Custody and Support

Experienced California Child Custody Attorney

Visitation • Child Support and Enforcement • Paternity

Even more than divorce itself, child custody disputes evoke tension, hostility and raw emotion in parents with competing wishes. The parties are hard-pressed to set aside personal differences to reach the goal of what is best for the children involved. It quite often happens that the parties are distracted by the turmoil between them to make permanent, rational decisions for their children.

Nonetheless, they know a solution must be found. Thousands of divorcing couples and unmarried parents have turned to the Law Offices of Wilkirson & Associates for guidance, advice, and strong legal advocacy. We serve the Orange County and the Coachella Valley areas, with offices in Newport Beach and Palm Springs. We maintain allegiance to our clients' rights while resolving custody and child support conflicts in the best interests of the children.

Family Law Solutions Since 1974 - 877-855-5900

David L. Wilkirson has practiced family law in California for more than 30 years. His knowledge of the law and commitment to excellence has led to his regular service as a temporary judge in Orange County Superior Court. He extends the same sound reasoning and problem-solving skills to his firm's clientele that he uses when he is sitting as a judge.

Child Custody in California
Custody is the charge and control of a child, including the right to make all major decisions regarding education, religious upbringing, training, health and welfare. Courts consider both physical custody (where the child lives the majority of the time) and legal custody (decision-making responsibility).

Many factors influence an award of custody, and the way a case is presented in court can have a large impact on the result for you and your children. Mr. Wilkirson's experience is invaluable in advocating your position. If you are awarded primary custody, he will help you draft a custody agreement that clearly spells out the role of each parent and scheduling specifics to avoid future conflicts. If you are the non-custodial parent, he ensures that you retain regular visitation and your rightful involvement in your child's life.

Child Support Issues
Child support is ordered by the court to compensate for the expenses of raising the child. Determination of child support is based on state guidelines regarding income and the amount of parenting time. If one parent is awarded sole custody, the non-custodial parent is ordered to make regular payments for their fair share of expenses. In joint custody, support obligations are shared; any child support is generally based on a ratio of the parents' incomes and the amount of parenting time contributed by each parent.

Our job is to ensure the court has solid information in awarding child support so that our client is not financially burdened. We also represent both custodial and non-custodial parents in child support enforcement actions relating to past due child support.

Paternity Claims
Wilkirson & Associates defends both mothers' rights and fathers' rights. We represent women seeking a court order to compel the father to pay child support or participate in child-rearing. We also represent men in paternity actions to gain visitation rights or joint custody of their child.

See our page on Modifications if you are seeking to change prior court orders regarding custody or child support.

Stepparents and Grandparents

• We handle stepparent adoption, including proceedings to terminate the rights proceedings of the absent parent(s).
• We represent grandparents in petitioning the court for their state-recognized visitation rights (such as after a divorce), as well as grandparents seeking to formally adopt a grandchild placed in their care.

Experienced and Effective - 877-855-5900
California child custody attorney David L. Wilkirson is there for you when the most important things in your life - your children - are the focus of your legal needs. Contact us to arrange a free initial consultation at our Newport Beach or Palm Springs office. Evening and weekend appointments available.