Los Angeles Interstate Custody Attorney

Working to come to an agreement about child custody can be a messy, overwhelming process. Not only do emotions run high, but there is a lot you are at risk of losing. You can strengthen your case by hiring a Los Angeles Interstate Custody Lawyer.

Having a local lawyer on your side, advocating for you and the vision you have for your family, can lead to better outcomes and peace of mind. You have a right to pursue custody of your children, and the right family lawyer will be able to help you every step of the way.

Contact the Dorie A. Rogers

When you first step into our offices, we will walk you through the entire process, so you will know what to expect. Taking the time to understand your family dynamics and goals, we will help you develop a strategy at our first meeting. From that point forward, we will continue to pursue your rights in accordance with our strategy whether it is with hearings or negotiations until the time of trial or conclusion by settlement.

With our strategic planning we will be prepared from the onset to accomplish our goals regardless of the challenges we encounter. Gathering all of your financial information we will collect a complete picture as we determine if outside experts should be brought in to strengthen your case. We work with a network of forensic accountants, psychologists, and investigators in order to best assist our clients in furthering their goals. We can also refer you to counselors as needed.

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Equal Rights for Both Parents

California has just under nine million children residing in the state. Of those, about a third live in single-parent households.

The law in California has been intentionally set up in such a way that both mothers and fathers have an equal right to custody of their children. This includes the equal right to pursue the following:

Decision making
Parenting time
Modification of custody
Protection against false-allegations

This means that whether you are the mother or father of the child, you have a right to seek legal representation and fight for your right to custody.

The Different Kinds of Custody

Before you start pursuing custody, it is important that you understand the various options you have as a parent in California. There are two main types of custody: physical custody and legal custody.

Physical Custody

Physical custody involves the child living with the parent. If needed, the court will help parents decide how much time a child lives with each parent. This can be affected by several circumstantial elements, including but not limited to where the child attends school and how much time and assistance the parents can offer the child. The child’s need always comes first and will play a huge part in deciding how much physical custody each parent is eligible for.

Joint. With joint physical custody, the child lives with both parents for a court-decided amount of time (i.e., Dad gets Monday-Thursday morning, and Mom gets Thursday evening-Sunday).
Sole. Sole physical custody occurs when the court decides the child is better off living with just one parent. This does not necessarily mean the other parent is unfit. Rather, it could happen because one parent travels a lot for their job or lives far away from the child’s set-up support system, school, and friends. There are less favorable reasons to be considered, as well, such as drug abuse or lack of a secure living situation.

This is all in accordance with California Family Code § 3025.

Legal Custody

Legal custody relates to each parent’s right to be involved in the making of parental decisions. This includes education, medical care, religion, and more. While a child may not live with both parents if they have joint legal custody, the parent without physical custody still has a right to be involved in the parenting process unless predetermined by the court.

Joint. Joint custody, once again, enables both parents to be involved in decisions regarding how the child will be parented and raised. This includes taking them to religious services, receiving vaccines, and what school they will attend.

- Sole. California Family Code § 3006 states that, in the case of sole legal custody, one parent will be in charge of making all of the decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. They will not be legally required to come to an agreement with the child’s other parent. This conclusion is usually made by the court when allegations of abuse arise, or the court has any reason to doubt the ability of one of the parents to raise the child safely and healthily.

It is possible that you and your former partner already have a child custody agreement in mind. This is the preferred situation, as there will be less tension and in-fighting. Still, it is a wise idea for both of you to hire separate legal representation. Your child custody lawyer will be able to help you properly document whatever decision you and your spouse or the court come to, cutting down on the unnecessary confusion and chaos that often accompanies custody battles.

FAQs

How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost in California?

In California, the overall cost of a child custody lawyer varies. The complexity level of your case and how long your case takes to reach resolution all factor into the overall cost. You deserve to have an advocate on your side who is worthy of every second and penny you spend, and The Dorie A. Rogers, APC, will prioritize you and your goals every time.

How Does Custody Work When Moving Out of State?

If you are planning to move out of the state of California and are currently under a joint custody agreement, you will need to receive permission from the court before moving with your children. This will involve filing a petition with the court that demonstrates the move is in the best interest of the child.

Is California a 50/50 State for Child Custody?

While joint custody is encouraged, courts in the state of California will not presume that this is a custody arrangement that works with your goals and situation. There are various factors in each case that may impact whether or not a 50/50 child custody arrangement is granted, such as the safety of the child or the ability of both parents to care for the child.

Do California Courts Favor Mothers in Custody Battles?

In the state of California, the law has been written to offer mothers and fathers equal rights when it comes to the pursuit of child custody. While there is a long history of people assuming mothers are favored over fathers, the law is an equalizer, setting both parents with equal opportunity to gain custody.

Get Assistance Today

Trying to gain custody of your child can be overwhelming and discouraging. The Dorie A. Rogers, APC, is prepared to help you start the legal custody process, helping you navigate it step by step with compassion and insight. Contact us for a consultation today.

“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.

Los Angeles Interstate Custody Lawyer