I was referred to Ms. Yarnal during the most distressing and tumultuous time of my life. A divorce or custody conflict is never easy - especially with a newborn baby and many other domestic charges involved, yet Ms. Yarnal took over my case and amazingly handled every step of a long and unknown process. She navigated a very complicated case with a calm and professional matter, and always advocated for my child and I's best interest. Thanks to Kathryn, I not only have sole custody of my daughter, but was also granted a difficult move order (during COVID nonetheless) to ensure the safety of my daughter and I, and to give us a chance at a fresh start. I cannot recommend Ms. Yarnal more for any of your family law needs.
Kathryn is organized, prompt and extremely caring. She helped me with my restraining order which was a huge milestone (coming out of an extremely abusive situation which I had pretty much given up hope) she held my hand and gave me strength and the support I needed to fight. My ex is so abusive and all my witnesses were scared to death being by my side as they feared for their safety. Kathryn was my only support and I will always be thankful to her for what she did for me.
Dissolution of Marriage and Legal Separation; Division of assets and debts; Tracing; Moore/Marsden apportionment; Collaboration with forensic accountants
Appellate practice limited to family law litigation
11 years
I have exclusively practiced family law for over 8 years in Southern California superior courts and appellate courts. I have practiced in nearly all areas of Family Law, including, dissolution, paternity, domestic violence and restraining orders, child custody/visitation, child support, spousal support, jurisdictional issues, tracing and reimbursement issues, business valuation and income available for support issues (assisted by forensic accountants), move-away requests, post-Judgment Modifications and writ and appeals.
Mrs. Yarnal's interest in becoming a family law attorney was sparked at the age of seven, when her parents adopted her younger brother. She remembers her parents' confusion in the process. She recalls meeting a family law attorney who invited her to appear at court. A seven-year old girl wearing a shoulder-padded jacket appeared before the judge and promised to take care of her now-brother. Signing the adoption papers changed her life and established her desire to become an attorney.
Also growing up with a shared parenting plan with her then-teenage (half) brother visiting on weekends and holidays gave Mrs. Yarnal the desire to practice child-centered family law.
Mrs. Yarnal attended University of California, Santa Cruz and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. During her junior year she attended Universidad de Carlos III in Madrid, Spain, where she studied international politics and discovered a love of traveling. Mrs. Yarnal obtained a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. During law school, Mrs. Yarnal worked as a law clerk and was a volunteer certified law student at Veteran’s Village Family Law Clinic, helping San Diego homeless veteran’s with family law legal matters.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Lifesaver Family Attorney
I was referred to Ms. Yarnal during the most distressing and tumultuous time of my life. A divorce or custody conflict is never easy - especially with a newborn baby and many other domestic charges involved, yet Ms. Yarnal took over my case and amazingly handled every step of a long and unknown process. She navigated a very complicated case with a calm and professional matter, and always advocated for my child and I's best interest. Thanks to Kathryn, I not only have sole custody of my daughter, but was also granted a difficult move order (during COVID nonetheless) to ensure the safety of my daughter and I, and to give us a chance at a fresh start. I cannot recommend Ms. Yarnal more for any of your family law needs.
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Posted by Parisa | July 28, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Attorney
Kathryn is organized, prompt and extremely caring. She helped me with my restraining order which was a huge milestone (coming out of an extremely abusive situation which I had pretty much given up hope) she held my hand and gave me strength and the support I needed to fight. My ex is so abusive and all my witnesses were scared to death being by my side as they feared for their safety. Kathryn was my only support and I will always be thankful to her for what she did for me.
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Posted by Denise | June 25, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Dedicated, Compassionate, and Experienced
I hired Kathryn to represent me in my highly contentious divorce she has seen me through for almost three years. My case has some highly unusual circumstances and Kathryn has been able to navigate her way through it and has been successful. I have been able to reach Kathryn, even after hours, and her advice has given me peace of mind and her experience has been monumental in my ongoing custody proceedings. I highly recommend Kathryn for your family law matter.
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Posted by Rubina | February 22, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very professional and hard working
Kathryn represented me in my 14 month custody battle & she not only made the process less grueling, she was well-versed in the legal route that needed to be taken as well as courageous us in the court and knew her way around citing what laws were supportive of my case. It was very comforting having Kathyrn as my attorney, especially during such a strenuous time with the serious matter at hand.
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Posted by anonymous | November 6, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Compassionate and effective
Kathryn was my attorney on a long, contentious case that was very difficult for our family. She was consistently professional while still providing meaningful support and advice when asked. I felt like I had an advocate in my corner that I could turn to whenever I needed. She did a great job representing me and I would highly recommend Kathryn in any family law matter.
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Posted by anonymous | October 29, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Experienced, Tactical and often understanding
I am not familiar with the Law as it pertains to Mrs. Yarnal. I found myself in a complicated and emotionally charged situation regarding my ex-wife and youngest child. The system is the system as I have learned, but good council it seems is the best insurance. I want to Thank Mrs. Yarnal and her team for working with me on my joint custody case and fighting for me as I truly felt hopeless in the situation. The matter is not fully resolved, but the foundation is there to build from thanks in no small part to Kathyn and her team. I asked an established Therapist friend who she recommended in my case and she immediately suggested Hughes and Hughes. Kathryn, I know we are not finished, but I appreciate all you have done to give me a voice in what seems like a very difficult situation. I appreciate all you and your team do and have done. You make a difference!
TH
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Posted by mary | June 23, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
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Family Law
Ms. Yarnal is an excellent attorney that truly cares about her clients. She is bright, articulate and an expert in the court room. She was instrumental in helping me negotiate a very difficult divorce process. She is excellent in trial, pays attention to detail and is humble. I am so very grateful to her because without her I would likely have not gotten the excellent custody order I have today. She is willing to go the extra mile for her clients. I would recommend her to anyone.
