Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente, LLP - Irvine, CA

Elite High-Net-Worth Family Law and Divorce Advocacy in Irvine

Established in 1995 by legendary family law practitioners Eleanor Stegmeier and Saul M. Gelbart, Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente, LLP (SGSB) is widely recognized as one of the preeminent family law firms in California. Headquartered on MacArthur Boulevard in Irvine, the firm provides sophisticated representation for corporate executives, business founders, professional athletes, physicians, and high-net-worth spouses throughout Orange County and San Diego County. When individuals need to hire an attorney with elite courtroom command and proven trial acumen, SGSB is the gold standard.

SGSB distinguishes itself through an extraordinary concentration of legal specialization. The firm features multiple fellows of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), as well as numerous attorneys Board Certified as Family Law Specialists by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Whether navigating contentious child custody disputes or untangling multi-million-dollar financial estates, their trial attorneys command deep respect in family courts across the state.

Focused Areas of High-Stakes Family Practice

The firm delivers authoritative representation across the entire spectrum of complex California domestic relations law:

• High-net-worth divorce and marital dissolution: Managing high-asset dissolutions involving substantial real estate portfolios, stock options, deferred compensation, and multi-tier corporate entities.
• Complex business valuation and forensic accounting: Teaming with top financial experts to accurately valuate closely-held businesses, medical and legal practices, executive compensation packages, and tracing separate versus community property.
• Complex child custody and visitation litigation: Litigating high-conflict custody proceedings, international move-away disputes, substance abuse evaluations, and parental alienation claims with paramount focus on the child's best interests.
• Executive spousal support and child support: Establishing and modifying substantial alimony and guideline child support awards based on complex revenue streams, dividends, and fluctuating bonus compensation.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: Crafting bulletproof premarital covenants and postnuptial contracts to insulate family wealth and protect business ownership from divorce liabilities.
• Private family law mediation: Offering distinguished private dispute resolution through the SGSB Mediation Center, featuring advanced AAML-certified mediators.
• Family law appeals and writs: Challenging or defending critical family law judgments before the California Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Trial-Tested Acumen Coupled with Strategic Discretion

While SGSB attorneys are formidable trial advocates who have successfully litigated hundreds of complex trials, they understand that high-profile clients often value discretion above all else. For clients seeking to find a lawyer who protects privacy, SGSB utilizes private judges, sealed proceedings, and confidential settlement conferences whenever possible. When settlement cannot be achieved amicably, the firm brings rigorous evidentiary mastery and compelling advocacy to the courtroom.

Unmatched Reputation in the California Legal Community

With multiple partners recognized as Orange County Family Law Attorney of the Year and consistent Tier 1 rankings from Best Law Firms, SGSB has earned an unmatched standing among peers and judges alike. Spouses seeking to consult with a family lawyer for decisive, high-caliber representation find extraordinary strength and compassionate guidance at Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente, LLP.