La Mesa Child Custody Lawyer

Child Custody Attorney in San Diego with Over 25 Years of Experience

Legal proceedings involving children can be emotionally and physically draining. As a child custody lawyer serving La Mesa, San Diego, and surrounding areas who has been working in this field since 1992, I understand the complexities and sensitive nature of family law cases, which is why I offer you legal assistance that is rigorous, yet empathetic to the needs of your family.

When navigating through the legal process in La Mesa, California, our San Diego child custody lawyer takes into consideration your unique needs and those of your family, ensuring that the relationship dynamics of your family are respected.

Whatever your desired outcome may be, our child custody lawyer in San Diego is here to help you.

Contact a La Mesa child custody attorney to schedule your free consultation. Give us a call at (619) 304-8499 today.

Why Hire a San Diego Child Custody Lawyer

There are certain situations you should hire a lawyer for child custody. Child custody lawyers can be influential advocates, particularly in situations that are complicated or include any form of abuse.

Hiring a San Diego child custody lawyer for legal counsel will help bring a bigger outcome in your custody cases. The family judge in La Mesa will wish to look carefully at the care and finances your child requires from you.

How is Child Custody Determined in La Mesa, CA?

During custody and visitation cases, judges in La Mesa consider several factors when making a decision, such as:

• The wishes of the children
• The age of the children
• Current and potential health, safety, and welfare of the children
• Any domestic violence charges on a parent's record
• Criminal history of both parents
• The amount of contact that each parent currently has with the child
• Any possible alcohol or drug use from parents
• Any mutual agreements that have been negotiated between parents

What Are the Different Types of Custody in La Mesa?

When it comes to custody and visitation cases, my aim is to act as your La Mesa child custody attorney to negotiate a mutual settlement between both parties out of La Mesa family court, thus saving all involved parties money and time.

While this is my preferred method, it doesn't always pan out this way. In cases where both parties cannot come to an agreement, the matter will be given over to a judge to decide.

The main topics that are discussed during custody and visitation cases in La Mesa, CA are:

• Legal custody, which gives the parent the right to make decisions about the child's education, medical care, and religious preference.
• Physical custody, which refers to the child's place of residence.
• Sole custody, which gives one parent full custody. This can apply to legal custody, physical custody, or both.
• Joint custody, which requires both parents to share custody. This can apply to legal custody, physical custody or both.
• Visitation, wherein one parent is given primary custody of the child, and the courts can grant visitation rights to the other parent.

Is California a Mother or Father State?

The state of California doesn't hold any bias or give preference to a parent based on gender.

Both the mother and father have equal right to legal and physical custody, so long as the father has been able to establish paternity.

Establishing paternity can be done either by signing a Declaration of Paternity at the hospital when the baby is born, or by filing for a paternity test with the La Mesa courthouse.

How Much Does a Custody Lawyer Cost?

Each child custody attorney in La Mesa, CA is different. You don’t want to go with the least expensive.

Most will charge an initial retainer and pull their hourly fees out of that retainer. You should be given a written contract that states exactly how the attorney does their billing, how much they charge and what they charge for.

How much you wind up paying will depend on you and the other party. The more you can agree on, the less your case will cost you.

If you cannot agree about everything and go to court often, it is going to be very expensive.

What is an Unfit Parent in San Diego CA?

During a divorce, San Diego County courthouse may need to determine if a parent is "unfit" for custody of children. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if the child's safety or well-being is at risk.

Here are some of the factors that are taken into account:

1) How involved was the parent in the child's life before the divorce? Are they familiar with the daily routine of the children?

2) Does the parent understand the needs of the child and how to communicate with them effectively about those needs?

3) Does the child have any ill-feelings towards the parent? Is there any fear based out of previous traumatic experiences?

4) Are there age-limit barriers set in place for things inappropriate for young children?

5) Does the parent seeking custody have a history of mental illness that impairs them from carrying out the role of being a responsible parent? Is there a history of substance abuse?

If you need any help with the process, our San Diego child custody lawyer can help.

Can I Move Out of San Diego With My Child?

Unless both parents agree, the relocating parent will need San Diego County courthouse approval to move away with the children, even if the move is within California.

Moving away is considered relocating to a distance that will interfere with the current custody arrangement, which is typically 50 miles or more.

For more information about my custody and visitation services in San Diego and surrounding areas, please give our La Mesa child custody attorney from the Law Offices of Andrea Schneider a call at (619) 304-8499 or contact us online.

Related Reading

• Adjust Time Sharing to Accommodate New Circumstances?
• How Does the Court Determine Child Custody in San Diego?
• Family Court Services & Child Custody Mediation
• Attorney Schneider Gives a Seminar on Representing Clients in Child Custody/Visitation or Support Cases