Costa Mesa Child Custody Lawyer

Costa Mesa child custody has two parts under California law: physical custody and legal custody. Joint custody allows the parents to have joint physical custody and joint legal custody. However, the court can award joint legal custody, and not award joint physical custody. Under physical custody, one parent may be granted sole physical custody where the child would reside with and be supervised by one parent. Under joint physical custody orders, the parents share physical custody, and the law ensures that the child have frequent and continuing contact with both parents.

Sole legal custody allows one parent the right and responsibility to make decisions about the health, education, and welfare of the child. Joint legal custody allows both parents to share these rights and responsibilities. California law does not establish a preference for sole or joint custody in contested proceedings.

There are considerations the law establishes in making Costa Mesa child custody awards. Public policy of California is to ensure the minor children frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Also, custody orders must be made according to the child's best interest. Domestic violence and a history of abuse will be considered by the court in determining the child's best interest. Move-away/relocation cases arise when one parent seeks to move to another jurisdiction. The court must evaluate the child's need for stability and continuity. Move-away/relocation cases are generally hotly contested.

Spousal Support/Alimony Lawyer

California spousal support can be temporary and long-term. Temporary support can be awarded while a dissolution or legal separation is pending. The court may award an amount depending on he party's need and he payer's ability to pay. Judges typically use the support software when ordering temporary Costa Mesa spousal support.

Long-term Costa Mesa spousal support may be ordered by the court in any amount, and for any period of time that the court deems just and reasonable. In making a determination for support, the court must base its decision on the marital standard of living. The court must also consider the extent to which each party's earning capacity will maintain the standard of living established during the marriage. The complete list of factors the court must consider are found in California Family Code section 4320.

Limited Scope Representation

California attorneys are allowed to provide Costa Mesa limited scope representation to clients involved in family law and civil cases since it was approved by the Judicial Council. Many parties to family law and civil litigation actions would like the help of an attorney for parts of their cases, even if they cannot afford full representation. Attorneys may appear at court hearings even if the attorney did not prepare the legal paperwork. In contrast, attorneys can prepare legal paperwork, but do not have to appear in court if the cause of action actually gets to the point of having court dates. Most people find that having an advocate at the court hearing helps alleviate additional stress that is naturally created with litigation.

Costa Mesa Divorce Lawyer

A Costa Mesa divorce is more than the end of a marriage. How the issues are addressed will affect your life and impact your loved ones. Family dynamics and finances are complex. When confronted with a divorce, the future feels uncertain and overwhelmingly complex.

You need a Costa Mesa divorce lawyer that is well versed in California State divorce laws. We are accomplished, experienced, and compassionate Costa Mesa divorce lawyers, able to handle the most complex and involved cases.

With Costa Mesa Divorce Lawyer Joe Torri on your side, you can move forward with confidence and breathe a sigh of relief.

About Costa Mesa, CA

In 1776, the San Juan Mission of Capistrano was established southeast of what is currently known as Costa Mesa. Provisions had to be made to shelter the herdsmen when the Capistrano cattle were grazing in the Costa Mesa region during the early 1800's. In order to house the majordomo and his men, a small adobe house was built sometime between 1817 and 1823. This structure is still standing and was recently transformed and restored into a museum in Estancia Park at 1900 Adams Ave, by the community.

A man named Jose Antonio Yorba was granted the land as part of a Spanish land grant made by Santiago Del Santa Ana in 1810. Some settlers founded the community of Fairview and started purchasing parts of the rancho from the heirs of Yorba by 1880. A 25 room hotel was built to accommodate the visitors to the nearby hot sulfur springs and a church and a school house built close to the current intersection of Adams and Harbor. However, the community was soon converted to a farming region when a storm brought financial disaster to the area after washing out the railroad during early 1889.

A small community that was named after a nearby rancher known as Harper was established next to the Newport and Santa Ana Railroad by this time. In 1909, the first post office was established in the first business in the community which was located in Ozmen's General Store. The community of harper was renamed to Costa Mesa in 1920. The name translates from Spanish into coastal tableland. This was an agricultural community that grew apples, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

The depression hit southern California just as oil drilling industries and housing developments were starting to bring new growth to the community. The local bank closed and the industries in California collapsed. In 1933, additional disasters followed when an earthquake damaged the primary school and local businesses, and generally shook the community. However, soon the school was rebuilt as the Clara McNally School and continued operating. These buildings are currently being used for service and school administrative purposes.

These days, Costa Mesa is a major industrial and commercial center in Orange County. The population was 113,143 according to the census taken in 2005. Several thousand people came to the region for training at the Santa Ana Air base as a result of WW II. This air base is located on what is currently known as the Civic Center, Orange Coast College, and the Orange County Fairgrounds. Many of these men and women returned with their families to start the population expansion which is still continuing.

The year 1953 brought the incorporation of the community as a city. The form of government selected was a City Council Manager. The population of the new city was 16,840 people and there was 3.5 square miles of area. This area was increased to 17 square miles and the population had increased to 90,000 people by 1988.

Since the community was incorporated as a city, Costa Mesa has been converted from a quiet suburban community that had deep farming roots to a world class city that features some of the best cultural arts, retail centers, and restaurants in the country. It is also currently the capitol of the action sports industry.

Free Initial Consultation

Our law office would like to hear your concerns about the family law issues that are arising. Contact us anytime for an initial complimentary consultation. We generally answer the phone during non-business hours within reason, and we will get back to you promptly if we are unavailable. Addressing family law issues promptly is critical. Our office will advocate for a fair outcome if you allow us to earn your trust.

Regain Peace of Mind

Our family law attorneys understand how difficult it is when one parent unjustifiably withholds children from the other parent or communicates a desire to move away with the children to another state or county. Obtaining child custody orders from the court will prohibit a parent from taking unjustifiable action. Also, our divorce attorneys know how important it is to divide community property, and to establish or defend against spousal support and child support. Rely on us to zealously argue for a fair and just outcome.

Menu