Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation Serving Torrance
Mother & Daughter Legal Team
Parental Rights of Fathers
With 70 years of combined experience, you can trust that your case is in good hands.
Torrance Fathers’ Rights Legal Assistance
Safeguarding Fathers’ Rights Across California
When it comes to deciding family law matters involving children, California courts do not base custody decisions on a parent’s gender. While the old-fashioned way of thinking says that the mother is the nurturer and therefore the better parent, the reality is that fathers are just as capable of being good parents, though a father may need legal parentage established before seeking court orders. Courts evaluate custody and parenting-time issues based on the child’s best interests and the facts of the case.
If you are someone who needs to protect your fathers’ rights in court, you can find strong legal advocacy when you turn to Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation. Our law firm has Torrance divorce attorneys who represent clients in Torrance and the Los Angeles area, as well as in other parts of California. Don’t hesitate to turn to our firm for effective legal representation!
California Parentage & Custody Decisions for Fathers
A fathers’ rights attorney can help determine whether legal parentage must be established before you seek child custody, parenting time, or child support orders. In California, only legal parents can generally ask the court for custody and parenting-time orders, and legal parents may have financial support responsibilities.
Establishing Legal Parentage
Legal parentage may be established through a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage: a form that can establish a legal parent-child relationship, or through a court proceeding. When parentage is disputed, the court may address paternity testing as part of the case.
Once legal parentage is established, a parent may seek legal custody, physical custody, parenting time, and child support orders. A California parenting plan addresses where a child lives, when each parent spends time with the child, and how parents make important decisions.
A parent may also ask the court to review or modify custody or parenting-time orders when circumstances or an existing order require review. A fathers’ rights lawyer can provide case-specific guidance about the available options, including child custody orders. Whether you are seeking joint custody or sole custody, we can provide you with solid representation!
Here are some of the many different ways in which we can help fathers take a stand for their rights:
Securing Fathers’ Visitation Rights: Some fathers prefer to seek visitation, also called parenting time, rather than a particular custody arrangement. Parenting-time orders may address regular visits with the child, including certain days or weekends. A fathers’ rights lawyer in Torrance whom families can turn to, our law firm can assist fathers seeking court orders for parenting time.
Understanding Fathers’ Legal Rights in Adoption: If a child is going to be put up for adoption, a father’s rights may depend on the facts of the case and applicable California notice and adoption consent rules. In order to have the right to make an adoption-related decision, the court may consider whether the father made efforts to serve as the child’s parent. If this is not shown, the court might not recognize the father’s parental rights.
Our law firm has been serving clients throughout the South Bay since 1977. With 70 years of combined experience between our attorneys, we are well suited to represent you in your family law matter.
I couldn't have chosen a better law team to represent my family and me. Everyone in the office treats us with love and care, ensuring that I understand everything that is happening. You are a wonderful, loyal person, and you are also an excellent, caring, and highly professional lawyer. Words cannot express how grateful I am for all you have done. I did not want the day to pass without thanking you again for your work today.
Mikki D.
“I thank them for their excellence”
Pat, Colleen, and the team helped me through a very difficult custody issue many years ago, so I called them again when I needed to divorce. I thank them for their excellence, efficiency, and a successful settlement!
Shireen C.
“Colleen was by my side”
Divorce can be very difficult, expensive and stressful. You need someone to talk to that could lead you in the right direction when you’re ready. Colleen was the right person to do that. She and Pat Barberis are the team that made me feel protected when I was the most vulnerable early in the divorce process. They were patient with me and Colleen was by my side in court when I really needed in person representation before the court.
C.D.
“I would strongly recommend Pat”
Pat helped me with my divorce, which was a difficult time for me. She was fantastic, helping me through the whole process. She worked very hard to ensure it was as positive an outcome for me as possible.
When I turned to her for some legal advice just recently, several years after my divorce, I was able to set up a consultation with her that same day. She worked through the situation with me, understanding it and providing me with options that could be pursued, and giving me very solid advice. I would never hesitate to engage her again if the need arose. I would strongly recommend Pat for any family law needs you might have.
Joseph R.
“Pat Barberis is fabulous!”
Pat helped me with my divorce previously, which was a very difficult time for me. She was fantastic, helping me through the whole process. She worked very hard to ensure it was as positive an outcome for me as possible. When I turned to her for some legal advice just recently, several years after my divorce, I was able to set up a consultation with her that same day. She worked through the situation with me, understanding the it and providing me with options that could be pursued, and giving me very solid advice. I would never hesitate to engage her again if the need arose. I would strongly recommend Pat for any family law needs you might have.
Joe
“Thank you so much”
Pat did a phenomenal job throughout my high conflict divorce. She will communicate all your options to you, she will advocate for you and fight for you, and she is so knowledgeable--her amount of expertise will put your mind at ease. She would be so prompt with all communications that if I ever had a question she would even respond to me after hours or on the weekends if needed (which I was super impressed with and it was much appreciated). Her team (which includes Colleen Barberis) and all of the office staff were incredible throughout the divorce and I will be forever grateful to them for getting me to the finish line with this divorce. I walked away with an incredible settlement and had a great outcome because of all their hard work. Thank you so much Pat, Colleen, and office staff!!
Liz L
“I would recommend them to everyone.”
Patricia and Colleen and their helpful office staff were a full service team who helped support me and get me through my family court battles. They were quick to respond and helpful. I would recommend them to everyone.
Sarah T.
“They are wonderful people and are extremely knowledgeable.”
I have had the best representation and experience with the law team of Patricia Barberis. I have had the pleasure of using them twice. They do a great job. Patricia Colleen and everyone in the office is super helpful and very talented in what they do. Their understanding of family law is amazing. Patricia and her team were very kind and patient with me in difficult times and circumstances. The last one was during the Pandemic late last year and they did an A+ job. Patricia’s guidance was super helpful and her paralegal Nancy did a fantastic job too. I highly recommend Patricia Barberis Law Firm for all family law matters. They are wonderful people and are extremely knowledgeable.
Meet Pat & ColleenDiscover the experience and dedication behind our trusted mother–daughter legal team.
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