Thurman Wesley Arnold III

PRO

Thurman Wesley Arnold III

also known as Thurman W. Arnold, III, CFLS, AAML

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 43 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Palm Springs, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Mediation, Child Custody, Child Support

225 South Civic Drive, Suite 1-3, Palm Springs, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Thurman

Biography

Palm Springs and Palm Desert Divorce and all related Family Law matters. Hire the most qualified!

We can assist you in your family crisis with uncommon dedication and intelligence!

We have a unique family sciences background and know the laws affecting custody and parent move-away

A fair and appropriate child support award will affect your kid's quality of life for years to come.

Thurman Arnold is the co-founder of Desert Family Mediation Services. Please call us for information

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 60%

All aspects of complex divorce, high asset, and high conflict divorce including property characterization and division, spousal support and attorney fee awards, issues relating to fiduciary duties, and modifications of orders.

44 years | 2,000 cases

60%
Mediation 20%

Helping families resolve their relationship and related legal difficulties in divorce is my greatest passion. This is why I was a Master Student at Loma Linda University and trained under world renowned Peacemaker and Mediators Gary Friedman and Forrest 'Woody' Mosten. Even though I am a tough divorce litigator, I encourage honorable resolutions for my clients and the other party and their counsel - which is what I would want for my family and friends!

19 years | 200 cases

20%
Child Custody 10%

As a former student at Loma Linda University in the Family Studies Masters program (M.A.), I have specialized insights into issues affecting children. I particularly enjoy move-away and relocation cases, as well as those cases requiring 730 examinations.

44 years | 300 cases

10%
Child Support 10%

Child and spousal support are extremely important issues, and become way too complicated for clients on their own (or unskilled lawyers), especially when businesses and self-employment income are concerned.

44 years | 300 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 375-450 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2013
Gold Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in California for 43 years

State: California

Acquired: 1982

Active

No misconduct found

Location

ARNOLD AND PETERSON, LLP

225 South Civic Drive, Suite 1-3, Palm Springs, CA, 92262

thurmanarnold.com/

Desert Family Mediation Services

225 S Civic Dr Ste 1-2, Palm Springs, CA, 92262-7227

thurmanarnold.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Thurman online.

Thurman Wesley Arnold III's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

30 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by Seth | February 16, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Highly recommended!

When I first called this law office and set up my initial consultation with Michael Peterson for my pending divorce, I was impressed with how professional and straight-to-the-point he was. He asked all of the necessary questions and summarized my situation very quickly. His assistant, Jordyn, was a...lso very efficient with scheduling and ensuring they got me in quickly whenever it was needed. I then hired Michael to help me draft a divorce agreement (i.e. settlement offer). We worked together, in person, to think through all of the angles and ensure that my interests were protected. Michael was very realistic, reasonable, articulate, and easy to work with. As much as I thought working with a lawyer might be a miserable experience, I actually enjoyed hanging out in Michael's office and working with him. In the end, I felt that I received solid guidance from Michael throughout the entire process of the divorce and felt confident, despite all of the uncertainties and "what ifs", that he had helped me get through the divorce as quickly and smoothly as possible. He also made phone calls to other experts / consultants / lawyers for advice related to real estate law, since my divorce involved some complicated issues regarding a home my ex wife and I owned together. Compared with other local attorneys - some of whom wanted over $7,000 right at the start - this law office was extremely reasonable with their rates, billing by the hour with full transparency and printed breakdowns along the way. Even after the divorce paperwork has been all signed off and completed, Michael has continued to help answer my questions as they arise. I am extremely grateful to have found Michael and Jordyn, since they saved me a lot of money and made my divorce as painless as possible. I would highly recommend them!

