Helping California Parents Protect Their Children
Nobody knows your children better than you do. That is why, if you are involved in a child custody or support case, you need a lawyer who will take the time to listen to your concerns and pursue the course of action that is right for you and your family.
At the Family Law Center — located just north of Santa Rosa, California — our two separate, solo attorneys* guide parents through litigation, negotiations and document preparation with respect to child custody and support issues. To schedule a free 30-minute consultation, contact us today.
Pursuing the Right Parenting Plan for Your Circumstances
In California, there is no presumption that a child's mother or father will get primary custody after a divorce or other breakup. The preference is for both parents to have frequent and continual contact with their children, which is often accomplished through joint custody.
The overall goal of the child custody process is to adopt a parenting plan that is in the best interests of the child, a standard that takes many different factors into account.
California also has a preference for parents to reach agreements on child custody rather than litigating these sensitive issues in court. In fact, you cannot bring a child custody dispute before a judge unless you have attended a mandatory family court services mediation conference.
Once a final child custody order has been issued, it can only be modified after showing a significant change in the underlying circumstances.
Establishing and Modifying Child Support Obligations
The California child support guidelines are an algebraic formula, taking into account the incomes of both parents, each parent's share of child custody and certain other factors. The family courts will only deviate from these guidelines for very specific reasons.
Either party can request a modification of an existing child support order if their financial circumstances or shares of custody time have changed. It is also possible to get a modification if your original child support order was not based on the current guidelines.
Child custody and support cases range from the very straightforward to the very complex. To discuss your particular circumstances with a knowledgeable attorney, please contact us.
*Becky Rasmason is a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California.
