real-estate-heavy estates: multiple properties, Moore-Marsden separate-property analyses, rental income characterization, Duke deferred-sale orders, or CCP 638 referee process. These are the ones I prefer to work alongside on a complex sale.
When you interview, ask: 'How often do you litigate Moore-Marsden allocations?' and 'Do you draft deferred sale orders under Family Code 3800?' and 'How do you handle CCP 638 petitions when one spouse refuses to sign?' An attorney who has handled 5+ of each in the last three years is the profile you want for a property-heavy case.
- Years practicing family law in California
- California State Bar standing (verify at calbar.ca.gov)
- Real-estate-heavy case experience (5+ Moore-Marsden in last 3 years)
- Fee structure: hourly rate, retainer, or flat fee
- Communication cadence and response time
- Familiarity with the specific judge in your courthouse
- Conflict check (have they represented your spouse before)
The 10 vetted slots
Each row below either lists a confirmed practicing attorney with verified public contact details, or is marked TO BE COMPLETED while I confirm the next addition. Bar number verification is the reader's responsibility — use the California State Bar attorney search at apps.calbar.ca.gov before retaining anyone.
| Slot | Name | City | Years | Phone | Website / verification status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Simi Valley | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 2 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Thousand Oaks | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 3 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Westlake Village | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 4 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Camarillo | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 5 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Ventura | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 6 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Oxnard | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 7 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Moorpark | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 8 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Agoura Hills | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 9 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Calabasas | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
| 10 | TO BE COMPLETED — Brian to insert vetted contact | Newbury Park | — | — | Pending — Brian vetting in progress |
Brian is actively vetting attorneys for each city slot. If you want a current verbal recommendation while the public list is finalized, call (805) 723-2498. I'll route you to a specialist I trust for your specific situation.
How to verify any attorney's license
Before retaining any attorney from any source — this directory, a Google search, a friend's recommendation, or an Avvo profile — verify their California State Bar license. The State Bar runs a free public attorney search at apps.calbar.ca.gov.
Search by name or bar number. The record will show current license status, any public disciplinary actions, year admitted, and the address of record. An attorney with 'Active' status, no public discipline, and a clear address-of-record is the minimum bar. Anything else is a conversation to have before the first retainer dollar moves.
- Step 1: Search the attorney's name at apps.calbar.ca.gov.
- Step 2: Confirm 'Active' status and admission year.
- Step 3: Review any public discipline record.
- Step 4: Match the address-of-record with the practice address.
- Step 5: Confirm fee structure and conflict check in writing.
How I use this directory in real listings
When I'm the neutral REALTOR(R) on a divorce sale, I do not recommend a specific attorney to either spouse. I hand them this directory and let each side pick. That keeps me neutral and keeps either spouse from later claiming the other was steered to a friendly attorney.
When I'm referring a client who hasn't filed yet — they're considering separation, or they're trying to decide whether to mediate or litigate — I'll have a verbal conversation about specific attorneys I've worked alongside, with notes on style. That's a referral, not a recommendation, and it's separate from this public list.
Disclaimer
This directory is informational only and does not constitute legal advice, attorney recommendation, endorsement, or any business relationship between Brian Cooper / Brian Cooper Real Estate and the listed (or to-be-listed) attorneys. Brian Cooper is a licensed REALTOR(R) (CA DRE# 01434286), not an attorney. Selection of an attorney is the reader's responsibility.
Inclusion on this list is not solicited and is not compensated. Removal requests by listed attorneys will be honored within 7 business days of written request to brian@cooperfamilyrealestate.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these attorneys paying to be listed?
No. This directory is informational only. Brian Cooper receives no compensation for inclusion, makes no business referrals in exchange for inclusion, and has no financial relationship with listed attorneys.
Does Brian recommend a specific attorney?
Not on neutral-agent divorce listings. To stay neutral, Brian hands both spouses the directory and lets each side pick. Outside a neutral-agent context, Brian will share verbal experience with specific attorneys.
Why are slots marked 'TO BE COMPLETED'?
Brian maintains this list as a working reference. Slots marked TO BE COMPLETED are cities where Brian is still confirming the right attorney for inclusion. Call for a current verbal recommendation while the list is being finalized.
How do I verify an attorney's California license?
Use the State Bar's public attorney search at apps.calbar.ca.gov. Confirm 'Active' status, admission year, and any public discipline. Free and authoritative.
What does a family-law attorney charge in Ventura County?
Hourly rates typically range from $350 to $700 per hour in 2026. Retainers commonly run $5,000 to $25,000 depending on case complexity. Flat-fee divorces (no real property dispute, no custody) sometimes available at $3,500 to $7,500.
Can I represent myself in a Ventura County divorce?
Yes — California permits pro per representation. The Ventura County Superior Court Self-Help Center at the Hall of Justice provides free forms assistance. Pro per is risky on any case with real property, retirement accounts, or business interests.
How do I file for divorce in Ventura County?
File FL-100 (Petition) at the Ventura County Superior Court Family Law Division. Filing fee is $435 to $450 in 2026, with fee waiver available via FW-001 if income-qualifying. Service of FL-110 on the other spouse triggers ATROs under Family Code 2040.
Will Brian represent me as an attorney?
No. Brian Cooper is a licensed REALTOR(R) under California DRE# 01434286, not an attorney. Real estate work only. All legal advice comes from your attorney.
