When a couple seeks divorce and they have children, where those children will reside can be one of the most challenging and emotionally devastating aspects of the marital dissolution. Parents with a Yolo County child custody lawyer will have a significant advantage in these cases.
Around 30% of children in Yolo County live with only one parent. This is a staggering number, especially when we consider the importance of having both parents involved in a child’s life. The sad truth is that many divorced parents want to be more involved in their children’s lives but feel like it is an insurmountable cause. Going to court for child custody takes time and resources, whether you initiate the custody case or your child’s other parent does.
A custody hearing can happen even if the parents were never married, but any parent can file for joint or full custody of their child. If you are in search of a child custody lawyer in Yolo County, Ewing Law Group, PC, contact our firm. Our compassionate team can ensure you get the most optimal outcome for your child custody case.
Over the past 20 years, the husband-and-wife legal team of Ewing Law Group, PC, have successfully represented thousands of clients. We apply a personal approach to each case, speaking to clients directly and not passing them off to support staff or paralegals. Our firm has garnered the esteem of the court for our professional demeanor and respectable courtroom presentation.
All Yolo County, California, parents are allowed to request custody of a child as long as paternity has been established and can be verified through Yolo County family court. A parent can be married to the other parent, a non-parent, separated from the other parent, divorced from the child’s other parent, or never married to the other parent to establish paternity.
In certain circumstances, the California Family Court does allow third parties to request custody of or visitation with a child. Custody or visitation may be granted to such parties as grandparents, other relatives, or individuals who have cared for a child. These custody orders are contingent on the ability of the party requesting custody to prove that the biological parents are unfit or are not acting in the role of parents to the child.
Ewing Law Group, PC, can help determine whether you have grounds to request custody if you’re unsure about how to proceed, whether you are a parent, uncertain if you are a parent, a grandparent, or a third party.
Legal custody is one of two types of custody orders in California. Legal custody affords the parent a say in the decision-making regarding the children’s daily lives. Legal custody can be awarded solely or to both parents, as in joint custody. This is often awarded when a judge feels that the two parents have an open and honest line of communication in order to make decisions and cooperate for the well-being of the child when making decisions for them together.
Decision-making involves input in the following areas:
Physical custody is the second type of custody awarded by courts in California. It defines which parent the child will live with or stay with most of the time and may be granted as sole custody or joint custody. Physical custody is also called primary custody. Primary custody means a child spends most of the time living with one parent.
Alternatively, joint physical custody is defined as when children live with both parents equally. It is, oftentimes, hard to split time equally between the two parents, and often, children end up spending more time at one residence with one family parent.
In some cases, custody is awarded as joint legal custody where both parents make decisions, but one parent has sole physical custody. This provides both parents with decision-making opportunities, although the child mainly resides with one parent.
Custody orders in California require a parenting plan. This is a legal write-up that defines how parents of children divide the rights and responsibilities of raising their shared children. Parenting plans must address certain issues and areas of child custody and visitation for a judge to court-order custody arrangements. A well-thought-out and comprehensive parenting plan includes the following items:
Ewing Law Group, PC, can help you prepare a parenting plan that meets the criteria set forth by Yolo County family courts. This will ensure your parenting plan gets submitted properly and will be less likely to be rejected or returned by the judge.
Sometimes, parents can’t agree on a parenting plan. When parents can’t come to an agreement regarding custody of their children, oftentimes, litigation is necessary. While this is not preferred because it puts a very personal decision in the hands of a judge, it is often a necessity in finalizing custody orders.
Yolo County Family Court judges are very well-versed in family time and visitation needs and have children’s interests at the forefront of their decisions; however, they don’t know the families personally. Nevertheless, judges are often charged with the job of determining custody orders for families. When custody cases are reverted to the litigation process, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to the outcome of a case.
Custody cases that require litigation can be very long, as requests made by each side can take time to return. Collecting medical records, school records, financial records, and other information relative to the case or requested by either side is an enduring process. Ewing Law Group, PC, can assist in collecting this information in a much timelier manner, as our lawyers are skilled and experienced in these types of court requests.
It also takes time for each side to present their testimonies and argue the validity of their claims for custody, especially if they have to call witnesses or if the case involves other unique circumstances.
When other unpredictable things come up after court orders are finalized, a need for revisiting those orders sometimes presents itself. For instance, if one parent wants to relocate, develops a medical illness, changes jobs, experiences a change in income, or the educational needs of the child change, a need arises to change the existing orders. Ewing Law Group, PC, can assist in submitting post-judgment motions that will request an alteration to existing family court orders.
Finally, if your child’s other parent has a lawyer, it is highly recommended that you contact Ewing Law Group to advise you, offer legal counsel throughout your custody case, and represent you in court if necessary. When you’re accompanied by a respectable and well-established law firm like ours, it can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
The cost of a child custody lawyer will depend on many factors. More complex cases require higher attorney fees. Attorneys who are well-established and have a high-standing reputation within the community will also charge higher rates and will likely offer better services.
There is no average cost of child custody cases, as base rates range anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000. You can expect to pay an average retainer fee of around $3,000 to $5,000. California child custody lawyer rates are around $500 to $1,000, but again, more complex cases require more time and more legal services. Thus, to determine an estimate for your specific case, you should speak with your attorney and understand the cost of representation in advance of hiring an attorney.
By reaching out to the Ewing Law Group, PC, you are enlisting the help of legal representation that can alleviate a significant amount of stress from the legal process of obtaining child custody orders. With more than 20 years of experience handling complex child custody cases and visitation orders, your case is in good hands. We are well-respected in the Yolo County Family Court and can approach your case with the utmost sensitivity and fastidiousness.
Call Ewing Law Group today to talk about your case with one of our lawyers and learn more about how our law firm can benefit your Yolo County child custody case.
