A Family Law Attorney with Strategic Insight and Genuine Compassion
Serving Orange County · Los Angeles County · San Bernardino County
Family Law·Divorce·Child Custody and Visitation·Spousal and Child Support·Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Every Family Is Different.
Your Case Should Be Handled That Way.
Family law problems rarely fit a formula. I listen first, then build a legal strategy around your specific situation — your finances, your children, and your goals — and see it through to resolution.
20+ Years
Practicing Family Law Exclusively
A Problem Solver
Practical Strategies, Not One-Size-Fits-All
Beyond the Law
Trained in Clinical Psychology and Social Work
Practice Areas
No two families — and no two cases — are alike. Most situations don’t fit neatly into on category, and they shouldn’t have to. These are the areas where I most often help clients; whatever yours looks like, we will find the right path forward together.
Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage)
From uncontested dissolutions to high-conflict litigation, I handle every stage: filing or responding, financial disclosures, negotiation, settlement, and trial when necessary — resolving
your case as efficiently as your circumstances allow.
Every divorce deserves a legal strategy tailored to your unique goals, priorities, and future.
Child Custody & Visitation
Drawing on my background in clinical psychology and social work, I help parents build custody and parenting plans focused on their children’s best interests — including move-away requests and modifications of existing orders.
Every child deserves a parenting plan focused on their best interests.
Division of Property
I regularly handle complex property division — real estate, retirement accounts (CalPERS, CalSTRS, and private plans), and business interests — and work with forensic accountants when tracing or valuation is required.
Every property division begins with protecting what you've built.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
I represent both petitioners seeking protection and respondents defending against restraining order requests. These cases move quickly and can have serious consequences for custody, housing, employment, and personal safety. Careful preparation and timely representation are critical from the very beginning.
Every person deserves to feel safe and protected under the law.
Legal Separation
Legal separation resolves property, support, and custody without ending the marriage. It may be the right option depending on your family's circumstances. I help you decide whether separation or divorce better serves your goals.
Every family deserves the legal solution that best fits their goals.
Child & Spousal Support
I establish, modify, and enforce support orders, including cases involving self-employment income, business owners, and disputed earning capacity. Your order should reflect your real
financial circumstances.
Every support order should reflect your real financial circumstances.
International & Korean-Related Matters
I represent both petitioners seeking protection and respondents defending against requests. These cases move quickly and affect custody, housing, and safety, so careful preparation from the start
is critical.
Every international family matter deserves a strategy that works across borders.
About - Attorney Profile
M. Teri Lim, Esq.
Principal Attorney
For more than twenty years, I have practiced family law exclusively, guiding clients through divorce, custody, support, and property division across Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.
Before becoming an attorney, I served Los Angeles County families as a children’s social worker with the Department of Children and Family Services and as a psychiatric social worker with the Department of Mental Health, working directly with domestic violence victims and families in crisis. That experience shapes how I practice: family law is never only about documents — it is about children, safety, financial security, and rebuilding a life. Few family law attorneys bring this depth of clinical experience to the courtroom. To every case — including complex matters involving retirement accounts, real property, business interests, and international dimensions — I bring both legal strategy and a trained understanding of family dynamics.
My promise to every client is simple: an honest assessment of your case, a strategy built for your specific situation — not a template — and clear communication from beginning to end.
Education
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J.D., Southwestern Law School
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M.S. Clinical Psychology, Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University
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M.S. Social Work, Bryn Mawr College School of Social Work and Social Research
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B.A. History, UCLA
STRATEGIC
Problem Solver
Ready to Negotiate. Ready to Fight.
At a Glance
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20+ Years of Family Law - and Nothing Else
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Trained in Law, Clinical Psychology & Social Work
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Former DCFS Children's Social Worker & DMH Psychiatric Social Worker
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Trusted Advocate for Domestic Violence Victims & Families in Crisis
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Serving Orange, Los Angeles & San Bernardino Counties
Clinical & Social Work Experience
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Children’s Social Worker, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
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Psychiatric Social Worker, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH)
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Direct experience supporting domestic violence victims and families in crisis
Contact
The first step is a consultation. You will speak directly with me — not a case manager or assistant — and leave with an honest assessment of your situation and your options.
Consultations are available in English or Korean.
Law Office of M. Teri Lim & Associates
(714) 449 - 3338
1440 N. Harbor Blvd., Suite 900 Fullerton, CA 92835
Serving Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties
Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, and information sent through this form is not confidential until a representation agreement is signed. Please do not include sensitive details. This website is attorney advertising; the information here is general in nature and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Many people are unsure where to begin. The first step is simply understanding where you are now. Schedule an initial consultation to review your situation, explore your options, and identify the next steps that make sense for you.