Roy was raised in Chicago and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He relocated to California to attend the California Western School of Law, where he obtained his J.D. in 1988, graduating with honors. He thereafter passed both the California and Illinois bars, and he currently serves clients in and around the greater San Diego metropolitan area. Roy is experienced in all matters related to separation and divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, paternity proceedings, and modifications of final judgments, among other family law issues.
Attorney Roy Doppelt is the only San Diego Family Law Attorney who is 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Super Lawyer with over 30 years of experience representing clients in San Diego. Also, the author of "San Diego Legal Insider's Guide to Divorce, Legal Separation, and Paternity," I have attached a courtesy copy of his e-book (as quoted in LA times in 2021).
When a couple with young children is going through a divorce, child custody and visitation often becomes a complex and hotly contested issue. A court will focus on the best interests of the child when determining a custody arrangement. This can encompass a wide range of factors, including the ability of each parent to care for the child, any health issues related to the child or the parents, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse by a parent, and the child’s educational opportunities. A custody decision affects both where a child lives (physical custody) and which parent has the right to make important decisions for the child (legal custody). It is generally joint, but it can be awarded solely to one parent if the situation requires.
A court order regarding custody can be modified if one parent can show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances. If a parent who has custody seeks to relocate with the child, moreover, the court may need to revisit the custodial arrangement if the other parent opposes the move.
A child custody dispute is just one area in which Roy’s assistance and representation may prove vital in helping you move forward from a divorce.
Roy’s goal is to provide his firm’s clients with the support that they need in meeting their personal challenges. In family law matters, the situation can be emotionally charged even before any dispute develops, and the stakes are high for each spouse and their children. When your future is on the line, you should not try to navigate legal procedures and detailed statutes on your own. Roy keeps his clients informed about what the law requires, as well as the range of outcomes that they can realistically expect. He thoroughly lays out for his clients the different options available to them, as well as the short- and long-term consequences of pursuing any particular course of action.
In practical terms, Roy is conscious of his clients’ time and economic concerns. He tries to resolve cases efficiently, always bearing in mind a client’s specific goals and priorities. If you need a family law attorney in the San Diego area, you can count on him to be a zealous legal advocate on your behalf.
Education
J.D., California Western School of Law, San Diego
Dean's Award
B.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Jurisdictions Admitted to PracticeSouthern District of California, 1988
State of California, 1988
State of Illinois, 1988
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
San Diego County Bar Association
Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Awards and Honors
- - Award of Merit: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: In Recognition and Appreciation for Outstanding Commitment to the Protection of Children and Knowledge of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (2007)
- - Quoted: Featured: San Diego Magazine: April: Lawyers and Law Firms You Need to Know (2009)
- - "Who's Who in America" (2010 Edition)
- - Judge: University of San Diego: Moot Court Competition: September 25, 2009
- - Author: Legal Insider’s Guide to San Diego Divorce, Legal Separation and Paternity
- - Interviewed on San Diego NBC on October 5, 2011
- - Quoted in CNN/Money
- - Interviewed by the Attorney Reporter
- - Top 100 Attorneys: The National Advocates: 2014-2018
- - Martindale Hubbell: Very High Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards: 2003-2018 (15 years)
- - American Institute of Family Law: 10 Best Client Satisfaction: 2016-2017