Posted by Richard | April 28, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

Thank you Thurman arnold and thank you to your staff as well

Thurman Arnold represented me in my prior divorce. He did an incredible job at representing me and I was more than pleased with the outcome. I had met with several other attorneys prior to retaining him and was told basically I would be paying much more than I expected in the settlement. Mr Arnold as...sured me he would do everything in his power to help and that he did. Saving me a great deal of money. He was always there to take my calls and when he was not his staff was very polite and helpfull. Mr Arnold would also return phone calls after hours. Divorce can be a horrible thing to go through, Mr Arnold made it so much easier. So I recently seeked him out on my recent divorce. I live in Nevada but he was able to help me quickly serve my wife in Calif. before she was able to serve me. The same day the case was filed she was served by his office within 2 hours. I couldn't be more grateful to him and his staff for all there help. Owning busnesses in the Palm springs area and living there for over 17 years I would highly recommend Thurman Arnold for your Family Law needs.

Posted by Pamela and her furry friends | March 01, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Divorce Attorney/Extremely Knowledgeable

Mr. Thurman Arnold III, Is the BEST attorney I have ever worked with!He helped me get through some very difficult times. Along with Mr, Arnold is his wonderful staff, Diane and and Kristin.They make up for an excellent team.They were always kind and very supportive.They are a wonderful team to wor...k with...sepecially when you are going through some very difficult times in your personal life...like a divorce you never saw coming! Along with being very knowledgable and highly ethical,Thurman is very compassionate !Not only in his work field but in his everyday life ,Thurman always finds the time to be there for you. He also has a very kind and loving soft spot for animals...Thurman would always remember to ask me about my loving animals. Everything Thurman did for me was above and beyond the call of duty. Thurman is the kind of person who will always be there for you when you need him...along with his loving and caring staff! They were like family to me!They will always be in my life and I know if I need his help he is only a phone call away!! Thanks again for making my life a better place!

Posted by Jim Ward | February 19, 2013 | Family

He is an true advocate!

Thurman Arnold is an incredible advocate and extremely knowledgeable attorney. He has repeatedly offered accurate and timely assistance on complex family law matters. He is smart, persistent and has a good sense of humor!

Posted by Pamela | January 08, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes

If you are looking for an Amazing, Highley Educated Attorney with Excellent Work Ethics, Mr Arnold III is that Attorney for you.

Mr. Thurman Arnold III, Is absolutely an increddible attorney I was supprized at how fast Mr Arnold responded to me on the first day it was almost immediately, I have had attorney's before and never have they responded to me so quickley and with some anwsers to my questions, I could tell right away... that Mr Arnold seemed to be a very educated Attorney, that I definately wanted on my side. I like his Strong Work Ethics, which are important when hiring an attorney. I have alot to get done in my personal case and I know I made the right choice with Thurman Wesley Arnnold III as my choice of Attorney's to get the job I need done.

See All Client Reviews

Thurman Wesley Arnold III's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Thurman
Gretchen Wellman Taylor headshot
Gretchen Taylor

Family lawyer | Mar 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had Mr. Arnold appear in my Courtroom over the years and now that I am retired , I have had the pleasure of collaborating with him on numerous projects and cases.He is dedicated and hardworking and has at the heart of his practice the clients needs and best interests foremost. He is able to litlgate a complicated matter with great skill as well as to resolve through mediation and settlement those cases that are amenable to alternate dispute resolution.A really great lawyer and leader in forward thinking Family Law issues."

Gordon Gilbert Meyer headshot
Gordon Meyer

Family lawyer | May 24

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have been an attorney for 37 years and am a Certified Family Law Specialist. Mr Arnold and I have opposed each other in trial. He is very competent and an experienced attorney. Despite a partial trial, we were able to successfully resolve many issues without a lengthy trial. He has passed the written exam for family certification. Upon completion of the certification process, he will be a very fine addition to the list of certified family law specialists."

James A. Jackson headshot
James Jackson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 29

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Mr. Arnold is one of the toughest and most experienced attorneys in the desert area. His skills are exceptional and he is one of the very best litigators in the family law arena."

