Anaheim Child Custody Lawyer2023-12-13T11:37:59+00:00

Going through a divorce or separation with children involved is never easy. These cases can be stressful and emotional, especially when there are disagreements between the parents. The most important thing in any child custody case is the health and well-being of the children involved. All custody arrangements in California must be approved by a judge. If parents cannot amicably agree on custody that works for them and their children, the matter will be decided by the judge. When child custody decisions go to court, it’s crucial to have experienced legal help that you can trust to represent you and your children. If you or someone you love are dealing with child custody issues in Anaheim, California, theDorie A. Rogers can help you come to a solution.

The Dorie A. Rogers for Orange County Child Custody

With over three decades of experience practicing the law, Dorie A. Rogers has dedicated her life and her practice to helping families find solutions to difficult legal situations. She is certified as a family law specialist, which is a hard-to-obtain title granted by the State Bar of California. This designation is given to those who demonstrate extensive knowledge of the law and complete rigorous certification training. The Dorie A. Rogers is committed to helping families through even the toughest of situations.

What Is Anaheim Child Custody and What Does It Involve?

Child custody is a legal term that’s used to describe the guardianship of a child that is granted to a parent. There are different forms of legal custody that can be granted to parents or guardians, depending on the circumstances at hand. For example, some forms of custody only allow one parent to have their children live with them, while other forms allow children to freely go between their separated parents’ homes. Regardless, any form of child custody involves the general care of a child, which means that you must meet their emotional, physical, medical, and financial needs. As a parent or guardian with custody, you are not only expected to properly provide for your child but also give them a safe space to live.

Different Forms of Child Custody

Every child custody case is extremely different from the next. Because of this, the law provides multiple forms of custody with varying guidelines to best suit each individual case. The different kinds of custody you should be familiar with include:

Physical Custody

Simply put, physical custody refers to where a child is living physically and being cared for. There are two main forms of physical custody:

  • Sole Physical Custody or Primary Custody
    Sole physical custody is also commonly referred to as “primary custody.” Both of these terms are used to describe a situation where a child lives with one parent full-time. In this case, the parent is considered the child’s primary caregiver. The parent who is granted primary custody is known as the custodial parent. In many cases,when sole physical custody is awarded to one parent, the other parent is granted visitation time or visitation days with their children on a pre-determined schedule. The parent who does not have sole custody is referred to as the non-custodial parent.However, depending on the circumstances, the non-custodial parent may not be granted visitation rights, and they may not be allowed to see their children without court approval first. This can occur if a parent was found to be abusive. One of the most common examples of sole custody with visitation is when a couple divorces and a parent is granted primary custody over the children, and the non-custodial parent is given visitation rights every other weekend.
  • Joint Custody
    Joint physical custody allows for children to live with both of their parents, either on a set schedule or as decided. With joint custody, parents can split time with their children how they see fit, typically giving their children the opportunity to still spend equal time with both of them. It is important to note that though custody can be shared equally, it does not always have to be. Joint custody can take on a variety of different forms, such as:

    • Children live with one parent during the school year and one parent during the summer
    • Children live with one parent during the week and the other on the weekend
    • Children switch between homes at the beginning of each month
    • Children switch between homes on a weekly basis

Legal Custody

Under California law, legal custody gives a parent the right to make important decisions on their child’s behalf. Until a child turns 18, parents with legal custody can make decisions on their child’s welfare, education, religious upbringing, and medical care. The two main forms of legal custody include:

  • Joint Legal Custody
    If joint legal custody is given to parents when a divorce occurs, then they both have the right to make decisions on their children’s behalf. With joint legal custody, both parents must agree on a decision before it is finalized.
  • Sole Legal Custody
    If a parent is granted sole legal custody over their children, then they are allowed to make decisions on the children’s welfare and well-being without the other parent having to agree. The court may grant sole legal custody to one parent if the other parent was abusive or removed from the child’s life.

Child Support in California

Child support is a payment made from the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to ensure that the children’s needs can still be properly met. The amount of the payment is determined by the court and depends heavily on the unique situations of each case. The court takes into consideration factors such as the number of children involved and the income of both parents. Child support is usually paid on a monthly basis, but in some circumstances, it may be weekly or bi-weekly. Child support is a legal agreement; if your partner refuses to pay child support,the order can be reinforced to ensure that your children are still taken care of.

Why Hire a Child Custody Attorney in Anaheim?

Child custody cases often involve many stressful circumstances that can be even harder to navigate without the help of a lawyer. You should consider hiring an experienced child custody attorney if:

  • The Other Parent Has a Lawyer
    If the other parent has hired a lawyer, it’s crucial that you find a family law attorney that you can trust. Without a lawyer, it can be hard to represent you and your children’s needs the way you want. A child custody attorney has a vast knowledge of the law and can fight for the best outcome.
  • There Are Consistent Disagreements
    If you and your ex-partner are constantly disagreeing or arguing, it’s best to hire a lawyer to help. If parents are unable to come to agreements, the decisions will most likely be handled by the judge. Having a lawyer to represent and support you is essential if your case goes to litigation.
  • You’re Worried About Your Child
    If you are worried about the potential outcome of your child custody case or disagree with the decision that was already made, it’s time to get a lawyer. The court’s responsibility is to keep the best interests of the children involved in mind. If you believe the best interests of your children are at risk, you can take it to court.

Family Law FAQs:

Q: How do I file for custody of my child in Los Angeles?

A: To file for a specified form of custody, you’ll need to open a case in the family court. It’s best to hire a family law attorney to help you through the process and assist you in filing and fighting for the custody you desire.

Q: How much does a child custody lawyer cost in California?

A: While the rates of every law firm might vary, you’ll find that most child custody lawyers in California will charge a flat fee or an hourly rate.

Q: How can I fight full custody in California?

A: To fight a decision on a child custody case, you’ll need an experienced attorney to help you dispute it. They’ll be able to take you through the process of appealing a family court ruling and represent your side of the case.

Q: What forms do I need to file for custody in California?

A: There are a variety of forms that you need to complete and submit to file for custody once you have opened your case, including:

  • Request for Order Form
  • Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment
  • Proof of Personal Service Form
  • Responsive Declaration to Request for Order Form

The Dorie A. Rogers for Child Custody Services

No matter what situation you might find yourself in, it’s essential to have an experienced family law attorney that you can trust to help you through it. Dorie A. Rogers has been serving families across California for over three decades and can assist you with matters from child custody to child support reinforcement. To learn more about the Dorie A. Rogers’ services or how she can assist your child custody case, reach out today.

Reviews Quotes
“Dorie is a very powerful attorney and a great asset to have on your side in any family legal matter. She is extremely bright and insightful, and I got everything I asked for in my lawsuit.”
Brit B.
“I would strongly recommend Ms. Dorie Rogers for any legal needs. During my Divorce proceedings, Dorie’s professionalism, expertise in Divorce Law and legal skill helped bring my case to a close in both a timely and mutually agreeable manner.

Additionally, Dorie took the time to understand me and my background to better represent me in my case. She showed a level of caring and concern that helped me through a very difficult time. She is an outstanding lawyer and wonderful person.”

Alan M. Greenberg
“Second to none – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dorie to anyone. She was my attorney for my divorce and custody case. She will do everything it takes to get the job done and all with a smile on her face. Her knowledge and expertise will assist anyone in a family law situation get the results they want.”
Todd M.

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