Finding a California Divorce Lawyer, California Custody Lawyer, or California Child Support Lawyer for Men

The following is general information which you can use to help you find a California divorce, custody or child support lawyer for fathers. As is the case with many things, the very best way to find a California family law attorney is to ask others you know who have been through divorces or other family law situations in California, and to get referrals from them. However, this is not always possible. In that case, you will want to contact California bar associations and legal organizations for recommendations and referrals. You can find these organizations online, through a local library, or with our Directory of Legal Agencies and Resources for All 50 States for only $19.95 with instant download!

Generally speaking, when contacting an California bar or other association to find a California divorce lawyer, it will be helpful for you to briefly explain your situation, why you need a California lawyer, which party you are, and whether you are filing a new case or this is an existing California child custody or child support case (and if the latter, what stage of your case you are in), so that they can best match you with the most appropriate California lawyer.

Make sure to emphasize that you need someone who is familiar with and believes in childrens' needs to have an ongoing relationship with their father after divorce. You should also ask them how they select their referral lawyers and, if appropriate to your situation, whether they have any sliding-scale fee programs or programs for low-income clients, as many state bar associations do offer such programs. Also be sure to ask about any law schools or other organizations in the area which may offer legal clinics or other practical or financial legal assistance for obtaining representation by a California lawyer.

Also, don't turn up your nose at referrals to California lawyers who seem like they may not specialize in family law. If they don't themselves practice family law, they can still be a great referral source to other California lawyers who do practice family law. In fact they are sometimes the best referral source, as they know how good someone is, and have no reason to try to keep you as a client themselves.

Please remember that whenever there are issues relating to custody, timeshare (visitation) and child support in California, it is always better to try to resolve them directly with your ex, between yourselves, or with a counsellor or mediator, than to go to court. But it is still critical to have a California lawyer who understands the rules, requirements, and pitfalls of the legal system in California. Your California lawyer will act as your guide to help you navigate the terrain and negotiate successfully to arrive at a successful outcome for you and your children, within the framework of the various laws and legal quirks of the state of California.