California
child custody
lawyers
Establishing, modifying, or enforcing child custody? Get matched with an experienced California child custody lawyer, and pay for the work done, not the hours. No hourly clock, no retainers. You make the decisions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
California
child custody
lawyers
Establishing, modifying, or enforcing child custody? Get matched with an experienced California child custody lawyer, and pay for the work done, not the hours. No hourly clock, no retainers. You make the decisions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
Over 600
Vetted attorneys
Over 85K+
Clients helped
3K+
5 stars on Trustpilot
11
States served
It’s the Marble difference
Yes - your custody case can be less overwhelming
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You’re matched with the right attorney for each step of your case using the Marble Legal Engine™.
Pay for the work done - not the hours
Unlike traditional hourly billing, you'll know the cost of each service before you commit to anything. Payment plans available.
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Move forward with insights from 130K+ cases to guide your next step. Your personal info remains confidential.
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What moving forward looks like
Get startedOnly charges for your actual needs keeping the cost down. Very attentive and understanding. Highly recommend.
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Made the daunting process very easy & efficient. My attorney was so communicative.
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Legal care for you and your kids, all in one place
Parenting plans
Create a parenting plan that fits your family's needs. An experienced child custody attorney can help you build clear schedules, define responsibilities, and create an agreement that supports your child's best interests now and in the future.
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Visitation & parenting time
Parenting time is about more than a schedule. It's about staying involved in your child's life. Work with an attorney to create or negotiate a visitation plan that works for your family and your future.
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Custody modifications
Life changes. When your family's circumstances change, your custody order may need to change too. An attorney can help you understand your options and request modifications that reflect your current situation.
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Court representation
If your custody case goes to court, experienced legal representation can make a meaningful difference. Prepare your case, understand what to expect, and advocate for the outcome you're seeking.
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Enforcing custody orders
When a custody agreement isn't being followed, you don't have to navigate it alone. An attorney can help you understand your legal options and take the appropriate next steps.
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Child custody
Whether you're seeking joint custody, sole custody, or responding to a dispute, get legal guidance tailored to you. Understand your options and work toward a solution that protects your relationship with your child.
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Child support
Understand how child support is calculated, what factors may affect payments, and what your rights and responsibilities are. Get guidance that helps you make informed decisions for both you and your child.
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Emergency custody
When your child's safety or well-being is at immediate risk, you may need urgent legal action. Get experienced guidance to understand your options and respond quickly to protect your family.
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Establishing parental rights
If you're not married to your child's other parent, establishing parentage may be the first step toward custody or visitation. An attorney can help you file or respond to a parentage petition and understand what comes next.
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Grandparent visitation
In some situations, grandparents can ask a California court for visitation with a grandchild. An attorney can help you understand whether you may qualify and how to make the request.
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Child custody in California is different
California child custody laws give judges wide room to shape a parenting plan, but they also set firm rules on safety and fairness. Here's what matters most before you file or respond.
01
A statewide formula sets the guideline
California uses a statewide formula to calculate guideline child support, not a basic income-shares table. It uses both parents' net monthly disposable income as key inputs.
04
Support can run past 18 in some cases
Support generally lasts until age 18, and may end sooner on emancipation or marriage. It may continue for an unmarried 18-year-old who is a full-time high school student and not self-supporting, until the child finishes 12th grade or turns 19, whichever comes first. Parents may also owe continuing support for an adult child who cannot earn a living and lacks sufficient means.
02
Parenting time is part of the math
The formula includes the share of time the higher-earning parent has primary physical responsibility for the child, so the parenting schedule may affect the guideline amount. Custody itself is covered on the child custody page.
05
Orders can be changed, but generally not backward
A support order may generally be modified or ended at any time if the court finds it necessary, such as when income, parenting time, or a child's needs change. A change generally cannot reach amounts that built up before the request was filed, with a narrow exception for deployed servicemembers.
03
More children change the amount
Additional children typically increase the guideline amount by a multiplier, so support for two children is generally less than twice the amount for one. The formula also uses income tiers, so the share of income directed to support may shift as combined income changes.
06
Parentage comes first
Child support is generally tied to legally established parentage. Parentage may be established through marriage, a signed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage, or a court case, and a filed declaration is treated as equivalent to a court judgment of parentage.
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Child custody in California is different
California child custody laws give judges wide room to shape a parenting plan, but they also set firm rules on safety and fairness. Here's what matters most before you file or respond.
How we compare
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Updates anytime
California managing attorney
Michael Gower
Clients served
1000+
Years of experience
16 years
Practice Areas
Family law
Licenced in
California
Counties we serve in California
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra
- Costa
- Del
- Norte
- El
- Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los
- Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San
- Benito
- Bernardino
- Diego
- Francisco
- Joaquin
- Luis
- Obispo
- Mateo
- Santa
- Barbara
- Clara
- Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
Your questions, answered
We charge by service, not by the hour. You’ll always know what you’re paying for upfront, with no surprise fees for texts, emails, or phone calls.
California courts consider a range of factor,s including each parent’s involvement, the child’s needs, and any history of conflict or abuse. The focus is always on what’s in the child’s best interest.
Legal custody refers to who makes major decisions for the child. Physical custody determines where the child lives. These can be shared or awarded solely to one parent.
Yes. If there’s been a significant change in circumstances, you can request a modification. We can help you prepare and file the necessary documents.
Courts closely evaluate whether the move is in the child’s best interest. We can help you present or contest a move-away request with a strong legal strategy.
Judges consider the child’s safety, emotional bonds with each parent, parental involvement, and stability of the home environment.
No. California law is gender-neutral. Custody decisions are based solely on what supports the child’s best interests.
It depends on whether the case is contested or uncontested. Some cases are resolved in a few months, while others, especially those involving litigation, can take longer.
*The Attorney Match Guarantee™ applies to Marble’s matching process only and does not guarantee case outcomes, general satisfaction, or full refunds. Re-matches are subject to attorney availability and good account standing, and are limited to 3 discretion-based re-matches. If a suitable attorney is unavailable, a prorated refund based on work completed may apply.