Certified Family Law Specialist

Maria Spear

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Maria Spear

About Maria

Experience & Education

Maria is a caring yet zealous advocate for her clients. She understands the serious and sensitive nature of practicing as a licensed family law attorney in Riverside County. Being fully bilingual, Maria successfully advocates for and represents the Spanish-speaking communities in her area. Growing up in a family of eight, Maria quickly learned the value of teamwork and the importance of achieving success via education. Maria was the first in her family to attend college, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from San Diego State University. She discovered her passion for the law while working as a legal assistant at a boutique bankruptcy firm where she observed that the profession was in need of strong, dependable, and charismatic women. Maria began her pursuit of a juris doctorate degree at Cal Western State University College of Law, ultimately graduating Magna Cum Laude and commencing her practice of law.

Areas of Specialization

Since being licensed, Maria has dedicated herself solely to the practice of family law. In addition to her litigation experience, Maria is a trained mediator, assisting parties in resolving their matters outside of the courtroom through mediation. Maria has represented clients in and out of court in all family law related matters throughout Riverside County including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support and spousal support, property division, domestic violence restraining orders (DVTRO) as well as juvenile law, including adoption and guardianship petitions. Maria has a deep understanding of custody/visitation issues from the working parent and stay-at-home parent’s perspective. She has experience working with court appointed minor’s counsel, marriage and family therapists, and custody evaluators hired by the parties to help the court make orders in the best interest of children.

Maria has experience working with these professionals on reunification therapies as well as navigating the mandatory Child Custody Recommended Counseling (CCRC) process that judges use as a guide when making temporary custody and visitation orders. She has advocated for clients before most, if not all, Riverside County judges, affording her clients additional insight throughout the process. Overall, Maria thrives at providing not only effective and zealous advocacy for her clients but doing so in a sympathetic and compassionate manner. In addition to being a member of the California State Bar Association, she is also a member of Southwest Riverside County Bar Association, Riverside County Bar Association, and San Diego Family Law Bar Association.

In The Community

When she is not working, Maria spends all her time going on adventures with her two boys and her husband. They enjoy everything from hiking, playing, and attending sporting events, and traveling in and out of the country. Maria and her husband are involved in the Menifee Valley Sports and Valley Wide Sports organizations.

Licenses & Certifications

Honors & Awards

Education

Professional Associations & Memberships

Languages Spoken

English
Spanish

Services Offered

Child Support

Make sure your child gets the financial support they need — whether you're requesting, modifying, or enforcing a support order.
Child Support

Child Custody

Protect your child’s well-being with help resolving custody disputes, modifying agreements, or handling move-away cases.
Child Custody

Divorce

Navigate the complex legal, financial, and emotional aspects of divorce with experienced, strategic representation.
Divorce

Post-Judgment Modifications

Make adjustments after your case ends. Modify child custody, child support, or spousal support orders and more.
Post-Judgment Modifications

Family Law Mediation

Resolve conflicts amicably. Our mediators specialize in divorce, custody, support, and property disputes to achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
Family Law Mediation

Restraining Orders

Get help securing or defending against a domestic violence (DVRO) or civil harassment restraining order (CHRO).
Restraining Orders

Domestic Violence

Our team of seasoned domestic violence attorneys can help you take legal action with confidence, find clarity, and move forward.
Domestic Violence

Paternity Actions

Establish or challenge legal parenthood to protect your rights and your child’s future.
Paternity Actions

Spousal Support

Secure fair spousal support outcomes whether establishing, mediating, or modifying spousal support.
Spousal Support

Locations Served

Riverside, CA
Overhead view of a residential California neighborhood with houses, streets, and greenery.
Riverside, CA
Maria Spear

Client Testimonials

It's not easy to combine pragmatism with something as personal as family law. Maria Spear has a unique ability to clearly and quickly distill empirical truth from the excess information and emotion that tend to muddy the waters of family and custody litigation. Unfortunately, it took an an extensive trial and error process to find this group. Heine is quoted saying "Experience is a good school. But the fees are high." As someone who is not big on online reviews, I'm writing this in thought of the next person who experiences the pains and uncertainty of this process: there is no substitute for excellent legal counsel when your family affairs' are in jeopardy. Cage & Mills is an excellent firm.

Tom Cassou

I cannot say enough good things about Maria and Cinthia and the firm! After a terrible experience with another firm who constantly had me working with different people, never following up with me, and dragging my case out for over a year, costing me so much money, I was discouraged to say the least. I came here where they listened to me, always got back to me quickly, and charged me fairly! Thanks to Maria listening to me and working with me, she got my case settled and got me everything I wanted within a few months of me switching to her as my lawyer. This firm helped me feel like I got my life back and they were such a blessing. They always communicated efficiently and I couldn't recommend a better firm!

Ashley a

Maria and Cinthia are an amazing team. They were very helpful in processing my divorce. Explaining all the details and filling out the paperwork. I highly recommend them.

Crystal T.

I'm so thankful I found Maria Spear! I interviewed 7 different Law Frims to find her! She is poised, well spoken, calm, great communicator and articulate! I'm just starting with Cage and Miles and so far this has been an easy clam experience. Very different experience from the first Law Frim I hired in 2021 when I first filed for my divorce! I'm very appreciative of Maria, Cynthia and Vivian! I feel extremely thankful!!!

Kalena Holmquist

I have been with Cage and Miles for a few year and I do highly recommend this law firm! I just finished a 7 day trial and was represented by Jillian Duggan-Herd and Maria Spear. Both attorneys are phenomenal! I have been represented by Jillian Duggan-Herd for over 7 years. Jillian is professional, knowledgeable, sharp, reliable and tenacious when necessary. Nothing can compare to the comfort of knowing you have an attorney like Jillian in your corner!

Nancy Emma

I can't express how grateful I am to have Maria Spear as my attorney! She has been a wealth of knowledge and wisdom regarding my legal situation regarding my son's father. I truly appreciate her timely communication and care for my concerns. Maria has been very professional and is genuinely interested in my situation. I feel Maria represented me well at a recent court appearance and I was extremely happy with the outcome. I will absolutely be continuing to use Maria for further proceedings. I would highly recommend Cage & Miles. Maria Spear is amazing!

Sara English

Excellent experience! Maria Spear (Family Law Lawyer @ Cage & Milles, LLP) was excellent. Not only did she take the time to review my case, but also was quick in responding truthfully to any questions or concerns that I had. As family law can be a sensitive matter Maria showed the utmost professionalism in handling my case. I would highly recommend Maria to anyone that is looking for an honest and professional lawyer. Cage & Miles, LLP as a whole had excellent customer service from the paralegals to the billing department.

Shayla Grinage

Great Legal Team!! Professionals who know what they are doing and will help you every step of the way. Maria Spear is a knowledgeable, experienced and proficient Attorney. The office staff is very helpful....especially Cinthia Sandes. Highly recommended!!!

Steve Porter
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