Meet Neil Forester

Background: As a child of divorce and the youngest of four brothers, I grew up learning the value of compromise over conflict. My high school debate team showed me the power of language and sparked my interest in law. My path wasn’t linear — I paid my own way through college a semester at a time, often stepping out to work full-time in restaurants, where I learned people skills that still serve me today. From Sacramento State to McGeorge School of Law, and then private practice in three regional firms (including five years as a managing partner), I built the experience and leadership that shape my work today.

Credentials & Training: Licensed in California since 2004, my practice is now centered around helping families resolve disputes outside the courtroom. I’m a Certified* Family Law Specialist, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and hold an LLM in Dispute Resolution with a concentration in Mediation from the Straus Institute at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law. That mix of courtroom experience and advanced ADR training allows me to guide parties toward realistic expectations, durable settlements, and agreements that stand the test of time. I’ve often been described as unflappable, and I carry that even keel into my mediation work — a steady presence when emotions run high.

*CFLS, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

From Common to Complex: Family law touches every part of life — from dividing property to planning parenting schedules. I help with everyday issues as well as situations where finances, careers, or family dynamics add extra layers of complexity.

Common Issues I Help Resolve

• Divorce and legal separation: Ending a marriage or partnership; dividing property, assets, and debts (including businesses or high-value assets); determining spousal support (alimony)
• Agreements before or after marriage: Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Parenting and support; Child custody and parenting plans; visitation schedules, holidays, and vacations; child support and college expenses; relocation and move-away requests
• Post-divorce modifications; Updating custody, visitation, or support orders when circumstances change
• Other family matters: Blended family and co-parenting arrangements; family business succession planning; disputes over inherited property

Clients with Complex Situations

I also work with parties whose circumstances make cases more sensitive or financially complex, such as:

• High-net-worth individuals with significant assets, investments, or business interests
• Family business owners and entrepreneurs working through divorce or succession planning
• Licensed professionals (lawyers, doctors, accountants, etc.) whose practices must be valued or divided
• Executives, startups founders, and professionals with stock options, equity stakes, or venture-backed businesses
• Clients with complex assets like cryptocurrency, digital holdings, or multi-property real estate portfolios
• Artists, musicians, athletes and content creators balancing intellectual property, royalties, sponsorships, or unique income streams
• Military families navigating deployments, relocation, and custody schedules
• Law enforcement, first responders, and government employees with pension or benefit division issues
• LGBTQ+ couples and modern families with issues related to parentage, cohabitation, or alternative structures
• International families with cross-border custody or property disputes
• Retired or long-married couples facing division of pensions, retirement accounts, and estate considerations
• Second marriages and blended families balancing new and existing commitments
• Clients who benefit from added expertise in the room — from forensic accountants and financial analysts to therapists and consulting attorneys

My Professional Network: No two families face the same challenges. Some cases are straightforward, while others raise financial or personal questions that require extra expertise. Over the years, I’ve built a trusted Sacramento-area and statewide network of professionals I can bring in when needed — including forensic accountants, certified divorce financial analysts, business valuation experts, therapists, and consulting attorneys. Having the right people in the room helps couples make informed decisions and keeps cases moving toward resolution.

Volunteer Work: Giving back has always been part of my professional life. I spent more than a decade with WEAVE, Sacramento’s primary provider of services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, serving as Board Chair (2017–2018) and helping launch WEAVE Legal to expand affordable legal help. That work was recognized with the “Hero of Human Services” and “Pro Bono Award” honors.

I’ve also served on the board of NorCal Boxer Rescue and fostered/adopted Boxers with my wife, including our current deaf girl. Earlier in my career, I coached the Mira Loma High School Speech and Debate Team, growing it five-fold and helping dozens of students qualify for national competition. Today, I give back in El Dorado County family court, guiding volunteer attorney mediators through a 20-hour training program.

Over the years my work has been recognized by peers and the community, including:

• The Best Lawyers in America® (Family Law & Family Law Mediation, Sacramento), 2025–2026
• Northern California Super Lawyers (Family Law), 2017–2025
• Top 25 Sacramento Super Lawyers, 2020–2021
• Top Lawyers, Sactown Mag (formerly Sacramento Magazine), 2015–2024
• Pro Bono Award, Placer County Bar Association, 2019
• Hero of Human Services, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, 2014
• New Group Leader of the Year, ProVisors SAC1, 2023

Speaking & Writing: I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned about family law and dispute resolution. Over the years I’ve presented at continuing legal education programs, panels, and community workshops, covering topics from mediation strategy to family court realities. I’ve served as an Adjunct Professor at McGeorge School of Law, where I developed and taught a Family Law Trial Skills course. I’ve also authored chapters for Continuing Education of the Bar publications and written articles in local magazines — all with the goal of making family law more understandable and providing practical tools for resolving conflict.

Outside of work, I keep my mind sharp with daily crosswords, my kitchen busy with food experiments, and my weekends relaxed with e-bike rides along the American River trails. I’m a devoted supporter of Sacramento Republic FC and Tottenham Hotspur, and happiest at home with my wife and our Boxer dogs.