When your child’s future is on the line, you need someone who knows the ins and outs of the LA County Superior Court. At Moradi Neufer, we’ve helped countless LA parents navigate custody disputes, from Pasadena to Santa Monica, from downtown to the South Bay. We understand what’s at stake, and we’re here to guide you through every step.
With regard to your child’s future, you must retain a Los Angeles family law attorney who has mastered all of the nuances of the LA County Superior Court. Countless LA parents who live in different areas of the city, Santa Monica and Pasadena, downtown and South Bay, have relied on us to successfully navigate child custody disputes. We understand your concerns, and we are available throughout this process.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court system follows California Family Law in child custody proceedings. Local, Unique Knowledge of court rules/requirements by an attorney, and obviously, following procedures is critical to the success of your child custody court case, whether it is in the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (North Hill Street) or at Family Court Services (mediation).
There are two different kinds of custody under California law, and most parents in Los Angeles have experience with both:
Legal custody refers to the right to make the most important decisions regarding your child’s life; such as what school your child attends, what medical treatment he/she receives and how he/she is raised regarding religion. Joint Legal Custody means that both parents make these important decisions together.
Physical custody refers to the place where your child actually lives and who provides for your child’s everyday care. In Los Angeles, there are many types of physical custody arrangements; Some examples of ‘traditional custody arrangements’ are where the child primarily resides with one parent and thus is “primarily under the care of” only that parent; Other examples of ’50/50 custody arrangements’ are children who alternate weeks between the two parents’ homes. Joint Physical Custody always means that both parents have a significant amount of time with the child, even if it does not equal out to approximately the same number of hours each parent has with the child.
Here’s what matters: Los Angeles custody lawyers know that the Stanley Mosk Courthouse judges and commissioners care about stability, continuity, and your child’s routine. If your daughter’s been going to the same school in Silver Lake for three years, if your son has therapy appointments in West LA every Tuesday, these details matter to LA family courts.
When you file for custody in Los Angeles County, you will notice that the process is different from what it would be if you filed for custody in some other counties throughout California. The judicial system that operates within the LA Superior Court system contains numerous trial courts and numerous local rules, procedures, and expectations that vary from those in other counties in the state.
When working with custody attorneys in the Los Angeles area who frequently practice at the Family Courthouses, such as the Central District Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, the Burbank Courthouse located in the northern portion of the San Fernando Valley, or the Torrance Courthouse located in the Beach South Bay area, you will benefit from their knowledge and experience regarding the various judges, commissioners, and court personnel who operate within these locations.
The Best Child Custody Lawyers in Los Angeles are aware of which judges prefer to receive a detailed parenting plan, which judges will put an emphasis on maintaining a child’s stability in school, and how to have your custody case presented effectively to these judges.
Mediation through LA County Family Court Services is required before you can go to Family Court over custody or visitation disputes if a mediator has been able to assist you in reaching an agreement with the other parent. You will meet with a mediator through Family Court Services at 111 North Hill Street (or one of the other District locations) before ever appearing before a judge for custody or visitation concerning your child. The mediators you will meet with are trained counsellors who will work with you to assist you in reaching an agreement concerning your child.
The main question whenever a custody order/decision is made in L.A. County is always this- What is best for that child? There are multiple moving parts when determining this question, so California Family Code section 3011 lists the factors to be taken into consideration, and L.A. courts and judges are serious about following this standard.
Los Angeles child custody attorneys know judges here look at:
Things that are irrelevant in L.A. judges making a custody order/decision:
Gender (mother/father), sexual orientation, immigration status, or the fact that you are the mother or father of the child. California Family Code Section 3040(b) and (c) prohibit discrimination in custody decisions based on the above and other factors.
To file for custody in LA County, you’ll need Form FL-300 (Request for Order), FL-311 (Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment), FL-105/FL-150 (income/expense declarations), and proof of service documents. The filing fees for filing are between $435 and $450; however, there is also the possibility of waiving the filing fee for certain low-income parents.
