Can I File for Full Custody Without the Father Knowing?
A battle for custody is very often where spouses or ex-spouses bring out the heavy artillery. These cases can be drawn out, high conflict cases, often for good reason, but sometimes for vengeance or no reason at all. Amy Laughlin, Founder and Partner at Laughlin Legal Divorce & Family Law Group, a California high net […]
How Long Does a Child Custody Evaluation Take?
This is the sort of question best answered by a child custody attorney with a great deal of experience. Amy Laughlin, Founder and Partner at Laughlin Legal Divorce & Family Law Group in San Mateo more than qualifies. “Before directly answering that question, let’s first look at which couples are most likely to wind up […]
What is a child custody evaluation? And will it prioritize what is best for your child?
First things first: what is a child custody evaluation? According to the California Court’s Self-Help Guide, “A child custody evaluation is an investigation of your child’s health, safety, welfare, and best interests by a trained mental health professional (an evaluator). At the end of the investigation, the evaluator will provide a report to you and […]
Who Should You Talk to About Child Custody with Special Needs?
Good question. And increasingly, a commonly searched question. What you’re looking for is a special needs child custody lawyer. There has been a dramatic rise in the population of children with chronic illness whose parents are disputing custody in the family courts. There is also a rapidly expanding number of divorce and separation cases involving […]
How Much Does A Child Custody Lawyer Cost in California?
As with any legal practice area, what a child custody lawyer costs in California may vary profoundly depending upon the individual lawyer, law firm, or complexity of the child custody case. The State Bar of California agrees, “Lawyers consider various factors when setting their fees. A lawyer who is well-known in a certain area of […]
How to prevent your divorce from destroying your family? Ask one of the best child custody lawyers.
Amy Laughlin, a divorce and child custody lawyer in San Mateo, knows better than most what’s at stake for the children of divorcing parents. “Nothing trains you to be a great divorce and child custody attorney quite like watching your parents get divorced then getting divorced yourself, then watching hundreds of other parents muddle through it. […]
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody Orders in California?
Domestic violence affects not only your life but your children, as well, regardless of whether they were directly subject to the violence. It is essential to understand how your custody case will be determined by the Court if there’s a finding of domestic violence. How Does California Define Domestic Violence? California Family Code 3044 describes what […]
Is Legal Separation in California Right for You?
You’re trying to save your marriage but concerned about your spouse’s behavior and how it could jeopardize your shared assets. Perhaps your spouse has mental health struggles and engages in irrational spending. Or maybe your spouse is secretive about community account information, refuses to share account access with you, and you’re seriously worried about your […]
How does parenting time affect child support?
In California, both parents typically are responsible for the expenses that come with raising a child. If you and your child’s parent are no longer together, however, you may need to come up with a custody arrangement. Whether you have sole or joint physical custody of your child, you may be eligible to receive child […]
What if my child wants to live with the other parent?
If you happen to have children, your relationship with your ex-spouse will never truly be over. Particularly if your children are younger, it is highly likely that you will end up managing a co-parenting situation for many years. Shuffling the children between two households can be challenging enough when they are young, but problems often […]