We help solve your family law disputes, including divorce, custody and support. Skilled & Effective.We solve family legal problems, including probate, divorce, custody, support, estate plans & trusts.
Gary D. Sparks is an accomplished attorney who has successfully represented hundreds of husbands, wives, parents, military service members and same sex couples with their divorce and other family law legal disputes for more than a decade.
In fact, you may have heard Gary during one of his multiple appearances as a special guest on the Ronn Owens Program on KGO-AM 810 in San Francisco discussing current California divorce and family law issues, and he has been interviewed by both local and national publications in addition to publishing several of his own legal guides and blog.
Gary graduated 1st in his class from the John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he was awarded Magna Cum Laude honors for excellence in academic achievement, in addition to numerous other scholarly awards. He clerked for the Family Law court while in law school and served as the managing editor of the Law Review. As a result of his good standing and academic accomplishments, Gary was certified by the State Bar of California to engage in the limited practice of family law while still a law student. He worked for several years as a student instructor, and then afterwards as a teaching assistant at the School of Law, and today continues to privately tutor and advise law students in their studies and in preparation for the bar exam and their future careers. He also serves as a mentor for new lawyers.
Prior to founding his own firm in 2009, Gary was a partner at Holmes, Moore & Sparks, a well-known family law firm in Walnut Creek with a rich 25+ year history of successful family law advocacy across the East Bay.
Gary has a reputation in the legal community for being firm, yet fair, in dealing with other parties and attorneys. His time clerking for the court gave him valuable insight and experience into the inner workings of our legal system, flawed as it may be. Gary enjoys legal research and analysis, and is highly skilled at presenting oral argument in court. Gary practices law from the perspective of a divorced father who learned the legal system firsthand during his own highly contested custody case, which eventually drove him to attend law school with the objective of practicing family law.
Gary is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa County Bar Association, the Solano County Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and is a member of the Bay Area Regional Standing Committee (BARSC) of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California which proposes, reviews and recommends legislation to our state assembly and senate each year. Gary regularly presents pro-per divorce clinics and has served as a “Lawyer in the Library,” and also volunteers to assist self-represented parties reach agreements at their mandatory Settlement Conferences at the courthouse.
Gary is admitted to practice law in all state courts throughout California. He is also active in community service and is an ardent supporter of students in public education. Gary is a recipient of the Unsung Hero Award for his past efforts with the Vanished Children’s Alliance to locate, recover and reunify missing and abducted children with their families, and is a member of the Masons of California and a supporter of the Masons 4 Mitts program providing baseball gloves to underprivileged children here in the Bay Area.
Gary is an avid golfer with a handicap that is far too high for his liking. He enjoys football, baseball, mountain and road biking, loves riding on his Vulcan Mean Streak cruiser and spending time with his family and dog, Harley.
Practice areas
Protect your assets, family, and children, and direct how your affairs are handled when you die. I'll prepare your personalized estate plan with a Will, Trust, Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directive, and/or Nomination of Guardian.
Family law encompasses all the disputes that can arise from romantic relationships. Divorce. Separation. Annulments. Custody. Child Support. Alimony. Property. Prenuptial & Premarital Agreements. Domestic Violence. Adoption. Contested or Uncontested.
19 years
Probate is the legal process for sorting out your estate, paying required bills, and ensuring that your beneficiaries receive what you intended. We'll advise your executor or beneficiaries through the complex maze of steps to carry out your will.
19 years
Take a child into your home and accept legal responsibility as if s/he was your natural born son or daughter. See Family Law practice area.
Ensuring that spouses receive the financial support they need, and that paying spouses only pay what they must. See Family Law practice area.
19 years
Safe and sane solutions for child custody and visitation. See Family Law practice area.
19 years
Ensure that your children get the legal amount of financial support they need. See Family Law practice area.
19 years
Relationships unfortunately sometimes come to an end. We'll fight hard to ensure that your rights are protected and that you understand your obligations. We prefer to settle, but will play hardball when necessary. See Family Law practice area.
19 years
We're here when you've been victimized by a family member, or a current or former romantic partner. Or when you've been wrongfully/falsely accused by someone trying to gain an unfair advantage over you. See Family Law practice area.
19 years
Prepare a backup plan in advance for how to end your marriage peacefully and without (much) litigation in the unfortunate event that you and your spouse separate and/or divorce. See Family Law practice area.
Designate a responsible person to manage your financial, business, and property affairs while you are incapacitated or unavailable. See Estate Planning practice area.
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts. Individual, Family, Special Needs, or Charitable Trusts. See Estate Planning practice area.
14 years
Why spend tens of thousands of dollars when you and your spouse are able to agree? Hire an attorney to prepare your legally enforceable documents for a fraction of the cost. See Family Law practice area.
Wills, Codicils, Living Wills (Advance Healthcare Directive in CA). See Estate Planning practice area.
14 years
Languages spoken
German, English
Sparks Family Law, Inc.
1125 Missouri Street, Suite 208
Fairfield, CA, 94533
Sparks Family Law, Inc.
