Child Custody & Support Guidance You Can Trust

Child Custody Lawyer Simi Valley

At Dallara Law, we have a reputation for being problem solvers who help clients settle highly contested family law cases as peacefully as possible. This is especially true in child custody and support situations. When handling these matters, our priority is doing what is best for our clients’ children and their families’ future. If you trust your case with our firm, you can expect us to be attentive to your needs, supportive in difficult times, and innovative in the face of challenges.

Our team understands that each family situation is unique, requiring personalized strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes. We take the time to listen and understand your specific circumstances, ensuring that the solutions we provide are tailored to your family’s needs. Our goal is to offer peace of mind by guiding you through the legal process with compassion and clarity.

Discuss the details of your situation and our offerings in a free consultation. Call (805) 456-1066 to schedule yours. We proudly serve clients throughout Simi Valley, the Conejo Valley, and Ventura County.

What to Know About Child Custody in California

California parents can have legal and/or physical custody. If you have legal custody, you can make decisions about your child’s education, healthcare, and general welfare. Should you have physical custody, your child will live with you the majority of the time.

It is crucial to understand that both types of custody significantly impact the child's life and freedom, as well as parental rights and responsibilities. Legal custody allows both parents to contribute to critical life decisions, fostering a sense of cooperation and shared responsibility. Meanwhile, physical custody addresses daily aspects of the child's life, focusing on creating a stable and nurturing environment.

Shared vs. Joint Custody

Generally, the state’s courts prefer to assign joint custody, meaning parents share decision-making powers and get to have significant time with a child. However, courts will award sole custody if they have evidence that one parent has neglected or abused a child or is otherwise unfit to provide care.

Joint custody arrangements are encouraged as they promote continuous and meaningful contact with both parents. This setup supports a child’s emotional and psychological health by maintaining relationships with both parents. Here, our child custody attorneys help navigate these complex waters to develop a framework that promotes the child’s best interests.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

At the completion of a custody dispute, you must create a parenting plan that includes details about your custody arrangement and visitation. The latter should describe when you and your co-parent will spend time with your child and for how long.

Other items your parenting plan must include are as follows:

How to communicate about the child — Establish effective communication channels to ensure seamless coordination.
Who will make decisions for the child in an emergency — Plan who is responsible for urgent issues.
Where the child will go to school — Decide educational arrangements crucial for stability.
Who will be the child’s doctor and dentist — Choose healthcare providers to maintain consistency in medical care.
Whether the child will be raised in a certain faith — Agree on religious upbringing if applicable.

Can You Modify a Child Custody Arrangement?

You can modify a child custody arrangement at any time. However, just because you want to alter it does not mean a court will grant the change. You must present compelling evidence suggesting the modification is in the child’s best interests. Often, this is the case if one parent is not fulfilling their duties or poses a danger to the child.

Custody modifications can stem from changes in parental circumstances, such as relocation, shifts in the child's needs, or new information about the co-parents’ ability to fulfill custodial roles. Our custody attorneys in Simi Valley are well-versed in handling modifications, ensuring they align with legal standards and genuinely serve the child’s developing needs. We navigate the intricacies of these changes, making sure your voice is heard in court.

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Committed to minimizing conflict and celebrating solutions, we emphasize mediation to save you time, stress, and costs associated with trials.

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Child Support in California

California law states that parents are financially responsible for their children until they turn 18. If you and your co-parent are divorced or raising your child separately, you must determine how to share this financial responsibility. Generally, the parent who primarily cares for a child will receive child support.

Child support is designed to cover essential needs, including housing, food, education, and healthcare, ensuring that children receive consistent support despite changes in parental relationship status. By participating actively in arranging and maintaining support agreements, both parents contribute to providing their child with a balanced lifestyle.

How Do Courts Determine Child Support?

Simi Valley courts and others across the state consider the following factors when determining child support amounts:

Both parents’ income and tax status
The family’s custodial arrangement (i.e., who spends the most time with the child)
The number of children
Other factors they believe are relevant

The aim is to balance the child’s financial well-being, with the court carefully evaluating both parents’ financial capacities and obligations. Any additional needs, such as extracurricular activities or special medical care, are also considered to ensure comprehensive support.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

If a co-parent fails to make child support payments, you can request that a court enforce the order. Options for enforcement may include wage garnishment, property liens, or even jail time in extreme cases. Should you have trouble with receiving payments, consult our child support attorneys in Simi Valley about your situation and options for recourse.

Effective enforcement of support orders is crucial for the children's stability and security. Our attorneys work diligently to ensure that clients receive prompt and fair enforcement action. This may involve negotiating with the non-compliant party or presenting a court motion to ensure the payments are fulfilled without delay. Understanding enforcement laws and processes maximizes the chance of achieving swift resolutions and maintaining financial support for your child.

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Questions About Custody or Child Support? Contact Our Firm for Answers.

Whether you are just starting the process of determining child custody and support or already embroiled in a heated dispute, Dallara Law is here for you. We work closely with clients, meeting them where they are and developing strategies that help them get to where they want to go. Whatever outcome you believe is optimal for your family, count on us to strive to achieve it. Thousands of families have trusted us. We welcome you to do the same.

Our attorneys are dedicated to providing legal counsel that truly resonates with your family’s distinct needs and concerns. With a focus on open communication, we ensure that you remain informed and confident in every step of the legal process. Reach out to us for guidance, support, and representation that aligns with your family's best interests. We pride ourselves on fostering long-lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect.

To discuss your situation and how we can assist you, schedule a free consultation by calling (805) 456-1066 or submitting our online contact form.

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