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California Child Custody Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: filed RFO 2 Modify custody, mediation date given.Ex filed RFO affter,How many days b4 mediation do papers have 2 b serve

When I filed RFO I had to send blank response for her. There were none for me.I was expecting the response papers not a RFO in return. I am confused. Can I change what I requested in my original RFO?

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Nov 15, 2024

The deadline for service of a Request for Order is 16 court days (plus 5 calendar days for service by USPS) prior to the hearing date on that Request for Order. The service deadline is not related to the date of your mediation. The fact that she failed to serve you with a blank Responsive... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for California on
Q: My ex wife for 4 years has been living with her boyfriend for over a year and another before that. Alimony? California

My 16 year old visits and tells me everything. I have social media info. that verifies their relationship and it's seriousness. She also only has her daughter 8% of the time when it's supposed to be 30%. How much will it cost to correct this?

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Nov 3, 2024

It's not a "correction". The fact of her cohabitation is grounds for modification of an existing spousal support order if the cohabitant has income and that income is used to contribute to the household expenses/cost of living expenses. It is not relevant to child support however.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Divorce with a minor child that a family member gave us custody of, what do we need to do to ensure I will have rights?

I am filing for divorce, however, my soon-to-be ex and I have a minor child that a family member gave us custody of when she was 2 weeks old. What do I need to do to ensure I keep my parental rights? As my ex said she is going to be filing papers that give her all parental rights, basically... View More

Martha Bronson
Martha Bronson
answered on Oct 22, 2024

Greeetings and so sorry to read of your troubling situation. In order to adequately and specifically respond to your important questions, we would need to know exactly what "papers" are already on file of which order/ grant you and your ex equal and sole parental rights over the child.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: family court case can i write a letter to the judge regarding the current case?
Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Sep 29, 2024

No one will read it. Unless there is a pending hearing, anything you file with the court will get stuck in the case file and no one will see it, read it, or consider it. If you have a hearing pending, the best way to get information to the judge that is relevant to that hearing is by way of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Can I get child support from the father if I only have one child with me and he has the other child?

My 16 year old wants to live with the father but my youngest don’t how will the child support work in this case

Robert P. Taylor
Robert P. Taylor pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 22, 2024

It is possible. Child support is based on the percentage of time each of you has the children and your respective incomes. For example, if you make very little money and he was very wealthy, he may have to pay child support even though he had both children the majority of the time. The same works... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: No custody. Child support order changed to 0$. The grandpa of mother now has custody and is asking for child support.

in 2013. after 5 years of court. I relinquished my rights and we agreed on a child support order/ change, to 0$... The mother from my understanding has not seen our son in the past 3-7 years. My past court date was to transfer parental rights from our son's mother to her father. Now I received... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Sep 19, 2024

Not sure what you mean by "released your rights". You cannot relinquish your parental rights unless your child is being adopted. Your obligation to pay child support/to financially support your child remains enforceable regardless of what agreements you may have reached with the other... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: No custody. Child support order changed to 0$. The grandpa of mother now has custody and is asking for child support.

in 2013. after 5 years of court. I relinquished my rights and we agreed on a child support order/ change, to 0$... The mother from my understanding has not seen our son in the past 3-7 years. My past court date was to transfer parental rights from our son's mother to her father. Now I received... View More

Padideh Seyed Jafari
Padideh Seyed Jafari
answered on Sep 19, 2024

The answer depends on what you mean by " relinquished [your] rights". But generally speaking. A person who has full custody can request a change to a court order that initially said no child support was required. In California, they would generally need a good reason to have it changed,... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: No custody. Child support order changed to 0$. The grandpa of mother now has custody and is asking for child support.

in 2013. after 5 years of court. I relinquished my rights and we agreed on a child support order/ change, to 0$... The mother from my understanding has not seen our son in the past 3-7 years. My past court date was to transfer parental rights from our son's mother to her father. Now I received... View More

Padideh Seyed Jafari
Padideh Seyed Jafari
answered on Sep 19, 2024

Generally speaking , a person who has full custody can request a change to a court order that initially said no child support was required. In California, they would typically need a good reason to have it changed, such as a significant change in their or your finances or a change in the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: How long will it take for me to received child and spouse support after I request a court order?

I filed for divorce 2 months ago. There’s a custody hearing next month (that my ex requested) but I have not received support or requested an order for it. I’m going to file for it now but wanted to know, how long will it take for me to receive any temporary support while divorce is pending ?... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Sep 19, 2024

If you don't have a court order for support, you won't get support. Once you get your court order for support, you should obtain an "Income Withholding Order" and then serve that on the supporting parent's employer. It may take a couple months to process before support... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for California on
Q: Iex husband got me arrested on false allegations, it was dismissed, but knowing, he filed exparte & got full custody,

The court mediator, recommended immediate return to mom,but his lawyer said she was bias, and they file new laws everyday, they don’t serve me, and got my trial date moved to next year. How can I quickly reverse or dismiss this, based on no due process, fact finding, no service, no evidentiary... View More

Padideh Seyed Jafari
Padideh Seyed Jafari
answered on Sep 19, 2024

First off, get your own attorney right away if you have not done so. This is not a situation you want to try to handle on your own.