When filing for child custody with the Los Angeles Superior Court, you’ll complete several Judicial Council forms available through the court’s online system or at Self-Help Centers. The primary forms include:
When you file for child custody in Los Angeles Superior Court, all forms must be completed correctly and filed in the appropriate location based on where you live. As of today, the filing fee to file for child custody will be between $435 and $450; however, filing fee waivers may be obtained by completing and submitting an FW-001 form.
Child custody lawyers in Los Angeles like Moradi Neufer can help ensure your forms are completed correctly the first time, avoiding delays that could keep you from your child.
In Los Angeles, the experience of going through the family court process generally looks like this:
1. Filing Your Case
You’ll file your custody petition at the appropriate LA Superior Court location based on where you live. If you’re in downtown LA, that’s the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. In the Valley, you might file in Van Nuys. The court clerk will provide you with a case number and initial paperwork.
2. Mandatory Mediation
Mediation through Family Court Services is mandatory before you can have a contested custody hearing. The mediation process is completed by a court-appointed mediator at no charge to you. Many parents in LA complete their mediation process, reach a consensus on custody time sharing and continue onto other matters without the need for the court to hold a hearing. If there is a domestic violence situation, you will be offered a separate mediation session.
3. Court Hearings
If mediation doesn’t resolve everything, your case proceeds to a hearing before a judge or commissioner. Your Los Angeles child custody lawyer will present evidence, call witnesses if needed, and argue why your proposed custody arrangement serves your child’s best interests. LA judges often ask detailed questions about practical matters, pickup and dropoff logistics, after-school care arrangements, and holiday schedules.
4. Custody Orders
The court issues orders specifying both legal and physical custody arrangements. These orders are legally enforceable and must be followed by both parents.
No two families are identical, and LA courts recognise that. Here are arrangements we frequently see:
1. Joint Physical and Joint Legal Custody
Both parents share decision-making authority and parenting time. This typically works well when both parents can communicate with each other very well and live within a reasonable distance. We’ve helped establish these arrangements for families across the county, from Malibu to Pasadena.
2. Primary Physical Custody with Joint Legal
One parent has the child most of the time, but both parents make major decisions together.This is often the case when one parent lives a great distance away from the other, for example, one parent may live in Long Beach and the other in Thousand Oaks. In these situations the child’s school and activity schedules are typically set up to support the parent and child having a great deal of time together.
3. Sole Physical and Legal Custody
When one parent has both decision-making and primary physical custody of the child. LA courts will generally award this allowing one parent sole physical custody where there is record of domestic violence, substance abuse by the other parent, or if the other parent has been absent from the child. In most cases, the court will award visitation rights to the other parent unless there is a concern for the safety of the minor child due to the actions of the non-custodial parent.
4. Supervised Visitation
When necessary for a child’s safety, LA courts order supervised visits where a third party must be present. Supervision might be through a professional service or a trusted family member approved by the court.
Life changes. Jobs change. Children’s needs change over time, and if you want to change an existing custody order in Los Angeles County, you have to file a Request for Order (RFO) at the same courthouse that issued the original custody order. Matters involving custody often overlap with financial responsibilities, and guidance from a child support attorney in LA can be helpful when custody changes affect existing support arrangements.
The most frequent reasons for changing a custody order include:
In California, a custody order will not be modified without substantial proof (a material change in circumstances). Having an experienced child custody attorney in Los Angeles is critical to successfully modifying a custody order because a good attorney will know how to properly document the changes, present evidence to Los Angeles County judges, and develop a case for modification that demonstrates how your child’s needs have changed, , as explained in detail in this guide on understanding California child custody laws.
Move-away cases are amongst the most complex custody disputes in all of Los Angeles. Perhaps your boss is transferring you to another state like San Francisco & you want to move back to your home state for family support or perhaps you just have a job offer in another state! When a custodial parent wishes to relocate with the child in a way that will change the existing custody order, they must seek permission from a court of law.
LA judges approach move-away requests carefully, balancing:
These cases require strategic legal advocacy. Los Angeles child custody attorneys at Moradi Neufer have successfully handled move-away cases throughout LA County, both for parents seeking to relocate and parents opposing relocation.
