Laurel Starks

Laurel Starks is a recognized and certified expert in divorce real estate, widely regarded by her peers as the pioneer of this specialized niche. An active Realtor since 2005, she has ranked among the top 1% of Realtors nationwide for more than a decade.
In 2017, Ms. Starks founded The Ilumni Institute, the national education and certification body for the Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE®) credential. Through Ilumni, she leads the training and mentorship of hundreds of real estate professionals across the country who specialize in family law cases.
Ms. Starks serves as an experienced expert witness and trained neutral in family law matters involving real property and is frequently appointed by the Superior Courts of California in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. She has handled more than 1,000 cases with a combined sales volume exceeding a quarter billion dollars.
In addition to facilitating the sale of real property, Ms. Starks advises, consults, and testifies in complex matters and provides fair market valuations, including those required for Moore/Marsden calculations. Recognizing the unique challenges of real estate in divorce, she developed a specialized listing protocol that anticipates, prevents, and mitigates conflict—streamlining efficiency and maximizing property value while maintaining neutrality.
Trained in divorce mediation under Forrest “Woody” Mosten and completing more than 45 hours of study, Ms. Starks was also the first known Realtor in the nation to complete Collaborative Divorce Team Training (2007).
The published author of The House Matters in Divorce, Ms. Starks is a frequent speaker and writer for state and national family law and real estate organizations.