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 »
California Appellate Court Clarifies Rules of Evidence in Domestic Violence Custody Cases
In family law, few issues are more serious—or more complex—than allegations of domestic violence and child abuse. When these allegations arise, the court’s primary duty is to protect the child. A new decision from the California Court of Appeal, Marriage of M.P. and M.C. (2025), provides clarification on how courts address a child’s statements in… 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 »
Does Our California Court Still Have Child Custody Jurisdiction Even If I and my Ex Now Live in Different States?
Question: I have a child custody order from the Los Angeles Superior Court. Neither my Ex nor I live in California now. Our children are with me, and I would like to change the custody order. Can I do that in the Court where I live now? We never finished the case in California. No… 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 »
Navigating Mental Health Factors in California Family Law Court: A Guide for Contested Custody Cases
Navigating Mental Health Factors in California Family Law Court: A Guide for Contested Child Custody Cases Learn how mental health factors of parents are considered under the amendments to Family Code and how they impact contested custody cases in California Navigating Mental Health Factors in Contested Custody Cases: A New Era in California Family Law… Read More »
Learn How California Courts Deal with Child Custody Issues in Domestic Violence Restraining Order Cases
California laws regarding child custody and visitation in the context of Domestic Violence Restraining Order Cases have been changed. If domestic violence or drug/alcohol abuse is alleged, amended Family Code Section 3011(a) requires courts to consider virtual visitation and grant unsupervised visitation only if the court finds that such visits are in the child’s best… 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 »