Lisa Sterling Arnquist headshot
Lisa Arnquist

Family lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I would highly recommend Mr. Arnold to any potential client seeking his services. He has accumulated seemingly endless experience and Sage wisdom which he shares freely and uses to guide his clients to successful results. He has retained his passion for helping others and his genuine concern for people can't help but change anyone's negative view about attorneys. He is also a dragon in Court and will reduce the opposing counsel to cinders, if necessary, but is responsible enough with all of that fire power, to wield it wisely."

Wazhma Mojaddidi headshot
Wazhma Mojaddidi

Family lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Arnold authors a blog on his website that is an excellent tool for any family law practitioner. As a family law attorney, I regularly rely on the information that he provides on his website. I would recommend his website to any attorney or self-representing party. When I was faced with a complex property issue in my case, Mr. Arnold provided invaluable feedback during a consultation. He represents all that is good in the legal community. Thank you Mr. Arnold for being a passionate and knowledgeable attorney who is actually making a difference!"

Amanda Anessa Stewart headshot
Amanda Stewart

Family lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Thurman has one of the most helpful websites I have found. The wealth of knowledge is a testament to his experience. I appreciate his willingness to help with tough questions of law."

Richard Ian Ross headshot
Richard Ross

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Charles Doland headshot
Michael Doland

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A fellow Avvo attorney referred me to an article on Mr. Arnold's web site. It was truly well written, informative and in plain English and conveyed the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."

Ann R. Klein headshot
Ann Klein

Family lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is very knowledgeable on family law issues."

Iris Mann Mckay headshot
Iris Mckay

Family lawyer | Mar 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Thurman's website is the most content-rich family law website in Southern California. I often refer client's to his site. He truly is an honor to our profession, especially in these days. I recommend clients to him without hesitation."

Farzad Nezam headshot
Farzad Nezam

Family lawyer | Aug 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Thurman Arnold is extremely knowledgeable in family law. He shares his knowledge freely with the public with his family law blogs. Thurman is very professional, has high ethics, and has a genuine passion for family law. Thurman, respects other lawyers, be it young ones or experienced ones like himself and in my book is what a family law attorney should be, caring, compassionate, honest and well versed in the family law."

Donald Bradley Cripe headshot
Donald Cripe

Family lawyer | Feb 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Wes is very highly regarded by his peers and, to the best of my knowledge, clients. He is very active in the community and promotes peaceful resolutions to family law disputes. Wes is a trained mediator as well as being an exceptional lawyer. I endorse him without reservation."

Babak Robert Farzad headshot
Babak Farzad

Family lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Thurman is not only a good family law attorney but he shares an interest in family law, its evolution and direction. He is well written on the subject and I respect his passion for the practice."

Jan Champion headshot
Jan Champion

Mediation lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have been a trial lawyer for over 35 years and recently searched for a family law SEO specialist to help me create a website. After discussing my project with all of the big players, I discovered, and selected, Thurman Arnold. His website is the best I have seen, sensitive, informative, and clearly written. His sites all ranked at the top of Google for his area. My personal contact with him confirmed his knowledge of family law, and his expertise in SEO. He is easy and energetic to work with. Selecting Thurman Arnold as my SEO specialist is one of the best decisions I have made."

Richard S. Trugman headshot
Richard Trugman

Family lawyer | Mar 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Barbara Elaine Kristal headshot
Barbara Kristal

Family lawyer | Mar 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Sebastian Gibson headshot
Sebastian Gibson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work because I trust his ethics and honesty above all else. Wes, as he is known to his clients and fellow attorneys, has the decades of experience a client and a fellow attorney looks for and the down to earth friendliness a client, especially a divorce client, needs when their marriage has fallen apart. I wholeheartedly recommend this attorney to anyone in need of a family lawyer in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert area."

Mark David Gershenson headshot
Mark Gershenson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Thurman Arnold is bright and well-versed in family law. In the words of pundit Ben Stein, he is a worthy adversary. He has softened (in a good way) in recent years and now realizes that divorce clients are best served by collaboration and cooperation between the lawyers, and that the aggressive, "see you in court" approach should be a last resort rather than standard operating procedure (viewpoints which I share)."

