Child custody and support matters determine your children's future and your financial obligations. Whether establishing initial orders, modifying existing arrangements, or enforcing support obligations, our experienced family law attorneys protect your parental rights while prioritizing your children's best interests across Southern California.
From initial custody determinations to modifications and enforcement, we provide strategic representation in all child custody and support matters.
Immediate representation during CPS and DCFS investigations. Protect your rights from the first contact and prevent wrongful allegations from escalating.
Get Protected →Aggressive courtroom advocacy in dependency proceedings. Strategic defense to reunify families and fight false allegations.
Schedule Consultation →Challenge unfounded CPS/DCFS findings and remove your name from abuse registries. Restore your reputation and protect your future.
Clear Your Record →Comprehensive services to expedite reunification with your children. Navigate service plans and court requirements effectively.
Reunify Your Family →Proactive legal guidance before CPS/DCFS involvement. Know your rights and prepare your defense before allegations arise.
Get Prepared →Immediate response to emergency removal situations. Fight to keep your children home or achieve rapid reunification.
Emergency Help →We understand the emotional and financial stakes of custody and support matters. Our attorneys fight to protect your parental rights and your children's best interests.
Negotiate fair custody arrangements prioritizing your child's wellbeing and your parental time.
Life changes—we help modify existing custody orders when circumstances warrant it.
Ensure accurate support calculations based on California guidelines and your financial reality.
Establish and enforce visitation schedules that work for you and your children.
Collect unpaid child support or defend against unfair support claims.
Navigate move-away requests that impact custody arrangements and parenting time.
Strategic representation from initial consultation through final resolution.
We review your custody arrangement, support orders, income, and parenting time to develop a winning strategy.
Gather financial records, prepare petitions, and file all necessary paperwork with family court.
Work toward fair agreements through negotiation or mediation to avoid costly court battles when possible.
When settlement isn't possible, we provide aggressive courtroom advocacy to protect your rights.
Get answers to the questions our clients ask most often. Every case is unique — contact us for a free consultation specific to your situation.
California courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child under Family Code Section 3011. Factors include the child's health, safety, and welfare, the nature and frequency of contact with each parent, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse, and the child's ties to home, school, and community. Courts generally prefer arrangements that allow the child to maintain a close relationship with both parents.
Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and welfare. Physical custody refers to where the child primarily lives. Both can be sole (one parent has exclusive rights) or joint (both parents share rights and responsibilities). In California, joint legal custody is the most common outcome, while physical custody arrangements vary based on each family's circumstances.
California uses a statewide guideline formula under Family Code Section 4055 that considers each parent's income, the percentage of time the child spends with each parent, tax filing status, and allowable deductions such as health insurance and mandatory retirement contributions. The formula is designed to reflect the state's standard of living and the true cost of raising a child.
Yes. Either parent can request a modification by filing a motion showing a significant change in circumstances since the last order. Examples include a parent relocating, a change in the child's needs, a parent's remarriage, or documented concerns about the child's safety. Courts will evaluate whether the proposed change serves the child's best interests.
California has strong enforcement tools for child support collection including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, suspension of driver's and professional licenses, property liens, and credit reporting. An attorney can also file a contempt motion with the family court, which can result in fines or jail time for the non-paying parent.
No. If there is an existing custody order, a parent must obtain either written consent from the other parent or a court order permitting the relocation before moving the child out of state. Relocating without permission can be treated as parental abduction and result in serious legal consequences including loss of custody rights.
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