Camarillo Parental Rights Attorney

Going through a divorce or separation is not going to be easy on anyone involved, particularly when there are minor children involved. At the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi, we understand that this is an incredibly emotional issue, and we are ready to get help. Our parental rights attorneys have vast experience handling these delicate issues. We understand all aspects of California’s family law and can navigate the court system for your case. We will ensure your parental rights are upheld.

Understanding parental rights in Camarillo

The term “parental rights” refers to rights that both parents have to the care and companionship of their children. However, this can become complicated when a divorce or separation occurs. When that happens, the California family court system recognizes that both parents continue to have rights (unless these rights are terminated, as we discuss below). In general, parental rights will revolve around the following:

• Child custody: Both parents have custody rights over their children. This includes legal custody, which determines which parent(s) have the right to make all legal decisions concerning the child’s welfare (education, medical, religious, and more). This also includes the child’s physical custody, which determines where the child will live.
• Visitation: In the event, one parent does not have physical custody of their child, they will still likely be allowed visitation rights. A visitation schedule needs to be arranged and agreed upon before a divorce is finalized.

What about paternity tests?

It is vital that a child’s paternity is established to ensure the rights of both parents. Establishing paternity is particularly vital in the following situations:

• If a father is refusing to pay child support by claiming the child is not theirs.
• If a mother refuses to allow custody or visitation to the father.

Attorney Stephanie L. Mahdavi will work to get a court-ordered DNA test to resolve issues of paternity.

Can parental rights be terminated?

There are times when it may be necessary to petition the court to terminate one parent’s rights, especially if a child’s welfare is at risk. There are various reasons that may require parental right termination, including:

• abandonment
• evidence of physical abuse
• sexual assault
• drug or alcohol abuse
• neglect
• risk of harm or injury to the child
• unfit parenting
• other criminal activity

Parental right termination will also be necessary if a stepparent wishes to formally adopt their stepchild. This process can also become contentious and require help from an attorney.

Let our team get to work today

If you are going through a separation or divorce, and you have children under the age of 18, you need to ensure your parental rights are upheld. At the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi, you can count on us to get you through this process. The family law court in California takes parental rights very seriously, but there are times when these rights are put in jeopardy. Let Camarillo parental rights attorney Stephanie L. Mahdavi take the steps necessary to protect you and your children today. You can contact us for a consultation by clicking here or calling 805-379-4550.