Securing Your Future: A Comprehensive Guide to California Parentage Actions and Choosing the Right Attorney
Securing Your Future: A Comprehensive Guide to California Parentage Actions and Choosing the Right Attorney For parents who were never married, establishing a legal relationship with their child—and securing court orders for custody, visitation, and support—requires navigating the legal system through what is known in California as a Parentage Action, formerly known as a Paternity… Read More »
A New Case Allows Some Fathers to Challenge Paternity and Child Support Even If They Signed a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity
To challenge a California Voluntary Declaration of Paternity (VDOP), the putative father may need to file a court request (Form FL-280) to cancel it, which involves getting a court hearing date, notifying the other parent, and potentially requesting genetic testing, with strict deadlines and grounds like fraud or coercion, especially if more than 60 days… Read More »
There Is a Big Difference Between Child Custody Orders Issued While a Divorce Case Is Going On and Child Custody Orders Issued with the Divorce Judgment
In a California divorce, a child custody order issued during the proceedings is a “temporary order.” Lawyers and judges call this type of order a Pendente Lite order. Temporary Orders provide stability while the case is pending, and a child custody order issued with the final judgment is a Final Order that resolves custody matters permanently until a… Read More »
WILL THE COURT CONSIDER ORDERING A DECREASE IN PARENT’S CUSTODY TIME FOR FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT?
The Court will not order a decrease in custody time as a sanction for failing to pay child support. But, the Court can and does put the hurt on the parent that fails to pay child support in other ways. The Court can order monetary sanctions, and in conjunction with the State and County Government… Read More »
How to Present Evidence in a Child Custody Case in California
QUESTION: How do you document your evidence in a child custody case? How do you organize it and present it to the Court? I am currently in a child custody case with my ex. I have numerous text messages and screenshots showing relevant events and facts I believe the judge should consider at our child… Read More »
I Have Legal and Physical Custody of My Child Do I Need to File a Motion to Change Their School?
Question: I am in the process of divorce. I have been awarded sole legal and physical custody. Father has visitation on weekends. Which motion do I need to file to inform the court of my intention to change the minor child’s school in Los Angeles California? I am also requesting visitation changes to the order. Can… Read More »
Learn About Obtaining Information For a Domestic Violence Case from the Adverse Party
As of January 1, 2024, the Civil Discovery Act does not apply to matters under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) absent a good cause showing. INTRODUCTION: The applicability of the Civil Discovery Act to DVPA matters was a point of contention. In cases of alleged Domestic Violence some litigants would seek discovery under the… Read More »
Understanding Your Rights After a Custody Hearing in a California Paternity Case
I often receive questions about Findings and Orders After Hearing in California Paternity Cases similar to this one: QUESTION: “Have I received temporary child custody orders or a final judgment? I am currently in a parentage case in CA. I have been told (by a judge) I am a presumed father and was given… Read More »