San Francisco Child Custody Attorneys
A Certified Family Law Specialist & 60 Years of Experience Fighting for San Francisco Families
When parents part through legal separation or divorce, or were never married, child custody and support become the most consequential issues they’ll face. Establishing parentage may also be necessary before custody rights can be pursued. How these matters are resolved will shape your children’s lives and your role in them for years to come. Pursuing a strong position early can help reduce conflict as a co-parent. Because disputes arise easily and the stakes are high, speaking with an experienced California family law attorney as early as possible is essential.
Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP is a family law firm with more than 60 years of collective experience. Founding attorney Lorie Nachlis holds the California Board of Legal Specialization Certified Family Law Specialist designation, one of the most rigorous credentials in the field. That depth of knowledge means our clients have sophisticated, experienced counsel for even the most contentious custody matters, including those with international family law dimensions. We serve clients in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, and Santa Clara counties.
To speak with our San Francisco child custody lawyers, call us at (415) 855-9344 or contact us online today.
Child Custody Cases Our Attorneys Handle
We handle difficult custody and visitation matters across the full range: negotiation, mediation, and courtroom litigation in adversarial cases. Every parent we represent needs to understand one foundational principle: California courts apply the best interests of the child standard, not the preferences of either parent. Both parents have legal rights with respect to their children, but one parent’s rights don’t extinguish the other’s.
What Are the Different Types of Child Custody?
California recognizes two types of child custody:
- Legal custody grants a parent the authority to make decisions about a child’s schooling, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.
- Physical custody determines with whom the child resides.
Both can be granted on a shared or sole basis, in various combinations. Shared legal and physical custody, for example, gives both parents decision-making authority and residential time under a detailed parenting plan. Parenting plans outline custody schedules and are part of the legally binding custody order, which can be enforced through court action. When circumstances change significantly for a parent or child, you can petition to modify the order by showing a substantial change in circumstances.
Child Support
California uses a guideline formula to calculate child support based on each parent’s income, custody time, and allowable expenses such as childcare and health insurance. Our attorneys understand how those variables interact and affect the support amount ordered. Whether you need to seek, contest, enforce, or modify a support order, we can help.
Creating a Parenting Plan for Your Child’s Well-Being
A well-crafted parenting plan provides the structure children need and reduces the friction that vague arrangements inevitably produce. We work closely with each client to develop a plan tailored to their family’s specific circumstances and their child’s needs.
A comprehensive parenting plan typically addresses:
- Physical custody arrangements
- Legal custody decisions
- Visitation schedules
- Holiday and vacation plans
- Communication methods between parents
- Education and healthcare decisions
Every family is different. We tailor each plan to the situation at hand, with the goal of reaching a fair, sustainable agreement that holds up over time.
To speak with our San Francisco child custody lawyers, call us at (415) 855-9344 or contact us online today.
How the San Francisco Unified Family Court Handles Custody Disputes
Custody matters in San Francisco are heard in the San Francisco Unified Family Court, the specialized family law division of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. Before a judge hears a contested custody matter, both parents must attend mediation through Family Court Services (FCS). We prepare clients for each stage of this process: from the required parental orientation through FCS mediation and, where necessary, contested hearings.
Confidential Mediation Through Family Court Services
San Francisco’s FCS mediation is confidential: if parents don’t reach an agreement, the mediator doesn’t make a recommendation to the judge. This sets San Francisco apart from some California counties where mediators do report to the court. Before the FCS session takes place, all parents in San Francisco custody proceedings must complete a court-mandated parental orientation program.
Tier 2 Assessments in High-Conflict Cases
When FCS mediation doesn’t produce an agreement in a high-conflict case, a judge may order a Tier 2 Assessment. A neutral professional gathers information from relevant parties. This may include parents, children, schools, and therapists. The professional then delivers a focused report to the court. A Tier 2 Assessment isn’t a full custody evaluation, but it can carry meaningful weight in the judge’s decision.
What to Expect During the Child Custody Process
The custody process follows a predictable sequence, and knowing what lies ahead makes it less daunting. Here’s a brief overview:
- Initial Consultation: We meet with you to discuss your situation, goals, and concerns and provide guidance tailored to your circumstances.
- Filing the Petition: We assist you in preparing and filing the legal documents needed to initiate the custody process.
- Mediation: Many custody cases resolve through mediation, where both parents work with a neutral third party to reach an agreement centered on the child’s best interests.
