Divorce Helpline was founded in 1989 by California attorneys who envisioned an alternative to the traditional way of getting a divorce in California, and now in Texas, —a way to provide top quality legal access to couples who were getting or contemplating a divorce, but did not want to get involved in a damaging divorce process with attorneys fighting in court. This new approach pioneered by Divorce Helpline offers improvements to the outdated adversarial system, where husband and wife are pitted against each other in court, retaining expensive attorneys on each side.
Ed Sherman
Attorney since 1971
Co-founder – Author/Publisher
“What I like best is finding ways for people to work with the legal system–ways that create better options, reduce cost and conflict”
A family law attorney since 1970, Ed Sherman is founder of Nolo Press, author of ten books, partner in Sherman, Naraghi, Woodcock & Pipersky, and founder of Divorce Helpline.
Ed Sherman started Nolo Press in 1971 with his famous book, How to Do Your Own Divorce in California. Since then, his books and software have saved millions of people billions of dollars in unnecessary attorney fees, not to mention unnecessary pain, by helping them get better divorces.
In 1990, Ed opened Divorce HelpLine in California, redesigning the way lawyers work to deliver a service that is economical and useful to people doing their own divorces. People anywhere in California and Texas can call a toll-free number and get an appointment with a top divorce attorney who will answer their questions without trying to take over the case, or they will do all the paperwork for you. It costs only a fraction of the usual fee charged by family law attorneys.
Hamid Naraghi
Attorney since 1997
President
Attorney / Mediator / Arbitrator
“Although litigation is necessary in rare cases, settlement is often overlooked as a first option. My true passion is using my experience and knowledge to resolve issues in a civilized and compassionate manner as opposed to winning legal battles in court.”
Hamid Naraghi is the president of Divorce Helpline as well as partner in a family law litigation firm with offices in Northern and Southern California. Over the past 13 years, Hamid has gained extensive experience in family law litigation, mediation & collaborative divorce as well as arbitration. His combined background as a litigating attorney, mediator, arbitrator, licensed real estate broker, former police officer and licensed attorney in California and Texas provide him with a unique perspective that enables him to analyze and resolve complicated matters appropriately depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
William E. Woodcock
Attorney since 1998
Vice-President
Attorney / Mediator / Arbitrator
“Divorce Helpline provides legal services superior to what people receive from the court system, with a process that promotes peace and respect between the parties.”
Vice-president of Divorce Helpline as well as a partner in a family law litigation firm with offices in Northern and Southern California. Both an experienced mediator and an experienced family law litigator, Bill has argued before California Appellate Courts on international child custody disputes and Hague abduction cases, is certified as a pro tem Judge, and acts as an Arbitrator in mandatory fee arbitrations between attorneys and clients. For many years, Bill has worked closely with psychological professionals to address the developmental and psychological needs of children during the divorce process, an area of particular concern for him.
Charma Pipersky
Attorney since 1982
Pensions/QDROs
Mediator and Arbitrator
“I enjoy it when the light bulb goes on for my client when I explain property law. This knowledge creates solutions and brings peace of mind.”
A family law lawyer since 1982, left the world of expensive, contested divorces in 1990 — and joined the Divorce Helpline team, bringing with her the knowledge and experience gained when divorcing musicians, authors, and corporate executives. Her subsequent years at Legal Aid assisting the poor brought compassion to her family law work. For two decades Charma has specialized in pension distributions (drafting QDROs since 1987), high conflict and high net worth families. She strongly believes in the spouses’ rights to make family decisions. If your family’s divorce is complicated, emotionally or financially, call Charma for help.
Allison Hardin
Attorney since 2001
Consulting Attorney
Mediator
“It is satisfying to work for a firm whose goal is helping divorcing parties reach a solution they both can feel good about.”
Has been with Divorce Helpline since 1999 and is a trained and highly experienced collaborative law attorney and mediator. Her primary focus is to offer a multitude of options for people and to assist the client on reaching the best solution for them. She is an expert in pension distribution (QDROs) and the special challenges facing families of addiction. She is knowledgeable in the ever-changing area of Domestic Partnerships.
We are proud of the knowledge and expertise of our staff attorneys who will speak honestly with you about your choices. Our other staff will always treat you with respect and kindness.
Call us to learn about your rights, responsibilities options and our unique way of keeping your case out of court. Let us help you through this tough transition process – we can help take some of the burden of your divorce process away and assist you in discovering the best solution for your family. 1-800-359-7004.