Every year, thousands of children in Los Angeles are born to unmarried parents. If the other parent has never been married, the first step is to obtain a legal determination of Parentage before the LA court can order any custody and or visitation with the child.
For mothers, parentage is typically automatic; giving birth establishes the legal parent-child relationship. For fathers, you’ll need either:
Once Parentage has been legally established, Unmarried mothers and fathers will have the same rights regarding custody and visitation as married parents.
LA family courts take domestic violence allegations seriously, and California law provides strong protections for children and abuse victims. Under California Family Code Section 3044, if the court finds a parent committed domestic violence within the past five years, there’s a presumption against granting that parent sole or joint custody.
Recent changes to California law (effective 2025) require LA judges to also consider illegal firearm possession when evaluating custody in domestic violence cases. If a parent has been prohibited from possessing firearms but continues to have access to guns, this weighs heavily against them in custody determinations.
If you’re dealing with domestic violence in your custody case, whether you’re the survivor seeking protection or you’re defending against allegations, you need a child custody attorney in Los Angeles who understands both family law and domestic violence statutes. These cases often involve restraining orders, supervised visitation, and complex safety planning.
California Family Code Section 3042 allows children to express their custody preferences to the court, but age matters. LA judges have discretion to consider any child’s wishes if the child is “of sufficient age and capacity” to form an intelligent preference. In practice, LA courts often set this threshold at around age 12.
Once your child turns 14, they have an explicit right to address the court about custody unless the judge finds it wouldn’t be in their best interest. But here’s the thing: just because your teenager wants to live primarily with you doesn’t mean the judge will order it. The child’s preference is one factor among many, and LA judges weigh it alongside everything else that affects the child’s best interest.
We help parents understand how their child’s voice fits into the broader custody picture. Sometimes having your child speak to the judge is powerful and persuasive. Other times, it can put unnecessary pressure on the child or backfire if their stated reasons don’t align with their actual best interests.
When custody disputes involve serious allegations, abuse claims, mental health concerns, or parenting capability questions, LA judges sometimes order a child custody evaluation. These comprehensive assessments are conducted by licensed mental health professionals who interview both parents, observe parent-child interactions, review relevant records, and make recommendations to the court.
In Los Angeles County, you might receive:
1. Court-Ordered Evaluations Through Family Court Services
For cases involving allegations of sexual abuse or very serious safety concerns, LA’s Family Court Services can conduct full evaluations at no cost to the parents.
2. Private Child Custody Evaluations
Parents can stipulate to hire a private evaluator from the LA Superior Court’s approved evaluator list. These are licensed psychologists or clinical social workers with specialised training in custody assessments. Private evaluations cost money (often split between parents) but may be completed more quickly than court evaluations.
The evaluator’s report carries significant weight with LA judges, though it’s not binding. Your custody lawyer in Los Angeles can help you prepare for the evaluation process, understand what evaluators look for, and challenge evaluation findings if necessary.
Not every custody case needs to end up in a contentious court battle. Many Los Angeles parents successfully resolve custody disputes through mediation or collaborative law approaches, saving time, money, and emotional energy.
When should you pursue these alternatives? When both parents genuinely want what’s best for the child, when you can communicate civilly, when you’d prefer a creative solution tailored to your family rather than a judge’s standard order. Los Angeles child custody attorneys who offer mediation services can help you explore these options before defaulting to litigation.
But sometimes litigation is necessary. If there’s domestic violence, if the other parent is actively harming your child, if they refuse to negotiate reasonably, then you need a custody lawyer in Los Angeles who’s prepared to fight for your child’s safety and well-being in court.
When you contact our Los Angeles office about a child custody matter, here’s what happens:
We start with a consultation where we learn about your situation. Who are the parents? How old is your child? What’s the current custody arrangement, if any? What are your goals? What concerns you most?
From there, we develop a strategy tailored to your case. Maybe that means filing for initial custody orders in the LA Superior Court. Maybe it means requesting a modification of existing orders. Maybe we can start with mediation before considering litigation.
Throughout your case, we keep you informed about what’s happening and why. We explain LA court procedures in plain English, not legal jargon. We return your calls and emails. We prepare you thoroughly for every hearing, mediation session, and court appearance.
