Child custody is one of the most intricate and emotionally taxing areas of family law. Due to its potential to escalate into heated arguments, skilled legal representation is a necessity when dealing with any topics related to child care or support. The complexities of custody litigations require the dedication, experience, and care that our team at the Victorville office of Schank & Associates provides. We will meet you at the crossroads of expertise and compassion, ensuring that your child’s best interests are protected. Whether you are going through a divorce or legal separation or you have never been married and are fighting for rights over your child, we can help. Call us today for a Free Case Evaluation where we will discuss your specific needs and options.
Typically, child custody cases are best handled through negotiations between you and your partner, where you work with an attorney to make decisions outside of the courtroom. This can often be easier on you and your children since it promotes a collaborative effort rather than the antagonistic route of litigation. You have more control over the situation and can ensure that your voice is heard. During the mediation process, we can either work as your mediation attorney or as your personal representative. Note that while child custody negotiation can often be the more peaceful option, that is not to say that it is simple. Any decision that you and your spouse make can have unexpected repercussions in the future, and none should be made lightly. There is extensive background information that must be collected and paperwork that must be filled out and signed with full knowledge and consent. And that is where we come in. Using years of experience and training, our lawyers will help you navigate the complex legal roads of visitation and custody. We will also help you make decisions regarding the child’s present and future care, including their education, residency, healthcare, contact with extended family members, etc. Usually, you will both retain equal parental rights to see your child and to make decisions for them in what is called a joint custody agreement. The way those rights are shared will differ in every case, and we are here to ensure that decisions are made that will best benefit your child.
Of course, some cases require that parental rights are not equally divided or even that one parent be given sole legal custody over their children. Typically, in these circumstances, negotiation is not always possible. Many situations must be resolved before the judge, who will make the final decision regarding child custody rights. In these cases, it’s even more imperative that you hire a child custody attorney to help guide you through the entire process. Schank & Associates will ensure that both your and your child’s best interests are protected every step of the way – from your very first meeting with us to the day the judge signs off on the final papers. Our lawyers have years of experience working within Victorville’s courts and are familiar the city’s specific legal requirements, judges, and attorneys. We understand that both parents typically wish to maintain constant contact with their children, and that divorce can threaten that relationship. Thus, we will help you fight for your preference of visitation schedules and decisional powers. Your child’s well-being will be the foundation on which we build your case, and the basis of the judge’s decisions, as well. We know how to make a positive and enduring impression, using a balance of solid evidence and persuasive rhetoric to show your capability and passion as a parent. We know that children are often negatively impacted by courtroom debates, which is why we are trained in mitigating conflicts and keeping the peace. We will see that every detail – where your child lives, the time they will spend with both parents, the way the financial burden will be shared, how legal decisions will be made, etc. – is based on your child’s needs and your desire to maintain an enduring relationship with them.
Regardless of which option you choose – mediation or litigation – we will be there for you every step of the way, answering each question, clearing up legal jargon, and ensuring that we dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t.’
Unfortunately, there are circumstances that may require more extreme action. Abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other forms of maltreatment by a spouse necessitate an immediate and aggressive response. If you have been the victim of any of these crimes, give us a call right away. We can help you secure legal protections for you and your child (e.g. restraining orders) and build a strong case against your spouse that will grant you rights to protect and provide for your children. Our goal is simple: to give you and your child the best chance in life.
If you and your partner are unmarried, child custody battles can get very messy very quickly. The laws in California surrounding child custody arrangements for unmarried parents are often more complex than those for married parents. An experienced attorney is a necessity for any child custody battle between unmarried parents. If your child has lived under your care for several years, and now your former partner now wishes to obtain legal or physical custody over them, call us. We know how nerve-wracking this situation can be, and want to help protect your parental rights. On the other hand, you may be a mother or father who has been unable to keep in contact with their child in the past, but you now wish to repair that relationship and gain legal rights to visit your son or daughter. This can seem impossible, especially if the other parent is fighting to keep you out of the child’s life. Our innovative and strategic lawyers know exactly what the judges are looking for in these circumstances. We will help you build a solid case proving that you are competent and passionate about providing your child with the care and attention he or she deserves.
Whatever the circumstance, our family is here to help yours. Call us today for a Free Case Evaluation.
