Roy Doppelt – San Diego Family Lawyer with Over 30 Years of Experience
Roy Doppelt is a San Diego family lawyer with more than 30 years of experience helping clients navigate divorce, custody, and all aspects of family law. In fact, he is the only San Diego family law attorney named a Super Lawyer in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, he authored the San Diego Legal Insider's Guide to Divorce, Legal Separation, and Paternity.
Roy grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He then relocated to California to attend California Western School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in 1988 with honors. As a result, he passed both the California and Illinois bars that same year and began serving clients across the San Diego area.
Roy Doppelt's San Diego Family Law Practice
As a dedicated San Diego family lawyer, Roy handles a wide range of family law matters. Specifically, his practice includes:
- Separation and divorce
- Legal separation
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Paternity proceedings
- Division of assets and debts
- Modifications of final judgments
Child Custody and Divorce in San Diego
When a couple with young children divorces, child custody and visitation often become complex and hotly contested. In these situations, San Diego family courts focus on the best interests of the child. For example, judges consider each parent's ability to provide care, any health issues, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse, and the child's educational opportunities.
Furthermore, custody decisions address two distinct issues: where the child lives (physical custody) and who makes important decisions for the child (legal custody). Courts generally prefer joint arrangements. However, they award sole custody when circumstances require it.
A parent can also seek to modify a custody order by showing a substantial change in circumstances. Similarly, if the custodial parent wants to relocate and the other parent objects, the court will revisit the arrangement entirely.
Roy Doppelt's Approach as Your San Diego Family Lawyer
Family law matters carry high emotional stakes for every spouse and child involved. Therefore, Roy keeps clients fully informed about what the law requires and what outcomes they can realistically expect. Moreover, he clearly lays out all available options along with the short- and long-term consequences of each path.
In practical terms, Roy stays mindful of clients' time and finances. Consequently, he works to resolve cases efficiently while keeping each client's specific goals in focus. Ultimately, when your future is on the line, you need a zealous advocate, and that is exactly what Roy delivers. Clients across Metro San Diego, North County Inland, North County Coastal, Central San Diego, East County, and South County trust Roy to guide them through their most challenging moments.
Education and Bar Admissions
- J.D., California Western School of Law, San Diego — Dean's Award
- B.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- State of California, 1988
- State of Illinois, 1988
- Southern District of California, 1988
Professional Memberships
- San Diego County Bar Association
- Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Awards and Honors
- Award of Merit, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (2007)
- Featured, San Diego Magazine: Lawyers and Law Firms You Need to Know (2009)
- Who's Who in America (2010 Edition)
- Top 100 Attorneys, The National Advocates (2014–2018)
- Martindale-Hubbell Very High Peer Review Rating (2003–2018)
- American Institute of Family Law: 10 Best Client Satisfaction (2016–2017)
