Stephen Douglas Hamilton

Stephen Douglas Hamilton

4.8
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

4.8 /5.0

18 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (18) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Recommendation

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 Matt | June 09, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Changed me and my daughters’ lives.

Mr. Hamilton changed our lives for the better. I had gone through divorce 4 years before without representation. I wound up moving to Orange County to be closer to my family. The marriage and settlement agreement gave my ex wife physical custody and me “reasonable visitation.” My ex wife decided that... meant she could dictate visitation how she saw fit. As she remarried and had another baby, she decided she would only allow me to see my daughters once a year, told me I didn’t have a right to phone calls, and if I wanted the girls to visit me during the summers I could wait till they were 18. I hired Mr. Hamilton to represent me and file a request I for order changing the custody arrangement. He negotiated with me ex wife’s attorney and represented me in court. I now have joint legal and joint physical custody. I get to drive up every other weekend to see them. They now will come down here half the summers and alternate holiday weeks. I was missing out on my daughters’ lives. Mr. Hamilton fought for me. My daughters are the most important part of my life. I couldn’t be happier, and I owe this all to Mr. Hamilton.

Posted by Melissa | September 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Very Satisfied

Mr. Hamilton has helped me through my divorce and several child custody and support issues over the years. He always looks at any problem I'm facing to determine what the best outcome for me and my children will be. There have been several occasions when I've wanted to go to court to fight something ...on principal and he has helped me weigh the cost of the battle against what I might stand to gain if I won. I know he would fight for me if I decided to go that route, but he helped me keep a level head. I know he sees his clients as people who need help, not as billable hours. He has integrity and I can't recommend him more highly.

Posted by Jerry | March 28, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Exceptional representation, Amazing Staff

As a male entering divorce proceedings it can be overwhelming. You absolutely owe it to yourself to find counsel who will represent your interests and advocate for you in an ethical but assertive manner. Stephen Hamilton is that and more. He will guide you through the difficult process and ensure you... end with a satisfactory result. Hiring Mr Hamilton I believe was the smartest thing I did when my marriage ended.

Posted by Courtney Booth | June 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent Family Law Attorney

I was referred to Mr. Hamilton by a friend who said he was the best there is in the county. I had represented myself throughout my divorce and then after several custody modifications later. I finally needed help and the advice of someone who knew what they were doing in a contentious custody battle.... Mr. Hamilton was upfront, honest, and provided me with a spectrum of outcomes, never giving me any false hope. I tend to over analyze and prepare for the worst, which he could immediately sense. He reassured me throughout the process to keep me from over analyzing. The end result was a result that I could have never imagined possible on my own and I am entirely thankful for his assistance. He has superb communication skills and by the way he interacts in the court room, you can see how well respected he is in the county as a family law attorney. His staff is friendly and kind; always making you feel welcome. It isn't stuffy and no one makes you feel like your situation is less important than the next client. It was one of the best decisions I ever made when I hired him as my attorney.

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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