- Court Hearing: If mediation doesn’t resolve the dispute, your case proceeds to court. Our attorneys represent you and advocate for the custody arrangement you’re seeking.
- Final Custody Order: After reviewing the evidence and hearing from both parents, the court issues a final custody order that sets the terms for custody and visitation.
Factors That Shape Child Custody Decisions
Procedures and judicial expectations vary by jurisdiction, and working with a custody lawyer familiar with the San Francisco Unified Family Court matters. We make sure clients understand the specific factors local judges weigh so they’re prepared at every stage.
Key factors courts consider in custody decisions include:
- Child’s age and developmental needs: Custody arrangements should reflect what the child actually needs at their stage of development, including any special requirements.
- Parental involvement: California courts generally favor arrangements that keep both parents meaningfully involved in the child’s life.
- Stability and continuity: A consistent living situation matters. We help clients present information that shows they can provide that stability.
- Communication and cooperation: How parents communicate with each other affects custody outcomes. We can help structure discussions that keep the child’s needs at the center.
- Legal rights and responsibilities: We make sure you understand your rights as a parent and what the custody arrangement may require of you going forward.
Common Child Custody & Support Mistakes to Avoid
Custody and support proceedings are high-stakes, and certain missteps can significantly affect the course of a case. Here are some of the most common ones we see and help clients avoid:
- Failing to document important information: Records of communications, schedules, and significant events can be critical in court. Parents who don’t keep them often regret it.
- Ignoring legal advice: Underestimating the value of experienced legal counsel leads to costly errors in custody arrangements.
- Arriving at hearings unprepared: Showing up without the necessary documentation or a clear understanding of the process puts you at a real disadvantage.
- Emotional decision-making: Decisions driven by frustration or anger rarely serve a child’s interests or the parent’s case.
- Poor co-parent communication: Unnecessary conflict between parents creates complications in scheduling and co-parenting that spill into court proceedings.
- Underestimating the parenting plan: A vague plan invites disputes. A detailed one can help prevent them.
- Focusing on your own desires over the child’s needs: Courts are focused on the child. Cases built around a parent’s preferences, rather than the child’s well-being, may be viewed less favorably.
- Neglecting to modify orders when circumstances change: Failing to update custody or support orders after a significant life change can create enforcement problems down the road.
We provide tailored legal advice at every stage so our clients understand the process, avoid these pitfalls, and make decisions aligned with their child’s best interests.
Why San Francisco Families Choose Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP for Child Custody Representation
Every family’s custody situation is different, and we approach each one that way. Our attorneys are well versed in California’s child custody laws and understand the human challenges that come with these cases.
Here’s what sets our representation apart:
- Certified Family Law Specialist: Attorney Lorie Nachlis holds the California Board of Legal Specialization certification in family law, a credential that reflects advanced knowledge and demonstrated competence in the field.
- Collective depth of experience: Our attorneys bring more than 60 years of combined experience to every case, including contested, high-asset, and international custody matters.
- Comprehensive support: We provide guidance from the initial consultation through final order, keeping you informed at each stage.
- Tailored strategies: We develop approaches specific to your goals and your child’s circumstances, not generic playbooks.
- San Francisco focus: Our office is rooted in the San Francisco community, and our attorneys know the local courts and judicial expectations relevant to this jurisdiction.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a resolution that fits your family’s needs.
Relocation Cases & Child Custody in San Francisco
When a parent needs to relocate for work, family, or personal reasons, existing custody arrangements can become complicated quickly. California courts, including those at the San Francisco Superior Court, examine both the legal requirements and the potential effect on the child’s best interests before approving any substantial change to living arrangements.
A parent seeking to relocate must present a clear rationale and show how the move relates to the child’s emotional and educational needs. We guide clients through gathering the documentation needed for contested hearings and incorporate local factors, such as proximity to schools and extended family in the area, into the case strategy. Understanding how San Francisco judges approach relocation matters is essential to presenting a credible position.
Key considerations in relocation cases include:
- Maintaining meaningful access to both parents, or addressing the impact of reduced access on the child
- Educational continuity in both the current and proposed locations
- Compliance with existing custody orders and applicable California law throughout the process
We help clients evaluate their options and build a position that puts the child’s best interests first while accounting for the family’s evolving circumstances.
Talk to a San Francisco child custody and support attorney about your case. Contact us online or call (415) 855-9344 to schedule a consultation.