Lina Guillen

Attorney · UC Law San Francisco

Lina Guillen was a Legal Editor at Nolo and is an author and trial attorney with over 20 years of experience in a wide range of legal matters. She is an active member of the California State Bar and received her J.D. from UC Law San Francisco.

Lina has been quoted in several national newspapers, online publications, and print magazines, including The New York Times, CNBC, U.S. News, Kiplinger, HowStuffWorks, and Real Simple Magazine, and interviewed by reporter Vivien Lee for Spectrum News in New York.

Legal experience. Lina served as an extern for the Honorable Judge Susan Illston of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. After graduating, Lina practiced at several Bay Area firms, gaining experience in probate litigation, general commercial disputes, real property disputes, white collar crime, public agency, civil rights, employment law, and family law matters. She handled investigations, prepared motions, completed discovery, took and defended depositions, argued hearings, and conducted court trials.

Volunteer work. As a practicing attorney, Lina noted the disparity in outcomes between those who could afford lawyers and those who couldn’t. This inspired her to volunteer at various organizations, including Project Homeless Connect, the Justice & Diversity Center, and Legal Aid of Marin, where she provided free legal assistance to individuals with no access to attorneys.

Writing experience. In addition to law, Lina has always had a passion for writing. She was an editorial assistant for The Press Democrat newspaper, researching and editing major stories and writing smaller pieces for the paper. At Hastings, Lina served as the submissions editor for the Hastings Women's Law Journal.  She also took writing classes at the Writing Salon in San Francisco and studied Writing, Editing, and Technical Communication through the U.C. Berkeley Extension Program.

Working at Nolo. Lina’s legal experience, volunteer work, and writing background drew her to Nolo in 2012, where she felt she could put her skills to good use by assisting in Nolo’s mission to provide reliable legal information to consumers. As a Legal Editor, Lina has edited and coauthored Nolo books, managed the development of legal content on several Nolo websites, and written numerous legal articles on family law issues, LGBTQ law, and more.

She is the coauthor of Neighbor Law,  8th edition; Divorce & Money: How to Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce; Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples; and A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples.


Articles By Lina Guillen

Attempting to Hide Assets Before Divorce?
Learn why it's a bad idea to hide money and other assets in divorce, how you could be found out, and the consequences you could face.
Temporary Restraining Orders
Domestic abuse victims can ask the court to issue an order that directs the abuser to refrain from having any contact with the victim or the victim's children.
Changing the Amount of Spousal Support
When an alimony (spousal support) order is already in place, can it be changed? It depends.
Child Custody and Domestic Violence
Victims of domestic violence and their children have access to protection by law. Find out how to protect yourself and your children.
Can I Handle My Own Divorce or Should I Hire a Lawyer?
Take our free quiz for feedback on your divorce options, including DIY, mediation, and hiring a lawyer. You’ll also get a copy of our Complete Guide to Divorce.
No-Fault Versus Fault Divorce
In an effort to reject notions of fault in divorce proceedings, all states have now adopted some form of a “no-fault” divorce, which allows couples to end their marriage without airing their dirty laundry in court. The following article provides an overview of the differences between a fault and no-fault divorce.
Top Tips for Surviving Your Divorce With a Narcissist
How to deal with this difficult personality type during a divorce.
Validity of Foreign Divorces under New York Law
Divorce laws are different in every country and they may vary depending on regional, state or provincial laws, and even further on local customs, cultures and religion. With this complete lack of uniformity, should US courts recognize foreign divorces? What happens when a New York resident gets divorced in a foreign country?
What to Do If Your Ex Is Stalking You
Things to know if your ex-spouse (or former significant other) is stalking you.
Leaving an Abusive Relationship: How to Protect Yourself
Here are some steps to help protect yourself and your children when leaving an abusive relationship.