California Family Law

Family law decisions affect children, finances, housing, and daily life. Edgar & Dow helps clients address California divorce, custody, support, and related disputes. Start with the issue you need to resolve, then use our topic libraries for more detailed guidance.

By H. William Edgar | Edgar & Dow

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Find guidance for your situation

• Divorce: property, financial disclosure, and resolving disputes
• Child custody and visitation
• Child support: calculations, changes, and enforcement
• Spousal support
• Military divorce
• Stepparent visitation

Child custody and parenting arrangements

We help parents prepare custody requests, respond to disputed allegations, develop parenting arrangements, and address changes to existing orders. Bring the current order, a parenting calendar, and the next hearing or mediation notice. The Child Custody and Visitation Library covers schedules, decision-making, safety concerns, relocation, and enforcement.

Child support and spousal support

The financial questions begin with reliable records and a careful reading of any existing order. Our Child Support hub addresses guideline calculations, income disputes, modifications, arrears, and DCSS. Our Spousal Support library addresses support between spouses.

Parents’ rights and fathers’ rights

A parent’s concerns may involve decision-making, parenting time, access to information, or an existing order that is no longer workable. We assess the requested relief and the evidence needed to present it. Keep the focus on the child’s circumstances and the specific terms the court is being asked to make or change.

Explore custody questions and practical next steps.

Domestic violence and family safety

A family safety concern may require attention to protective orders, parenting arrangements, and evidence of the conduct at issue. Preserve complete messages, photographs, prior orders, and the dates of incidents. For immediate danger, call 911.

Read about domestic violence and child custody.

Restraining orders

Whether you are requesting protection or responding to a request, read the papers and identify the hearing date and any temporary orders. The type of relationship and the conduct alleged affect the appropriate procedure. The California Courts domestic violence restraining order guide explains that process.

Grandparents and stepparents

Requests by relatives require their own legal analysis. Our grandparent and family visitation guides and stepparent visitation guide explain the questions to examine before seeking an order.

Guardianship

When a nonparent needs legal authority to care for a child, begin by identifying the child’s current court involvement and the authority being requested. A probate guardianship and a juvenile court proceeding have different procedures. Bring existing custody or guardianship orders and any pending petitions. See the California Courts guardianship guide.

Prenuptial agreements

Planning before marriage begins with candid financial disclosure and a clear discussion of the proposed terms. Allow time to examine assets, debts, income, business interests, and the intended treatment of property and support. Seek advice about the agreement’s terms and signing process well before the wedding.

Family law appeals

If you are considering challenging a ruling, obtain the signed order, notice of entry or service documents, and hearing information promptly. The first questions include whether the decision is appealable, the applicable deadline, and the record available for review. See California Courts guidance on appeal deadlines.

Speak with Edgar & Dow

Tell us your county, the next deadline, and what you need the court order to address. Bring your existing orders, recent court papers, and relevant financial records. Contact Edgar & Dow or find an office and local information.

This page provides general information. The facts, governing orders, and applicable procedures determine the available options.