Practice Areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in California since: 2010
Education: California Western School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2019 - 2020 Call today:
619-289-7948
Free Consultation Minella Law Group, APC
1450 Frazee RdSuite 305
San Diego, CA 92108 Visit website
Details
Kathy A. Minella is the founding attorney of Minella Law Group, APC, in San Diego, California. Ms. Minella concentrates her practice on family law and serves clients throughout the San Diego area. She handles matters involving divorce, adoption, child custody, child support, division of marital assets, domestic partnerships, military divorce, restraining orders, spousal support and visitation.
Board certified in family law by the State Bar of California, Ms. Minella has more than 10 years of experience in family law. In addition to her litigation skills, she is an experienced mediator and uses this training to help San Diego residents find the best solutions to their domestic-related legal issues. Ms. Minella is also on the minors counsel panel and is appointed by the court to represent children going through high conflict divorce and custody issues.
Ms. Minella earned a bachelor’s degree in interactive media from Columbia College. She relocated to San Diego to attend and graduate from California Western School of Law. While attending law school, she was a volunteer at the Madge Bradley domestic violence clinic. She received her California law license in 2010 and began practicing family law.
Following law school, Ms. Minella gained legal experience by working at a large San Diego-based family law firm. She went on to practice at a smaller firm before founding Minella Law Group, APC, in 2014. Dedicating her practice exclusively to family law enables her to provide the highest quality of service in all types of complex domestic matters.
Ms. Minella is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and the State Bar of California.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2010, California
Professional Webpage: https://minellalawgroup.com/about/
- California State Bar, Member 2010 - present
- Minors Counsel Panel for San Diego Superior Court, Member
- San Diego County Bar Association, member. 2010 - Present
- San Diego Family Law Bar Association, Member
- Was successful in opposing an international move away where Mother was seeking to move the 4 year old to Canada. Child stayed in San Diego where Father was able to maintain his 50/50 custody. , 2022
- Contested move away hearing where Mother was seeking to move with her young child. It was not recommended by Family Court Services, after a 2 day trial, the court agreed Mother was the primary and Father had engaged in domestic violence. The court granted the move away. , 2021
- Was successful in obtaining an order granting move away of child with Mother to Florida when Father was the primary custodial parent here in San Diego. Was a contested one day trial and allegations of postpartum depression. , 2022
- Received an order from the court denying the request for grandparent visitation based on Mom having sole legal and physical custody. I was successful in having the court deny at first hearing and not scheduling FCS. , 2022
- Successfully argued for an order for no spousal support to a military wife who was harassing husband's command for one half his BAH. The court agreed Wife had no need for support and she was able to fully support herself. Husband was in jeopardy of losing his job due to her contact to his command. , 2021
- Father was being asked to pay support for a child who he adopted that had severe mental health issues and was institutionalized by the school. As the school district was paying the fees for the institution, Father was being asked to reimburse. We successfully argued a deviaion from guideline due to the situation being completely involuntary and a result of the mental health issues of the child. She was a danger to herself and others and likely the result of being abused as a baby. The court agreed and deviated from the guideline calculation and had Father pay 25% of what he was being asked to pay. This was a significant savings to him. , 2020
- We represented a third party who had voluntarily parented a child since date of birth through the child's third birthday when mother randomly appeared and took the child. There was no guardianship so third party had no rights to keep the child. We were able to successfully get the third party parental rights which granted her custody and visitation rights to the child. , 2021
- Discussed the standard for custody in California. , Is California a 50/50 state, Legal, 2022
- Discusses how long divorce takes and what you can do to streamline your case. , How long will my divorce take?, Legal, 2022
- When does a person need a prenup?, Do I need a prenup?, Legal, 2022
- This video goes over the ability to terminate a parents right in a family law case. , Can You Request to Terminate Parental Rights?, Family Law, 2021
- This video details out the way virtual vistiation can be an aid in a custody proceeding. , Virtual Visitations as Part of a Divorce Solution, Family Law, 2021
- This is all about how to seek Grandparent visitation rights in California. , Grandparents' Visitation and Custody Rights in California: What To Know, Family Law, 2021
- Represented stay at home Father seeking dissolution spousal support and child support as well as 50/50 custody. , 2022
- Represented single mother seeking sole legal and physical custody as well as restraining order of her infant son. , 2022
- Represented CEO of tech company and negotiated the entire divorce without requiring a hearing. Division of assets, spousal support, division of stock and bonus income. , 2022
- Represented a high net worth Husband/Father seeking to limit his exposure on payment of long term support and additional support based on his stock options and bonuses received from his company. , 2021
- Represented a Father through a high conflict custody case where Mother was seeking to move to Canada. I assisted him through the custody evaluation as Mother was presenting a story of abuse and lack of co-parenting. Custody evaluation came back in our favor and the we were successful in maintaining his 50/50 custody of his 4 year old daughter. , 2020
- Represented a stay at home wife and mother of a surgeon seeking to maximize custody of her children and the amount of money she receives every month. , 2020
- Certified as a specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 2017
- Madge Bradley domestic violence clinic, volunteer
- Minors Counsel Panel for San Diego Superior Court.
- Rated by my Peers as Highest Ethical Standing., AV Rated Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected as the attorney of the month for August 2021 in the Attorney Journal. , Attorney of The Month, Attorney Journal, 2021
- Columbia College, Interactive multimedia, 2003
- California Western School of Law JD. , 2010
- A blog detailing out all the frequently asked questions about spousal support. , Blog, Spousal Support FAQ's, Minella Law Group, Family Law, 2021
- A blog talking about the ten benefits of adopting a child. , Blog, 10 benefits of adopting a child, Minella Law Group, Family Law, 2021
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2019 - 2020
Certificates and credentials
Family Law
