Glendale
Family Lawyer
Trusted Family Law Attorney in Glendale, CA
You may have never expected to need a family lawyer, but here you are, and the decisions ahead of you are some of the biggest of your life. The fear of losing time with your kids, your home, or your financial security is real, and you should not have to face it without someone in your corner.
A Glendale family lawyer can help you protect what matters most, whether that means negotiating a fair settlement, standing up for your parental rights, or keeping you and your children safe. You do not have to figure this out alone. The right attorney can turn an overwhelming situation into a clear, manageable path forward.
What Are Family Law Practice Areas?
Divorce
Parentage
Sometimes, there are circumstances where a child’s legal parentage must be determined. Examples of these situations include visitation and custody rights, as well as child support. To be granted either of these, you must be the child’s legal parent. Parents who adopt, including step-parents, domestic partners, same-sex couples, or estranged parents, will need to prove their legal parentage.
California law also allows a court, in rare cases, to recognize more than two legal parents for a child when doing so protects the child’s best interests. This is sometimes called the “three-parent law” (Family Code Section 7612(c)).
Child Custody and Visitation
California recognizes two types of custody: legal custody, which is the right to make major decisions about a child’s health, education, and welfare, and physical custody, which determines where the child mainly lives. Courts often award joint legal custody so both parents share decision-making, even when one parent has primary physical custody.
Visitation, also called parenting time, sets the schedule for when a child is with the parent who does not have primary physical custody. Parents can agree on their own parenting plan, or a judge will create one based on the child’s best interests if they cannot agree. Common arrangements include alternating weekends, holiday and summer schedules, and, for very young children, shorter and more frequent visits to maintain bonding. In cases involving safety concerns, such as domestic violence or substance abuse, a court can order supervised visitation, where a neutral third party is present during the visit, or in more serious cases, deny visitation altogether. A visitation order can be changed later if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a parent relocating or a child’s needs changing as they grow older.
Judges decide custody based on the child’s best interests, using the factors in Family Code Sections 3011, 3020, and 3021, and look closely at the child’s health, safety, and stability. Starting January 1, 2026, courts must also consider whether a parent has illegally possessed a firearm when deciding whether to limit that parent’s custody or visitation.
Child Support
In addition to child custody, parents who separate will also have to address the issue of child support. All children need to be financially supported in order to thrive, and child support payments ensure this occurs. Determining who pays child support and how much can be a major issue. A Glendale child support lawyer can work with parents to ensure they receive the child support they and their children deserve.
California calculates child support using a statewide formula found in Family Code Sections 4050 through 4076. A parent’s income and the amount of time each parent spends with the child are the two biggest factors in this formula. Senate Bill 343 raised the income protections for lower-earning parents and requires local child support agencies to review a parent’s real earning ability, not just what they report on paper.
Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
Unfortunately, there are some couples who struggle with domestic violence. Domestic violence can involve physical or emotional abuse, including isolation and threatening situations. If you are a victim of domestic violence, a family lawyer can help you obtain a restraining order. A restraining order protects you from the abuser, whether they are an intimate partner or a family member. This is because it limits their access to you both physically and emotionally.
California courts can issue several types of restraining orders in family law cases, including emergency protective orders that police can request on your behalf at any time, and longer-term orders a judge issues after a hearing.
Guardianship
Not all parents are parents by birth. Sometimes, people choose to parent a child because the birth parent loses parental rights or because one or both of the parents passes away. In this case, the person who seeks guardianship has to go through the family law court to receive custody of the child. Choosing the right family law firm can ensure this process goes smoothly and that the guardianship is legally binding.
A newer California law called the Family Preparedness Plan Act (AB 495), effective January 1, 2026, lets parents name a temporary guardian in advance, such as a grandparent or other trusted relative, without giving up their own parental rights. This can matter for parents who worry about being suddenly unable to care for their children, since it helps keep children with family they already know.
Guardianship cases are generally handled in the Probate Division of the Superior Court, which coordinates with the Family Law Division whenever a guardianship overlaps with an existing custody or support order.
