CASTRO LAW OFFICES, P.C. SONOMA COUNTY, CA

Adoption

In Sonoma County and elsewhere in California, different types of adoption may be pursued through the California legal system. For example, a stepparent may want to adopt a stepchild. There is also the option to file for an “independent” adoption and an “adult adoption.” Each adoption avenue is explored below.

Step Parent Adoption

When you marry a spouse with a child, it is perfectly understandable to want them to grow to trust you and develop a parent-like relationship. This is why it is quite common for stepparents to actively seek to establish a lifelong relationship with their new stepchild via adoption.

If you are a step-parent looking to formally adopt your stepchild, it is important to understand the steps necessary to achieve this goal. For example, adopting a child as a stepparent necessitates securing the consent of both birth parents. Even if you are married to one of the birth parents, you will still need to get the other birth parent’s consent, which can present a challenge.

If you encounter unreasonable difficulty in communicating with or locating the child’s other birth parent, it may be possible to terminate their parental rights without their consent. However, this is only possible if the birth parent is considered unfit for parenting. The Sonoma County legal team with Castro Law Offices can help you complete the required paperwork to prepare for the step-parent adoption process. We can also help you navigate the process by filing the initial petition in family law court and assist you during each step to ensure you reach the goal of adopting your stepchild.

Independent Adoption

In California, an independent adoption is one where an agency is not actively involved in the process. Rather, the birth parent, or parents, in collaboration with the adoptive parents, decide to engage in a private arrangement to complete the adoption. In most instances, the birth parents will engage directly with the prospective adoptive parents to make the necessary arrangements for placement. In some instances, the parties may be friends or relatives. Jeremy Castro and his team of Sonoma County legal professionals are here to help adoptive parents who desire to formalize their placement and complete an independent adoption.

Adult Adoption

There are specific statutory provisions pursuant to California law allowing for an “adult adoption.” This term means what it says – a legal adult is formally adopted by another adult. Under California law, a legal adult is considered to be someone age 18 and older.

For an adult adoption to occur in Sonoma County or elsewhere in California, there are specific spousal consent requirements that each party must complete. For example, if the adoptive parent is married, they will need to substantiate their spouse’s consent to the adoption.

Our team of Sonoma County adult adoption attorneys stands ready to help guide you through the complex legal process of finalizing an adult adoption. We are committed to assisting you and your loved ones and developing a clear strategy for achieving the goal of completing an adult adoption.

Child Custody

Child custody is often one of the most contentious and emotionally-straining aspects of a divorce. It is important to be prepared and have a skilled attorney on your side to help explain your options and, hopefully, arrive at an amicable resolution to ensure you retain access to your children. For context, there are basically two primary types of custody under California law: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to who the child actually resides with, while legal custody refers to who has the right and is responsible for making decisions regarding the child’s health, education, welfare, and other issues. There are numerous factors taken into consideration when deciding custody. The touchstone factor for child custody in California is the best interests of the child. Sole or joint custody may be awarded by a Sonoma County court or agreed upon, with several possible combinations that may include visitation arrangements for a non-custodial parent.

Divorce

The decision to separate and ultimately divorce your spouse can be traumatic and stressful. This is why it makes sense to have experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel by your side to help guide you through the inherent complexities of the California divorce system. For example, getting a divorce is not something that takes place overnight. It is a process that typically entails waiting at least six months to complete since Sonoma County courts generally require a six-month “cooling off” period (in case the spouses change their mind and reconcile). The proverbial clock begins to tick when the petition for dissolution is filed and served on the other party. At that point, our team of dedicated and skilled Sonoma County divorce attorneys will help walk you through the process and create actionable steps customized to meet your unique needs.

Domestic Violence

Securing a restraining order due to domestic violence is not a straightforward matter in California. If you are being subjected to abusive behavior, fear for your health and wellbeing (or your child’s health and wellbeing), or are being controlled by a spouse or someone you are close to, now is the time to take legal action. The skilled and respected Sonoma County lawyers with Castro Law Offices stand ready to zealously represent you and take the necessary steps to secure a restraining order so you and your loved ones are safe.

Paternity

In California, paternity laws are inherently complicated and often involve genetic testing, court orders, and the completion of many court documents. This is why you should consider retaining the services of an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney in Sonoma County. One of the experienced paternity lawyers can help you by providing a detailed assessment of your legal options and can recommend a course of action tailored to your unique circumstances.

Spousal Support

Whether you are going to file for divorce or are in the process of getting divorced, spousal support will need to be addressed. Pursuant to California law, a judge in Sonoma County is empowered to grant spousal support and typically calculates the support amount based on various factors, including:

• Length of the marriage;
• Your income and your spouse’s income;
• Your educational and professional background, along with your spouse’s educational and professional background; and/or
• Your health and your spouse’s health

Have Questions? Contact a Family Law Sonoma County Attorney Today

If you are in need of a family law Sonoma County attorney to assist with a legal matter related to adoption, child custody, divorce, paternity, domestic violence, etc., then contact Castro Law Offices. Jeremy Castro and his legal team stand ready to help. Castro Law Offices, P.C. has offices in Novato and Vallejo are capable of helping clients throughout California, including Sonoma County. Contact us today to schedule a confidential case evaluation.

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