Robert Harlan Stempler headshot
Robert Stempler

Family lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly endorse Thurman Arnold, having known him since the early 1990's and we worked together on a case several years ago. He cares for his clients and is very knowledgeable, particularly in the area of Family Law, in which he is a certified specialist. He has also handled many trials, over the course of his three decades as an attorney."

Mitchell Reed Sussman headshot
Mitchell Sussman

Family lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. If I have a family law matter, he is the guy that I send it to. Experienced, hard working and reliable."

View All Endorsements
Edward Hall Cross headshot
Edward Cross

Real estate lawyer

L. Barry Mack headshot
L. Mack

Divorce and separation lawyer

James A. Jackson headshot
James Jackson

Divorce and separation lawyer

Wazhma Mojaddidi headshot
Wazhma Mojaddidi

Divorce and separation lawyer

Tecla Morasca Lunak headshot
Tecla Lunak

Divorce and separation lawyer

Lisa Sterling Arnquist headshot
Lisa Arnquist

Divorce and separation lawyer

Bradley Jay Faber headshot
Bradley Faber

Child custody lawyer

Basil Thomas Chapman headshot
Basil Chapman

Divorce and separation lawyer

Ann R. Klein headshot
Ann Klein

Divorce and separation lawyer

Iris Mann Mckay headshot
Iris Mckay

Unknown lawyer

Quinton Ray Swanson headshot
Quinton Swanson

Divorce and separation lawyer

Farzad Nezam headshot
Farzad Nezam

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kimberly Tsong-Min Lee headshot
Kimberly Lee

Estate planning lawyer

Donald Bradley Cripe headshot
Donald Cripe

Mediation lawyer

Babak Robert Farzad headshot
Babak Farzad

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jan Champion headshot
Jan Champion

Divorce and separation lawyer

Michael Christian Peterson headshot
Michael Peterson

Divorce and separation lawyer

David Earl Jacobs headshot
David Jacobs

Litigation lawyer

Richard S. Trugman headshot
Richard Trugman

Divorce and separation lawyer

Sebastian Gibson headshot
Sebastian Gibson

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Top Lawyers, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

California Divorce Superlawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

2014 Top Lawyers, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2013

Certificate of Appreciation, Desert Bar Association

2013

Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2013

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2011

Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2010

Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California

1981

Member, Environmental Law Journal (Law Review), Lewis and Clark Law School

1979

Degree With Honors, UCSB

1975

Certificate of Academic Excellence, Reed College

Work Experience

2009 - Present

Mediator, Desert Family Mediation Services

1982 - Present

Founding Owner, Law Firm of Thurman W. Arnold, III, C.F.L.S.

Associations

2016 - Present

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Fellow

2010 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association Barristers

2010 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

Member

2010 - Present

Mediators Beyond Borders

Member

2009 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association

Member

2008 - Present

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Member

2001 - Present

Family Law Section, California State Bar

Member

1982 - Present

Riverside County Bar Association

Member

1982 - Present

Desert Bar Association

Member

International Association of Collaborative Professionals

Member

International Association of Holistic Lawyers

Member

2011 - 2013

Family Law Section, Desert Bar Association

Chair

2001 - 2003

American Inns of Court

Member, Warren Slaughter Chapter

Education

1982

Lewis & Clark Coll Northwestern SOL

Juris Doctorate

1979

Univ of California Santa Barbara

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

Loma Linda University

N/A

Reed College

Speaking Engagements

2013

FLS Workshop

"Advocacy Perspectives"

2013

Evidentiary Challenges in Divorce Cases Family Law Evidence

2012

2010

Smart Talk Radio WITF Divorce and Parenting

2010

Blog Talk Radio Co-Parenting with an Ex

Publications

2012

Inside the Minds (Aspatore Books) The Growing Role of Mediation and Collaborative Law in Family Law Cases

2010

2010

2010

TransitionalFamilyResources.com The Pursuit of Whose Happiness? Men?

2010

Martindale-Hubbell publication Lawyers as Front Line Crisis Responders

Languages

English

Activity

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution