California: Family Law lawyers

Body Copy – Child abuse comprises a range of harmful and damaging actions against minors. These include physical and sexual abuse, mental harm, and neglect. States treat child abuse allegations seriously. Cases can result in termination of parental rights and/or incarceration. Child abuse laws, aspects of mandatory and permissive reporting laws, and how states work with social services vary.

A domestic partnership is a legally recognized form of a committed relationship. Not all states recognize domestic partnerships within a legal context. To receive some of the benefits married couples enjoy, some couples may choose to legally formalize their relationship. They may file for a domestic partnership or a civil union. A domestic partnership provides the two parties with some of the legal benefits of marriage. Just as recognition of domestic partnerships varies by state, so too do the benefits.

A guardianship is a legal relationship established by the courts to allow someone (a guardian) to make decisions on behalf of another (a ward). They do so because the ward is unable to make important decisions for themselves, either because they are underage or because they are not physically or cognitively competent. The type of guardianship a judge will order depends on the kinds of decisions a guardian needs to make on behalf of the ward. A guardian will need to be legally appointed to their role, usually by a probate court judge.

Paternity is the legal establishment of the identity of a child's father, often using DNA testing, which may be a factor in cases involving child support, custody, adoption, and inheritance. Establishing paternity can help a mother enforce child support orders or, in some cases, reunite estranged fathers with their children. Because paternity is not determined solely by a birth certificate or a blood test, a father who is not married to their child's mother needs to acknowledge their paternity voluntarily. Otherwise, the father may lose their rights to someone else who makes the effort to become the child's presumed father.

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from divorce to DUI to employment law. The directory covers lawyers all across the state, including Irvine, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, San Jose, Ventura, Fresno, Palm Springs, San Bernardino, and anywhere in Northern California or Southern California.

FindLaw's detailed California law firm profiles have information like the firm's areas of law, office locations, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, law school education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.

Use the contact form on the profiles to find a lawyer in California for legal advice.

Finding the best lawyer for your unique situation can be a challenge, but the best way to hire a good California attorney is to talk with them, ask them questions, and make sure they meet all your needs. This usually starts with their practice area. Determine which lawyers can handle your type of case and then find a California attorney with experience in that area. So it will be important to ask about each lawyer’s years of experience, legal training, and strategy to your unique legal case.

The attorney-client relationship may also be important. If it is your first time dealing with a legal issue, you may be looking for a lawyer who can clearly and patiently explain the legal process, identify your options, and answer all your questions. You may also want an attorney who is available at any time to provide legal advice. Think about questions to ask, like if there are updates to your case, how will that be communicated? Are there specific California law deadlines that you are required to meet?

The location of your attorney's law office may also be an important factor. In larger cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco, you may want to find a lawyer with a convenient location to you so that you don't have to drive an hour just for signing legal papers. However, some legal services can be primarily conducted through phone calls, emails, written correspondence, and video calls, so you could, for example, have a lawyer in Sacramento handle your legal issues in Riverside.