Child Custody, Child Support, & Paternity Lawyer in San Diego

San Diego family law attorney Anton L. Georghiou is thoroughly experienced in the areas of child custody, child support, and paternity law. He will take his responsibilities to you and your case seriously and do everything possible to help you obtain positive results for you and your children.

What To Know About Child Custody In California

One of the most difficult and emotional issues associated with family law involves child custody and visitation rights. Attorney Anton Georghiou has handled hundreds of child custody matters including mental health and substance abuse issues, move-away requests and other issues relating to custody of children.

In California, child custody involves legal custody and physical custody. These two terms can often be misunderstood or confused.

  • Legal custody refers to a parent's right and responsibility to make decisions regarding the child(ren)’s health, safety and welfare. Legal custody may be awarded to one parent, who will be the sole decision-maker for the child(ren), or it may be shared jointly between both parents.

  • Physical custody refers to whom the child(ren) will primarily live with. Physical custody may be granted exclusively to one parent or to both parents to split the time with the child(ren).

The court aims to have both parents involved in decisions relating to the child(ren) as long as they are capable of using good judgment in the child(ren)’s best interest. The court also aims to allow both parents to have frequent and continuing contact with the child(ren) whenever possible. When both parents share legal and physical custody, it is known as “joint custody.”

In instances where one parent abandons the child or is unwilling or unable to take custody, the other parent is entitled to sole custody. Additionally, in circumstances involving child abuse, domestic violence, or a threat to the child(ren)’s health and safety, California courts may deny custody or visitation rights.

Third Party Visitation Rights

Many times a biological parent cannot provide adequate care for the child(ren) because they are unable, unwilling, or unfit. In cases such as these, California law allows for third parties (including non-blood relatives) to seek custody of the child, provided they have a pre-existing relationship with the child. Third party custody cases can be very complex and should be handled by an experienced attorney.

Speak With A San Diego Child Custody Lawyer

When facing child custody issues, the most important step you can take is contacting an experienced family law attorney. Attorney Anton Georghiou has a proven track record protecting parental rights. Contact The Law Office of Anton L. Georghiou for a free consultation.

Speak With A San Diego Child Custody Lawyer

When facing child custody issues, the most important step you can take is contacting an experienced family law attorney. Attorney Anton Georghiou has a proven track record protecting parental rights. Contact The Law Office of Anton L. Georghiou for a free consultation.

Child Support Laws In California

In California, child support is the amount of money that a court can order a parent or both parents to pay every month for the expense of raising the child(ren). Both parents have equal responsibility for the support of their minor child “in the manner suitable to the child’s circumstances.” Parents are legally required to provide for their offspring up until the child:

  • Turns 18 years of age, and has graduated from high school;

  • Turns 19 years old; or

  • Marries, dies, or is legally free in some way, such as joining the military.

Courts can also enforce an agreement between the parents for continued support of an adult child. If the child is disabled and cannot support him or herself, there is no maximum-age limiting the parents’ continued support.

Determining The Amount of Child Support

Both parents are required to fill out an Income and Expense Declaration under penalty of perjury and provide proof of the amount of their income. Next, the judge will calculate how much each parent is required to pay in child support, taking into account the amount of time that a child spends with each parent and each parent’s income or earning capacity. Typically, the less time a parent spends with a child, the more he or she may be ordered to pay in child support. These guidelines are complex calculations however, and there is room for adjustment in many cases based on specialized circumstances.

Contact A Child Support Lawyer In San Diego

Given the cost of living in San Diego County, establishing a proper amount of child support is important for bother parents. If you are seeking to establish child support or to defend against a support action, call The Law Office Of Anton L. Georghiou for a free consultation. Mr. Georghiou is a qualified San Diego child support attorney who aims to help you achieve a fair resolution.

What to Know About Paternity LAw

Paternity cases, also referred to as parentage cases, examine and identify the biological father of the child. DNA testing has become the main approach for paternity testing. However, there are instances where a man is presumed to be the father, such as when a child is born during marriage, or when a man lives with the mother and holds out to the public that he is the father.

Paternity suits have the potential to impact child custody, child support, child visitation, and relocation and can dramatically impact the lives of the children involved. Paternity cases can be very sensitive, and the top priority must be the best interests of the child(ren).

A court may order a mother, child, and an alleged father to submit to genetic testing to prove paternity. Not just any genetic test is acceptable as conclusive or admissible as evidence in court. An expectation is that the labs performing genetic tests be court approved, or accredited with California agencies designated by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Paternity suits can be complex. In California, by signing a voluntary paternity declaration (usually at the time of the child’s birth), the self-designated father effectively waives his constitutional rights to present his case on paternity issues in court. So paternity law potentially implicates constitutional due process issues.

Free Consultation With San Diego Paternity Lawyer

If you are going through a complex or emotional paternity suit, contact The Law Office Of Anton L. Georghiou in San Diego for a free consultation.