How much does it cost to hire Katherine for a child custody case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Katherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Katherine offer a free consultation?

Katherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check Katherine's current terms during booking.

How long do child custody cases in California typically take?

Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Katherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Katherine take my case if I'm outside Monterey?

Katherine is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Katherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Katherine?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Katherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Katherine accepting new child custody clients right now?

Katherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Katherine June Dorset, Child Custody Attorney in Monterey, California

Over 38 years of legal practice · focused on Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce · 2.0/5 rating from 4 verified client reviews

MemberatLaw Offices of Katherine J. Dorset

Monterey, CA

Practicing child custody in Monterey since 1988.

38+: Years practicing
2.0 ★: 4 client reviews
5: Bar admissions

Practices in

Child Custody Child Support Divorce Estate Litigation Family Law Litigation +2 more →

Are you Katherine June Dorset?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Katherine June Dorset is a member based in Monterey, CA. The practice focuses on Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce. Katherine has over 38 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices of Katherine J. Dorset. Rated 2.0 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.

Based in: Monterey, CA
Experience: over 38 years
Known for: Child Custody · Child Support · Divorce

Handles Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce matters from Monterey, CA.
Over 38 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Katherine takes on

Katherine concentrates on child custody, child support, divorce, estate litigation, and family law. Each area below outlines the kind of case Katherine handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Child Custody cases in Monterey, California

Katherine takes child custody matters in Monterey, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Child Support cases in Monterey, California

Katherine takes child support matters in Monterey, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Divorce cases in Monterey, California

Katherine takes divorce matters in Monterey, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Estate Litigation cases in Monterey, California

Katherine takes estate litigation matters in Monterey, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Family Law cases in Monterey, California

Katherine takes family law matters in Monterey, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Katherine June Dorset — child custody lawyer in Monterey

Katherine June Dorset is a lawyer practicing real estate litigation, family law, divorce and 4 other areas of law. Katherine received a B.A. degree from University of California at Santa Cruz in 1983, and has been licensed for 38 years. Katherine practices at Law Offices of Katherine J. Dorset in Monterey, CA.

How Katherine handles child custody matters

The kind of cases Katherine takes

Katherine reviews new inquiries case-by-case for child custody, child support, and divorce matters in Monterey and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California
J.D. · 1988
University of California at Santa Cruz
B.A. Politics · 1983

Jurisdictions

Katherine's state bar admissions

U.S. District Court,
1992 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1992 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1989 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1988 · ACTIVE
California
1988 · ACTIVE

Katherine studied at J.D. in Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California and B.A. Politics in University of California at Santa Cruz.

Law school and academic background

Katherine completed J.D. in Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California and B.A. Politics in University of California at Santa Cruz. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Katherine runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

Katherine's professional memberships and bar associations

State Bar of California
membership

Locations

Katherine June Dorset's office in Monterey

Katherine's primary office is at 362 Pacific St., Ste. 1, Monterey, CA, 93940-2400. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Law Offices of Katherine J. Dorset

362 Pacific St., Ste. 1

Monterey, CA 93940-2400

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Katherine June Dorset — 2.0/5 rating from 4 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Katherine. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing child custody attorneys in Monterey.

2.0

4 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Katherine June Dorset claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Katherine June Dorset — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new child custody attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Katherine usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Katherine charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Katherine will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a child custody attorney in Monterey, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many child custody matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Katherine

Katherine discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in child custody practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every child custody matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Katherine confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Katherine's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many child custody practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Katherine June Dorset

How much does it cost to hire Katherine for a child custody case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Katherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Katherine offer a free consultation?
Katherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check Katherine's current terms during booking.
How long do child custody cases in California typically take?
Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Katherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Katherine take my case if I'm outside Monterey?
Katherine is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Katherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Katherine?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Katherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Katherine accepting new child custody clients right now?
Katherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Child Custody attorneys serving Monterey, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

Katherine handles child custody matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified child custody attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Katherine's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these child custody attorneys in Monterey handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.