Oceanside Child Custody Attorney

Protecting Your Children & Your Rights in Oceanside & Del Mar

Few events in a parent's life are more stressful than child custody proceedings in a divorce or when modifying orders as situations and lives change. At Palmer Rodak & Associates in Oceanside and Del Mar, we provide experienced and committed representation designed to resolve these matters while protecting the rights and interests of our clients.

Discuss your case with us today by contacting us in a free 30-minute consultation. We serve Oceanside and Del Mar.

Joint vs. Sole Custody

Sole custody generally means that one parent has both physical and legal custody. The parent with sole custody has the right to make major decisions about their child’s life and the child will reside with them. When sole custody is awarded to a parent, the other parent can petition the court for visitation rights, but they do not have custody rights.

By contrast, joint custody generally means that the parents will share physical custody and legal custody. That means that the child will live with both parents and that both parents have the right to make decisions about the child’s life and welfare.

Do Unmarried Fathers Have Rights in California?

When married couples throughout California have children, parentage is commonly established automatically. This is not the case, however, for unmarried parents. When a child's parents are not married, there is no assumption of paternity. As such, unwed fathers must establish paternity in order to enact their parental rights.

How We Can Help

Palmer Rodak & Associates represents clients in all child custody matters in Oceanside and Del Mar, including:

• Visitation rights
• Parenting plans
• Mediation proceedings
• Modifications to custody and visitation
• Parental relocations and move-away cases
• Grandparent visitation rights
• Custody evaluation proceedings

California favors joint custody, involving shared legal custody where both parents make decisions regarding medical treatment, education, and other critical concerns. Determining who a child lives with – physical custody – and who gets visitation can become complex, especially in a military divorce involving relocation or deployment. Our skilled assistance can help ensure clients make choices that are in the best interests of their children.

Mandatory Mediation

With few exceptions, Family Court Services (FCS) mediation is mandatory whenever custody or visitation is in question. Making a favorable impression on your FCS mediator can be essential to your overall success in the case.

Once the parents file a child custody or visitation case, the court sends them to meet with the Family Court Services (FCS) department. Attorneys are not permitted to participate in the Family Court Services mediation. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement regarding child custody and visitation issues, the FCS mediator will make a written recommendation to the judge.

Judges often rely heavily on the recommendations of the FCS mediator. Therefore, it is very important that you are well-prepared for the mediation. We can help you eliminate the risk of having an unfavorable report because of nervousness or because you are unprepared.

The lead lawyer in our mediation practice, Attorney Matthew E. Palmer, has extensive experience in mediation both in private practice and as a Pro Tem Judge in Vista, California. Mr. Palmer can explain how best to respond during the mediation process to help achieve a satisfactory outcome.

For a complimentary consultation with our Oceanside child custody attorney, contact us online. We also serve Del Mar.