2890 North Main Street, Suite 205
Walnut Creek, CA, 94597
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2005 | 06/07/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
10 Best Under 40 | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2017 |
Top Attorneys of North America | The Heritage Registry | 2015 |
Magna Cum Laude | John F. Kennedy University School of Law | 2004 |
Witkin Award | Witkin Legal Institute | 2004 |
Class Rank #1 | John F. Kennedy University School of Law | 2004 |
Witkin Award | Witkin Legal Institute | 2003 |
Witkin Award | Witkin Legal Institute | 2002 |
Award for Academic Excellence | American Legion | 1984 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
President / Attorney at Law | Sparks Family Law, Inc. | 2014 - Present |
Attorney at Law | The Law Offices of Gary D. Sparks | 2009 - Present |
Partner / Attorney | Holmes, Moore & Sparks, Inc. | 2006 - 2009 |
Associate Attorney | Holmes, Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2005 - 2006 |
Certified Law Student | Holmes, Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2003 - 2005 |
Family Law Clerk (Internship) | Superior Court of California | 2003 - 2003 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Member | 2009 - Present |
Acalanes Fellowship Lodge F&AM | Member, Officer | 2008 - Present |
Contra Costa County Bar Association (multiple sections) | Member | 2005 - Present |
Solano County Bar Association (multiple sections) | Member | 2005 - Present |
American Bar Association (multiple sections) | Member | 2005 - Present |
State Bar of California (multiple sections) | Member | 2001 - Present |
State Bar of California, Bay Area Regional Standing Committee of the Family Law Executive Committee (FLEXCOM) | Member | 2014 - 2015 |
Vaca Arts Council | Director | 2010 - 2011 |
State Bar of California, Bay Area Regional Standing Committee of the Family Law Executive Committee (FLEXCOM) | Member | 2008 - 2009 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Blog Article | The Return of Flat Fee Divorce | 2015 |
Blog Article | Depression and Mental Illness: Lessons from Robin Williams' Heartbreaking Death | 2015 |
Blog Article | Pre-Birth Custody and Visitation Orders | 2014 |
Blog Article | After 40 Years, Sesame Street Tackles the Issue of Divorce | 2014 |
Blog Article | Judge Sentences Husband to Take His Wife on a Date | 2012 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2019 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2018 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2017 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2016 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2015 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2014 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2013 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2012 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2011 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2010 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2009 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2008 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2007 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2006 |
State Bar of California | Certificates | 2005 |
John F. Kennedy University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor (Magna Cum Laude) | 2004 |
California State University | Bachelor of Science | 1995 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Ronn Owens Program - Interview and Callers | Current Issues in California Family Law | 2014 |
The Ronn Owens Program - Interview and Callers | Current Issues in California Family Law | 2012 |
The Ronn Owens Program - Interview and Callers | Current Issues in California Family Law | 2011 |
Pro Per Clinic | Starting and Finishing Your California Divorce | 2011 |
Bar Applicant Workshop | How to Pass the California Bar Exam | 2011 |
Family Law Workshop | Custody Issues During Difficult Times | 2010 |
Student Workshop | Community Property Issues | 2009 |
Lawyer in the Library | Starting Your Dissolution Case | 2008 |
JFKU School of Law | Teaching assistant - law student substantive law exam and bar preparation | 2007 |
JFKU School of Law | Teaching assistant - law student substantive law exam and bar preparation | 2006 |
JFKU School of Law | Teaching assistant - law student substantive law exam and bar preparation | 2005 |
JFKU School of Law | Teaching assistant - law student substantive law exam and bar preparation | 2004 |
JFKU School of Law | Teaching assistant - law student substantive law exam and bar preparation | 2003 |
JFKU School of Law | Teaching assistant - law student substantive law exam and bar preparation | 2002 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Husband v. Wife | Husband successfully terminated his spousal support obligation. |
Mother v. Father | Wife successfully was awarded sole legal and physical custody, with permission to move wherever she wants. |
Husband v. Wife | Husband won trial decision upholding earlier separation date and preserving several million dollars of separate property earnings and acquisitions after separation. |
Girlfriend v. Boyfriend | Wife successfully obtained an annulment from the court on the basis of fraud, which expunged the marriage from having ever existed. |
Posted by Greg
July 12, 2010
Posted by JD
January 3, 2021
Posted by anonymous
December 18, 2019
Linda Garrett, Family Attorney on Nov 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Sparks has 10 years of family law experience.
Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on Jun 12, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Gary. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Katy Gronowski, Family Attorney on Nov 5, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
David Iancu, Family Attorney on Dec 2, 2010
Relationship: Other
Through his numerous posts on avvo, Attorney Sparks demonstrates a creativity, expertise and knowledge that is found in only the best lawyers. I would highly recommend this lawyer for your family law needs.
John McKindles, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 18, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work and his cogent, articulate and quality responses to the many questions posed on this site. His articles are well grounded and informative. As a fellow family law attorney, I empathize with the balance required between legal acumen and relational sensitivity which he brings to his practice. Anyone dealing with family law issues would be well advised to consult with Gary.
Donald Cobb, Family Attorney on Jul 13, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. I am familiar with Mr. Sparks from his many insightful and intelligent answers to questions posted on Avvo. Always willing to help out and give good concise answers. In the end, you may need to hire an attorney to get to the outcome you seek, but at least here you can get a good start with his informative answers, blogs, and legal guides.
Evan Braunstein, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 3, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
John Harding, Family Attorney on Aug 26, 2008
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work, ability, ethics, and professionalism. Having had the opportunity to work with Gary in a very difficult case for more than a year left me with nothing byt favorable impressions.
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