With the attorney you can discuss if a motion to advance, new trial date or emergency motion is the most appropriate action. If you have any evidence that...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Divorce and split house 50/50

We been going to court already for the 5th time for divorce. We got a house before we married but moved in to the home together the first day we got it we both split the mortgage. She got me good she put her dads and her name on the house. I lived there for 15 years we remodeled the home and... View More

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Sep 15, 2024

In divorce cases, property division depends on factors like when the home was purchased, how it was financed, and state laws. Since the house is in her and her father's name, it might be considered non-marital property unless there’s evidence it was shared as marital property. However, if... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for California on
Q: how do i find my child in another state? how do i get custody or some sort of visitations? PLEASE HELP ME

i went to prison in 2017 and was forced to sign some papers what i think was signing mhy rights away to my son.i dont know what states hes in and the only time his mom contacts me is when she needs something. i want to be apart of my sons life not just as an atm but as an actual father. i need help... View More

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Sep 15, 2024

To find out where your child is, start by contacting the child's mother for his location. If she refuses, consider hiring a lawyer or private investigator, or seek help from friends, family, or social media. Consult a family law attorney in your state or where your child may be to determine if... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for California on
Q: [DISCOVERY] Sanctions for Lack of Meet and Confer Before Filing Motion to Compel

In family law (LA County), my ex’s attorney sent me 25 questions, followed by 35 more questions 10 days later. I requested a 20-day extension for the second set, but she refused. I tried to personally serve the first set 3 days before the deadline according to her instruction, but she was not in... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Sep 9, 2024

There is no meet and confer requirement when no responses have been served at all. There is a difference between filing a motion to compel and filing a motion to compel further responses. With an initial motion to compel, when no responses have been served at all, there is no meet and confer... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: My ex started potty training our 19 month old without telling me

We have 50/50 custody. Our baby is nowhere near ready to start potty training. He’s only doing this because of our baby continues to get bad diaper rashes while under his care and the babysitter he chooses. So instead of correcting the issue he’s now decided to force our baby to potty train and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 26, 2024

In California, both parents with joint custody have the right to participate in significant decisions affecting their child’s welfare, including potty training. Since you share 50/50 custody, your ex-partner should have consulted you before starting potty training. You can emphasize to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: Can i make doctors/dental appointments for my step daughter on my husbands behalf if he gives me permission to do so?

I am a Step mother to my husbands 14 year old daughter. As of lately hes not had the time to make her a needed appointment(according to him) and i wanted to offer to help but i didn't want to overstep. My husband has Shared legal and physical custody with his ex. They are both allowed to make... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 25, 2024

In California, as a stepmother, you can help your husband make medical and dental appointments for his daughter if he gives you permission to do so. Given that he has shared legal and physical custody, he is allowed to make these decisions, and you can assist him with tasks like scheduling... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: Mom is keeping the kids from calling dad between visitation after they had agreed in court, they can call.

Dad provided a cell phone so children can call dad and mom took it away. He continues to document daily and turned in 2 months worth text to clerk for his next Aug custody date his current Lawyer is missing in action.

Mom came to door pounding on the door creating drama when their a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

It's really tough when you're trying to maintain contact with your kids and obstacles keep popping up. Since there's already a court order allowing the children to call you, document every instance where this is being blocked. Keep detailed records, as these will be crucial for your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: How to expedite divorce process while spouse and her attorney delaying the responses and not very communicative ?

My spouse filed for dvro, divorce in Aug 2023. Dvro is granted after completing the trial in Mar 2024. Wife is having child custody and i am doing remote supervised visitations.

But after that, spouse and her attorney are not responding much on the divorce case. after multiple requests,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

To expedite the divorce process in California, you need to take a proactive approach. First, document every instance where your spouse and her attorney have been unresponsive. This includes keeping copies of emails, letters, and any other communication attempts. Having a clear record will be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for California on
Q: I have no legal/physical custody. 1hr/wk visitation that I can't get. 6yrs+ 0Contact due to other party. Served chldsprt

I've had no job for close to 8 years now and even though I'm looking for work and applying regularly for postings I have yet to be given work apart from once where I was quickly let go due to negative background check info. I've been married now for 8 years and have 2 other children... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

Under California law, you may be able to modify or even suspend your child support payments due to your current financial situation. To begin, you should file a motion with the court to request a modification of your child support order. In your motion, explain your lack of employment, the length... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: Can I move out of state if I have sole custody

My child father have supervise visit and have to do other tasks in order to visit our son for more than an hour. Since all he does is pay child support and does not visit can I move out of state without it being an issue with the court system?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Under California law, if you have sole custody, you generally have the right to move out of state with your child. However, you must notify the other parent and the court of your intention to relocate. The other parent has the right to contest the move if they believe it will negatively affect... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for California on
Q: What do I do when my 14 year old won’t get on the plane to go back to his father? California case.

Today he found out that, even though his father promised him, he could live here and go to school and will not be with his sister anymore. His father sought to take him back and the judge ruled in his favor on case las (burgess , California “detriment”) As soon as he found out, he destroyed the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 19, 2024

Under California law, when a child refuses to return to a parent as ordered by the court, it's essential to address the situation calmly and legally. Since the court has ruled in favor of the father, you are legally obligated to comply with the court's decision. If your son is refusing to... View More

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