We’ve represented parents throughout Los Angeles County, in downtown courthouses, in Valley locations, and in beach communities. We know the local judges, the court staff, and the procedures. We understand what works in LA family courts and what doesn’t.
Most importantly, we remember what this is really about: your child’s wellbeing and your relationship with them. That’s what drives every decision we make on your behalf.
Custody disputes are overwhelming. The LA County court system feels massive and impersonal. You’re worried about your child, stressed about the future and uncertain about your rights and options.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Child custody lawyers in Los Angeles are here to guide you through the process, advocate for your parental rights, and help you build a custody arrangement that truly serves your child’s best interests.
If you’re facing a custody issue in Los Angeles, whether it’s an initial custody determination, a modification request, a move-away dispute, or a high-conflict situation involving abuse allegations, contact Moradi Neufer today. We offer consultations where we can discuss your specific situation, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
Your child’s future is too important to leave to chance. Let us put our knowledge of LA County family courts to work for you.
Uncontested cases where parents agree can be resolved in a few months. Contested cases that go to trial in the LA Superior Court typically take 6 to 18 months, sometimes longer, depending on case complexity, custody evaluations, and the court’s heavy caseload.
While you can legally represent yourself, child custody law is complex with high stakes. An experienced Los Angeles child custody lawyer understands local court procedures, knows what evidence judges find persuasive, and helps you avoid costly mistakes that could affect your parental rights.
Custody orders are legally enforceable, and you have remedies, including filing for contempt of court, requesting makeup parenting time, or seeking order modifications. Document every violation carefully with dates and details, then consult your attorney about the best course of action.
Children can express preferences starting around age 12, with more weight given as they get older. At 14, they have the right to address the court under California Family Code Section 3042. However, the child’s preference is just one factor; LA judges make the final decision based on the child’s overall best interests.
No. California Family Code Section 3040 prohibits gender-based custody preferences. However, unmarried mothers automatically receive custody at birth until paternity is established. Once paternity is confirmed, both parents have equal rights, and LA courts decide based solely on the child’s best interests.
Unmarried parents have the same custody rights once legal parentage is established per California Family Code Section 7610. Fathers need either a signed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage or a court order establishing paternity before custody orders can be issued through the LA Superior Court.
Legal custody means the right to make major decisions about your child’s education, healthcare, and upbringing under California Family Code Section 3003. Physical custody refers to where your child lives and who provides day-to-day care. You can have different arrangements for each type.
If you have a custody order, moving in a way that impacts the other parent’s parenting time requires either written consent or court approval per California Family Code Section 7501. This applies to moves within LA County or out of state. Never relocate without proper authorisation; it can result in serious legal consequences.
The primary forms are FL-300 (Request for Order), FL-311 (Child Custody Attachment), FL-105 (UCCJEA Declaration), FL-150 (Income and Expense), and proof of service documents. Filing fees are $435-$450, though fee waivers are available. Los Angeles child custody lawyers can help ensure accurate completion.
FCS mediation is mandatory before contested custody hearings. You’ll meet with a neutral mediator at 111 N. Hill Street (or other LA locations) who helps you reach a custody agreement. LA’s FCS mediation is confidential and free; the mediator won’t report to the judge unless child abuse or threats are disclosed.
Los Angeles custody lawyers typically charge $300 to $600+ per hour, with costs varying by experience and case complexity. Some offer flat fees for uncontested cases or payment plans. While legal fees can be substantial, experienced representation often saves money by avoiding mistakes and reaching a faster resolution.
California Family Code Section 3044 presumes against granting custody to a parent who committed domestic violence within the past five years. You can request separate mediation sessions, obtain restraining orders with temporary custody provisions, and the LA courts will consider the batterer’s treatment completion and ongoing safety concerns.
Yes, under California Family Code Section 3104, grandparents can petition for visitation rights in LA County under specific circumstances, particularly if the parents are deceased, divorced, or separated. Grandparents can also seek custody if they can prove it’s in the child’s best interests and the parents are unfit.
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