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Posted by Betty | May 31, 2018
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| Hired Attorney
Spousal Support Assistance
Kathryn was the attorney in my recent hearing for reduction of spousal support decrease requested by my ex-husband. She did an excellent job of researching the data necessary to present at the hearing. Although my monthly support was reduced, it was not reduced to zero which was what my ex-husband wanted. Kathryn researched the judge’s actions in similar cases which was helpful in the approach that was taken. I was very pleased with how she handled each situation. The judge’s comment to Kathryn, as she approved the proposed agreement that was presented, was “good work”.
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Posted by anonymous | October 23, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
You're in good hands with Attorney Kathryn Yarnal!
Attorney Kathryn Yarnal is an amazing combination of intellect and heart. She is honest, hard working and compassionate.
When I retained Hughes & Hughes years ago, Kathryn was part of my legal team. She worked tirelessly on my case and was able to earn my trust when I saw her poise first-hand in front of the Judge. She knew my case and the law supporting it well and communicated with me each step of the way. She made a very difficult process much easier to endure.
A few years later I contacted Kathryn directly when a set of circumstances were threatening my daughter's safety. Within 48 hours, an emergency hearing removed my daughter temporarily from an abusive home. What could have been a long, drawn out and expensive legal battle was avoided when the Judge issued me full physical and legal custody just two weeks later. I attribute this to Ms. Yarnal's knowledge of the court processes, ability to trust her gut and willingness to act quickly. During that trying time, Kathryn guided me and cried with me and, as always, held my daughter's best interest at heart. I will eternally be grateful for her and her service; she changed our lives for the better, forever!
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Posted by Andrew K. | October 10, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professional and compassionate
I hired Kathryn to help me get through a very stressful and potentially problematic child support case. She was very informative and resourceful during the whole process, giving me the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are in good hands. It is very apparent to me during the whole process that Kathryn's motivating force is her desire to improve conditions and focus mainly on what is in the best interest of the children affected by family court cases she agrees to take on, and mine was no exception. I have and will continue to recommend Kathryn to anyone who finds themselves in need of a competent, honest and dedicated family attorney.
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Posted by anonymous | October 10, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
5 Star Review
I am proud to recommend Kathryn and her team. She had a no nonsense attitude while representing me and always made sure she was using her time wisely both in court and at her office. I was represented in a fair and accurate manner. Kathryn's attention to detail was outstanding and I would recommend her to anyone requiring her services in her areas of expertise.
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Posted by anonymous | October 10, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Cares about the children, effective, and efficient
Kathryn is an effective, efficient lawyer with a heart. I feel lucky to have had her as my counsel. Her mediation and negotiation skills are incredible, and she never loses sight of the most important part of a custody dispute: the kids. She was kind, honest, and fair in her dealings with me as her client, and incredibly patient in her dealings with the other side. I believe, in my case at least, she was able to maintain that patient confidence because she had a clear understanding of the facts and a certainty that our plan of action was fair and would be clear to the judge if it went to the judge. I felt confident and ethical as well, as a result of Kathryns help and expertise, which has helped me feel better about the whole process and my abilities as a parent.
I can honestly say that with Kathryn's expert help, I went from being a paranoid father afraid of the legal system to a confident father less worried about the legal aspect, as it was left in competent hands.
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Posted by Lucas | September 21, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best Experience - delivered more than what I asked for!
Kathryn Yarnal was amazing and secured a ruling which has changed my life (and my families life) for the better. From seeing my son 18% of the time to 50% of the time from a bitter ex who was using the child as a pawn for leverage. Hughes & Hughes in every way out maneuvered opposing counsel in all matters and was able to secure a total victory. I had much trepidation in hiring a lawyer and going the legal route but looking back I should have done so much sooner. I asked a prominent attorney in another field for recommendations for family law and I had a consultation with them all - I retained Hughes & Hughes after a twenty minute consult with Kathryn who was direct and there was no wasted movement. Kathryn took the emotion out of the equation and was always professional even when opposing counsel was not. You can't put a price tag on doing what is best for your child and their future and I feel that Kathryn's veteran experience coupled with her execution at the ground level they was unstoppable. Kathryn seems to have seen it all and nothing seemed to surprise her, even when opposing counsel started to muckrake as a last resort. I would highly recommend this firm they are always in the court house with cases (which tells you something) and I truly felt they had their finger on the pulse of what was happening on a day to day scale as opposed to many other lawyers I saw in action who both looked and acted like they were a fish out of water in front of the judge.
I cannot recommend Hughes & Hughes enough as they absolutely did a fantastic job in my case and delivered even more than I asked for. I have used them twice now and both times they have done great work - even at the court house other law firms were seeking guidance from Kathryn on a handful of issues. Top notch.
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Posted by S.W. | April 5, 2011
Reliable and Competent Child Support Lawyer
When I called her firm I was in a real bad position because I was just starting a new job and my work requires me to hold state licenses and because of past due child support issues my licenses where being suspended. Well yeah, the question came up if my license are suspended how can I work and if I can’t work how am I to pay support???? Well I first spoke with Kristen whom provided me with some basic information and suggested I set up a telephone conference with attorney Jeff Sissung. Immediately thereafter I spoke with Jeff and he instantly put my mind at ease with his knowledge of the law and within a day I got a call from Kathryn Yarnal. Kathryn is another attorney at Holstrom, Sissung, Marks and Anderson. Within 2 days of her working on my case she was able to get my license back and I was able to get to work. This team is very professional, they understand the problems that I was going through and they got right on the job to help me. I would highly recommend this team to anyone have these types of issues, not only were they very professional but they are also very nice people. Thank you
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