Ridgecrest Child Custody Lawyer

Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest spousal support.

Long-term Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest 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.

Ridgecrest Divorce Lawyer

A Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest divorce lawyer that is well versed in California State divorce laws. We are accomplished, experienced, and compassionate Ridgecrest divorce lawyers, able to handle the most complex and involved cases.

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

About Ridgecrest, CA

Ridgecrest, California is located in the northeastern corner of Kern County in the southernmost portion of the Indian Wells Valley and is surrounded on the south by the El Paso Mountains, on the east by the Argus Mountain Range, on the north by the Cosos Mountain Range, and on the west by the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. It is about two hours from both San Bernardino and Bakersfield and about one hour and 15 minutes from the Palmdale/Lancaster region. The community is close to two major highways, which are the 14 and the 395. The Inyokern Airport provides air travel in and out of the community. These transportation routes make Ridgecrest, a centralized hub for business and shopping in the Eastern Kern County region. Ridgecrest is also an ideal location for industry because it is easily accessible to the remainder of southern California.

At one time, the Indian Wells Valley area that is currently known as Ridgecrest was a portion of the territory used by the Kawaiisu Indians. However, the Kawaiisu homeland was located in the Piute and Tehachapi Mountain areas to the west. The primary reason for travel into the region was for the seasonal collection of animals and plants that weren't available in the mountains. The Kawaiisu excelled at basket making and used them for food storage, preparation, and harvesting.

From the 1950's until the 1960's, Ridgecrest evolved into a dynamic and growing community and as a support community, it was critical to the Navy mission of providing services and housing to contractors and Federal employees. The year 1963 brought the incorporation of Ridgecrest as a city and the community currently provides shopping for more than 40,000 people all throughout the Indian Wells Valley. NAWS (Naval Air Weapons Station), China Lake and NWC (Naval Weapons Center, China Lake are the home of Healing Field to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. This organization continues to be the primary source of employment for the residents of Ridgecrest. The emergence as a community in its own right has been primarily the result of the economic stability of Ridgecrest as service community for the NAWS. Also, many of the same location characteristics that originally attracted the NAWS, such as proximity to Bakersfield and Los Angeles, easy access to many different recreational opportunities, highway accessibility, good water, clean air, and space to grow, have helped with the development of the community. The friendly business attitude in Ridgecrest continues to serve as an attraction for businesses to relocate to the Indian Wells Valley as well as to Ridgecrest.

Ridgecrest enjoys an ever increasing population of something over 27,000 residents and also has a flourishing economy. Also, Ridgecrest is the only incorporated community in the Indian Wells Valley. Ridgecrest is considered the business and shopping hub for northeastern Kern County.

The population growth rate is higher than the national average rate of 9.71 percent and is also higher than the state average rate of 9.99 percent. Between 2008 and 2012, the median household income in Ridgecrest was $60,885, which has increased by 35.39 percent since 2000. The income growth rate is higher than the national average rate of 26.32 percent and is also higher than the state average rate of 29.28 percent. Between 2008 and 2012, the median value if a house in Ridgecrest was $184,200, which has increased by 154.42 percent since 2000. The rate of growth in the value of a house is much higher than the national average rate of 51.67 percent and also much higher than the state average rate of 81.51 percent. The CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation rate for the same time period was 26.63 percent as a reference. The public school district that covers Ridgecrest is better on average than the state average in quality.

For a three bedroom, two bath home for sale in the region start at $427,000. Rental properties including apartments are also available. For a one bedroom one bath apartment the monthly rent starts at $661. For those visitors who want temporary lodging, local hotels such as the Comfort Inn and Best Western offer accommodations that include complimentary breakfasts and access to high speed Internet. The nightly rates begin at $92.

Local attractions include the nearby Maturango Museum that offers the cultural history of the Mojave Desert region, which provides a look at the bison and mammoth bones that were found in the close by China lake, as well as flowering plants and the natural wildlife in the area. There are thousands of years of history that are covered in the many different galleries. In addition, there is the Little Petroglyph Canyon that offers canyons that contain rock paintings that pre date the Native Indians in the region. The canyon offers walking tours daily for visitors. There are numerous other attractions in Ridgecrest as well as many fine eating establishments and plenty of shopping available.

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.

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