Dedicated Family Law Lawyer in Sunnyvale, CA
A Sunnyvale Family Law Attorney Who Builds Your Case Early
You need to know how decisions about your children, your property, and your future will be made, and what steps to take right now to protect yourself. Family law cases in Sunnyvale run through the Santa Clara County court system, and the groundwork you lay in the first few weeks can shape the final outcome.
Rebekah Frye can guide you through this process, helping you build a strategy tailored to what local judges look for rather than relying on generic forms.
Reach out to discuss your situation and take the right steps to protect your kids, your assets, and your next chapter.
| Certified Family Law Specialist | AAML Fellow | California Bar Since 1995 | 20+ Years as Santa Clara County Minor’s Counsel |
The Family Law Matters We Handle for Sunnyvale Clients
We represent Sunnyvale clients across the range of family law disputes that move through Santa Clara County courts, from the first filing through the final judgment, whether the case is straightforward or highly contested.
- Divorce and legal separation: dividing property, support, and next steps under California community property law.
- Child custody and parenting plans: decision-making authority and time-sharing arrangements built around the family.
- Child and spousal support: calculating and enforcing support obligations for both parents.
- Domestic violence and restraining orders: protective orders and safety planning, including cases involving coercive control.
- High-asset and complex property division: tracing separate and community property, business interests, and cryptocurrency.
- Custody plans for neurodiverse children: parenting plans built around sensory needs, routines, and therapy schedules across two households.
- Mediation and collaborative divorce: resolving disputes outside of full-scale litigation when it fits the situation.
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What Custody and Property Decisions Can Come Down To
A Santa Clara County judge deciding custody looks at specific factors under California law, not just a parent’s version of events. Under Family Code Section 3011, the court weighs the health and safety of the child, any history of abuse, and how much contact each parent already has with the child, among other factors. The record built before a hearing carries as much weight as what gets said in the courtroom.
Property works differently but is just as exacting. Unless spouses agree otherwise, California requires the community estate to be divided equally under Family Code Section 2550.
Missing or undervaluing an asset now makes things harder later. California courts can still divide an asset that was left out of the judgment, but you usually have to file a new motion to get it, and there are time limits for claims based on fraud or mistake.
Coercive control and financial control often do not look like a single dramatic incident, and courts increasingly recognize that pattern as part of the abuse history the court can consider, based on how California law defines coercive control under Family Code Section 3011.
Documenting it clearly, with dates, records, and specifics, gives a Santa Clara County judge something concrete to weigh, rather than one parent’s word against another’s.
What Happens After You Reach Out
The first conversation is about understanding what you are facing, not filling out paperwork. We ask about your family, your finances, and your priorities, then explain what a Santa Clara County case looks like from there, including a realistic timeline for what comes next.
From there, Rebekah Frye brings a background most family law attorneys do not have. She built her practice after years in corporate law handling mergers and acquisitions, then earned an LL.M. in Taxation, so tracing commingled accounts, valuing a business, or reviewing a stock portfolio is part of how she builds the case, not something handed off to someone else.
For custody matters, her perspective runs deeper. Courts in Santa Clara County have appointed her as Minor’s Counsel, representing children directly in contested cases, for more than two decades, a role judges give only to a small number of attorneys they have worked with directly for years. Cases at the Santa Clara County Family Justice Center Courthouse move on that same standard of preparation, whether the matter is a routine support modification or a complex divorce involving business interests spread across the Bay Area.
FAQs About Sunnyvale, CA Family Laws
What happens at my first consultation?
We review your situation, your goals, and your timeline, and explain what to expect in Santa Clara County family court. You leave with a clear picture of your options, not just a stack of forms.
How long does a divorce or custody case take in Santa Clara County?
Timelines depend on complexity and whether both sides agree on the issues. A straightforward case can resolve in months, while contested custody or high-asset divorces often take longer to reach a final judgment.
Do I need a lawyer for a family law matter in Sunnyvale?
You are not required to have one, but decisions about custody, support, and property are difficult to undo once a judge signs an order. Representation early protects your position before positions on both sides harden.
What does it cost to work with a family law attorney?
Costs depend on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. We discuss fees directly during your consultation so there are no surprises later.
Can a custody plan account for a child’s autism or ADHD?
Yes. Parenting plans can address sensory needs, consistent routines, and coordination of therapy across both households, and we build those details into the plan from the start.
Is Rebekah Frye a licensed California attorney?
Yes. Rebekah Frye has been licensed to practice law in California since 1995, State Bar No. 179781, and her license can be verified through the California State Bar.
Can our case be resolved without going to court?
Many family law matters settle through negotiation or mediation rather than trial, which can save time and reduce conflict. We still prepare every case as if it may go before a judge, so litigation remains available if it is needed.
Do you represent clients in cities near Sunnyvale?
Yes. We work with clients throughout Santa Clara County, including Sunnyvale, San Jose, Mountain View, and the surrounding South Bay communities, and every case moves through the same Santa Clara County family courts.
How quickly can a restraining order be obtained in a domestic violence situation?
A temporary restraining order can often be granted within days when the safety concern is documented, with a full court hearing scheduled shortly after. Santa Clara County family court can move quickly when the situation calls for it.
If your question is not listed here, contact our office and we will walk through your specific situation.
Start Your Sunnyvale Family Law Case With a Clear Plan
You do not need every answer before you contact us. Tell us what is going on, whether that is a divorce just getting started, a custody dispute that has stalled, a support order that no longer fits your life, or a safety concern that needs attention right away. We will lay out what Santa Clara County family court will expect and what we recommend doing first. Contact The Law Offices of Rebekah A. Frye, PC to schedule a consultation.
