Dennis Geis Temko

Dennis Temko — Certified Family Law Specialist | Family Law Appeals & Writs

Dennis Temko is a Certified Family Law Specialist (State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization) whose practice is devoted to family law appeals and writs. Based in San Diego, he represents appellants and respondents in the California Courts of Appeal statewide, including the Fourth Appellate District, Division One. He also handles writ petitions, including petitions for writ of mandate and writs of supersedeas.

His appellate work covers:

child custody and move-away orders

child and spousal support, including Ostler/Smith bonus support

property characterization and division, and separate property tracing

stock options and high-income earners
premarital agreements

imputation of income

domestic violence restraining orders

Published opinions by Mr. Temko include: 

In re Marriage of R.K. & G.K. (2025) 113 14: move-away and due process
In re Marriage of Sullivan (2023) 89 585: military retirement
In re E.E. (2020) 49 195: dependency jurisdiction
Menezes v. McDaniel (2019) 44 340: Fam. Code § 271 sanctions
In re Marriage of T.C. & D.C. (2018) 30 419: spousal support modification
Lief v. Superior Court (2018) 30 868: move-away
D.L. v. Superior Court (2018) 29 359: jurisdiction
In re Marriage of Macilwaine (2018) 26 514: high earner and stock options
In re E.H. (2018) 26 1058: Indian Child Welfare Act
In re Marriage of Pearson (2018) 21 218: statutory interpretation
In re Marriage of Minkin (2017) 11 939: Ostler/Smith
In re Marriage of G. (2017) 11 773: DVRO renewal
S.P. v. F.G. (2016) 4 921: high-income earner child support
Elena S. v. Kroutik (2016) 247 570: commissioner stipulation
In re Marriage of Winternitz (2015) 235 644: child custody

Admitted in 2013, Mr. Temko has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star (2017–2024) and Super Lawyer (2025–2027). He has volunteered with the San Diego Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop since 2014, served on the board of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association (2019–2021), and is a member of the San Diego Appellate Inn of Court. He writes and lectures on family law appellate practice for the State Bar Family Law News, the California Lawyers Association, and local bar groups.