Ramona Paternity and Child Custody Attorneys: Their Job Profile

Amongst all various cases of family law, there is probably none that evoke the same sentiments and feelings as paternity and child custody cases, simply because the well-being and the future of a child usually hangs in limbo and the parents are not married. In Ramona and east county, the family law code makes it clear that the absolute resolution of paternity claims is the pre-requisite for beginning child custody claims cases and as such there are many attorneys in San Diego who are trained to handle the legal complexities of both paternity and child custody issues.

Although legally, there are only three issues attached with paternity cases — child custody, visitation rights, and child support—the outcome of a paternity case may also influence a child’s right to benefits that he may obtain through his father, like social security and military benefits, inheritance claims, and survivor benefits. Paternity disputes in San Diego often arise if there is no voluntary declaration of paternity, a legal system that is used by many major hospitals, or if not any Judicial Council Form has been filled out and made an order as a Judgment of a paternity case.

In San Diego, California, the family law code makes it mandatory that disputes regarding paternity must be decided by a court and that an attorney must represent the rights of the father if the latter cannot afford one for the legal issue of paternity only. The introduction of standardized DNA tests has simplified trials in paternity cases but paternity and child custody attorneys in Ramona still witness complicated instances where an individual, after having voluntarily declared his paternity, finds out that he is not the biological father of the child. In such instances, the outcome of the case is mostly decided by factors that serve what is best for the child.

Child custody in Ramona are of two kinds, legal and physical. Mediation, as part of Family Court Services, is the norm in all California child custody issues arising from divorce or legal separation cases, except those of the parent. If there are findings of abuse, molest, neglect, or flight risk or other factors, then the Court may award sole legal custody whereas the standard orders are for joint legal custody. San Diego County being a recommending county, the mediator recommends a solution to the custody issue and ensuing visitation rights if the parents cannot come to a unanimous decision by the end of the mandatory mediation session.

Child custody cases are often bitterly contested but attorneys can present a strong case that takes into account factors like stability and bonding and thus ensure an outcome that is in the best interests of the child.

The mindboggling number of variables that determine the outcomes of paternity and child custody cases can best be handled by experienced and qualified attorneys, like those at Doppelt and Forney, APLC. This law firm has been handling such cases with competence since 1988 and has been located in the same office since 1998. Their services are not only praised by their legions of clients in and around Ramona but also have been acknowledged in esteemed sources like the Marquis’ Who’s Who in American Law [2011-2012].

This dedicated attorney and paralegal firm offers free in-person or virtual consultation services for up to 30 minutes, does not charge additional fees for routine fillings in San Diego courts, and provides child support analysis using Disso Master absolutely free of cost. It is thus not difficult to fathom why Doppelt and Forney, APLC, has received an A+ rating from the San Diego Better Business Bureau.