Stephen Douglas Hamilton

Stephen Douglas Hamilton

4.6
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 31 years

Family Lawyer at Arroyo Grande, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Child Custody, Divorce & Separation ... +2 more

1277 East Grand Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA

About Stephen

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 30%

30 years | 2,000 cases

30%
Divorce and Separation 30%

30 years | 20,000 cases

30%
Family 30%

30 years | 2,000 cases

30%
Adoption 5%

20 years | 5 cases

5%
Domestic Violence 5%

30 years | 200 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 31 years

State: California

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Stephen D Hamilton Attorney at Law

1277 East Grand Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420

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Stephen Douglas Hamilton's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

20 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (20) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes

Posted by anonymous | May 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Not really a thinker.

Wasn't him it was Keneth McDaniel that worked for him now the commissioner. Fairly complex court case with multiple properties multiple sources of income things needed to be protected and preserved to maintain assets before divisions started. Highly unprofessional from McDaniel who did no analysis or... attempt to understand any of it worked. Went to court and he was only the go between with the other counsel. In the hearing just a few words counsel wants this you should agree, I agreed. Council wants that you should agree, I agreed. Over the next few months the opposing council served all sorts of court orders on property managers and stock holding companies taking all the money that maintained assets and flow and giving it to petitioner. Completely shut everything down. nothing could be paid for left me with 2700 a month to pay for anything let alone my own residence. Complete disaster and when any attempt to explain what had happened to McDaniel he was very confused and at some point would lose composure. Basically over the long run destroyed a million in assets. No Joke. Very serious consequences from a couple of arrogant buffoons who wallk into court paid 4000 each for the day to say a few sentences. The attitude is you pay me for my expertise not my effort. Well guys, you needed to put in the effort and you did not and your expertise attitude really messed a family up.

Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

SAVED ME!

I had been through several lawyers that were not giving my case the attention I felt it deserved. I was referred to Mr Hamilton by a friend that used his services and was very happy. Well she was right, he saved me and renewed my confidence in lawyers. Every issue I was dealing with swiftly got rever...sed in my favor! My only regret........ not seeing Mr Hamilton first.

Posted by Lee | July 18, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Great communication, great results

I retained Mr. Hamilton to help with a revision to spousal support payments. He and his staff worked closely with me to ensure that they knew precisely what my parameters and limits were, and Mr. Hamilton outlined my options realistically. He then pursued the matter efficiently--typically composing... a letter for my review as we sat in his office--and would contact me as soon as he'd heard anything from opposing counsel. He was smart, engaging, and obviously knew the law. He and his staff communicated timely and efficiently; I was never left wondering what was going on with my case. We reached a satisfactory conclusion, and I would not hesitate to retain Mr. Hamilton in the future should I need any further representation. Five stars, easily.

See All Client Reviews

Stephen Douglas Hamilton's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Stephen
David Scott Hamilton headshot
David Hamilton

Family lawyer | Dec 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Amanda Beth Naples headshot
Amanda Naples

Family lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Hamilton provides a much needed service on Avvo. He donates his time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."

Lisa Dana Ramsey headshot
Lisa Ramsey

Family lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
David Scott Hamilton headshot
David Hamilton

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2004

Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Principal, Stephen D. Hamilton, Attorney at Law

Associations

2017 - Present

San Luis Obispo County Bar Family Law Section

Chairperson

2017 - Present

Amicus Committee, ACFLS

Member

2016 - Present

State Bar of California, Family Law Section

Executive Committee Member, Legislation Chair 2017-2018

2016 - Present

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

Member

2016 - Present

Outreach Committee, ACFLS

Member

2016 - Present

Knights of Columbus

Member, Warden 2017, Chancellor 2017-2018

1994 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

1994 - Present

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association

Member

Education

1987

University of California - Berkeley

BS - Bachelor of Science

N/A

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

N/A

Speaking Engagements

2017

Webinar

Moderator, Fiduciary Duties 101

2017

Webinar

Moderator & Author, Family Code Section 3042: Ascertaining the Wishes of a Child in Custody and Visitation Matters

2017

Monthly Meeting

What Every Lawyer Should Know About Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

2017

Meeting

Requests for Statements of Decision: How, When and Why.

2017

Meeting

Six Month Case Review

2017

Meeting

People v. Sanchez: Can My Expert Witness Still Rely on Hearsay

2017

2017 Minor’s Counsel Training

Moderator and Speaker

Publications

2017

State Bar of California Family Law News “When and How to Respond to Online Reviews"

2017

State Bar of California Family Law News Why ESI Scares Me as a Solo Practitioner

2017

State Bar of California Family Law News Requesting a Statement of Decision: How, When & Why

2017

State Bar of California Family Law Monthly News “Sanctions after Sagnowski"

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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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