How Family Law Cases Work at the Burbank Courthouse
Because family law matters for Glendale are handled at the Burbank Courthouse, it helps to know what happens once a case is filed. After you file paperwork with the court clerk, the other party must generally be formally served, unless you are using the new joint-petition process described above. If your case involves child custody or visitation and the parents cannot agree, Los Angeles County requires the parents to attend Family Court Services mediation before a judge will decide the issue.
The Family Court Services office is located at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles, with appointments available in the morning and early afternoon.
When Do I Know It’s Time to Consult With a Family Lawyer?
Sometimes, families can come to agreements on serious issues without the need for intervention. However, there are times when issues become so contentious that lawyers need to get involved. If you have a contentious divorce, for instance, or if you and your partner are determining child custody arrangements, you should consider consulting with a family lawyer.
Family lawyers understand the law as it pertains to issues involving family members and children. Their experience and knowledge can help you both inside and outside of court.
Meeting with a family lawyer for an initial consultation does not obligate you to hire that attorney. It is simply a chance to ask questions, understand your options, and decide who you feel comfortable working with during a difficult time.
FAQs About Glendale, CA Family Law
What Is the Charge Per Hour for a Family Lawyer in California?
The charge per hour for a family lawyer in California varies based on experience, location, and time commitment. Lawyers who work in counties with a high cost of living may charge higher hourly rates, while those in lower-income communities may charge less. Further, lawyers with more knowledge and experience can justify charging a higher hourly rate. Finally, if the case is more complicated, the hourly rate may increase.
Do All Family Cases Go to Court in California?
No, sometimes family lawyers can mediate conflicts out of court. Not all family law cases go to trial or require court proceedings. Sometimes, families simply need a neutral third party to help them resolve issues. In these situations, family lawyers may charge hourly rates to help their clients come to an agreement. Examples of these cases are custody arrangements where both parents agree, divorce mediation, or non-violent domestic disputes.
What Does a Family Lawyer Do in California?
A family lawyer in California has a range of responsibilities. To start, family lawyers can represent their clients in court, draw up legal documents, or mediate conflicts amongst family members. Some common practice areas are divorce, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and child custody. Ultimately, family lawyers help families with the legal actions required to resolve their issues.
Is California a 50/50 Community Property State?
Yes. California divides most property and debt acquired during the marriage equally between spouses, regardless of whose name is on the asset or who earned the income. Property owned before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, is generally treated as separate property instead.
How Long Do I Have to Pay Spousal Support in California?
There is no fixed length. Courts often set a temporary support period for shorter marriages, roughly half the length of the marriage, but for marriages of ten years or more a judge may keep jurisdiction over support indefinitely. Either spouse can ask the court to modify or end support later if circumstances change significantly.
What Court Hears Family Law Cases for Glendale Residents?
Family law cases for Glendale are heard at the Burbank Courthouse, not the Glendale Courthouse. The Burbank Courthouse is located at 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502.
Legal Support From the Law Offices of Patricia A. Rigdon
If you need help with your divorce, child custody arrangements, or domestic violence disputes, you should speak with a family lawyer. Family lawyers are trained to help resolve family conflicts. At the Law Offices of Patricia A. Rigdon, our legal team can guide you to a successful resolution to your legal issue.
Patricia A. Rigdon is a Certified Family Law Specialist, credentialed by the California Board of Legal Specialization, and has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2014.
Glendale Practice Areas
DO YOU NEED LEGAL HELP?
The mediation process provides a more peaceful alternative to fighting about your personal issues in court. Read more to see if divorce mediation is right for you.
Collaboration brings attorneys, mental health professionals & accountants together to resolve family issues without going to court. Read more to see if a Collaborative Divorce is right for you.
Litigation in the divorce process involves submitting issues to family court in order to resolve them with the assistance of a judge, if both parties cannot reach an agreement in other ways. Read more to see if Divorce Litigation will be needed.