Child Custody Lawyer in Sacramento, CA Get the Best Results for Your Kids
Successful Negotiation
Dedicated
LitigationPersonalized Representation
Does Your Parenting Plan Need a Change?
Whether you want to file for divorce, have been served papers, or are co-parenting in a situation that needs modification for any reason, make Gregory Thyberg, Jr. your first call. Our attorney focuses exclusively on family law and is ready to help you start taking immediate steps to create the most nurturing situation for your children.
How We Can Help Your Family
When a marriage or partnership involving children comes to an end, their wellbeing is the ultimate priority. As a family attorney, Gregory Thyberg, Jr. understands the importance of child custody and takes a personalized approach to each case:
Diplomacy
- Emotions can run high in child custody proceedings. It can be all too easy to say or do things that could negatively affect the way the courts perceive you, which could affect the outcome of your case. Mr. Thyberg will help you steer a course that displays a willingness to compromise when it's the right thing to do, but allows you to take a stand when it best serves your children's interests.
Efficiency
- There is no time to lose when it comes to establishing the very best parenting plan for your children. Depend on Mr. Thyberg to provide representation focused on achieving the right outcome as soon as possible while keeping your legal fees reasonable.
Dedication
- Gregory Thyberg, Jr. understands how to make your position understood by judges and opposing parties. His only success is your success, so you can rely on him to take every measure to advocate for a custody agreement that allows your children to grow and prosper.
"I want to protect kids and let them live the most normal life they can. They don’t need the stress of being thrust into a custody battle. I try to resolve things in an amicable manner."
Attorney Gregory Thyberg, Jr.
Your Actions Matter Taking the High Road in a Child Custody Case
Don't Slander Your Co-Parent in Front of Your Kids
You must not alienate your kids against their other parent, and don’t include them in any discussion of the case. In fact, you do not want them involved in the case at all unless a mediator or judge wants to talk to them. Because slandering a co-parent in front of the kids does nothing to help a case, Mr. Thyberg won't tolerate it. Most importantly, the courts don’t like it, and it could affect your case in ways you do not want. Ask yourself: Do I hate my ex more than I love my kids?
Follow the Bright Star Rule
Mr. Thyberg encourages clients to follow what he calls the Bright Star Rule. In essence, it just means being reasonable at every juncture. Be flexible and show grace—if your coparent is 5 minutes late a few times a year to pick up the children, it doesn't necessarily constitute the change that being habitually hours late would. Roll with the little things—again, if little discrepancies are annoying you, but the other parent is generally complying with the plan and being a good parent to the kids, it may not warrant action.
Request Your Consultation Now
If you are facing a child custody case or believe you need to initiate one, there is too much at stake to avoid consulting an attorney. This is not just one small part of attorney Gregory Thyberg, Jr.'s practice; family law is his sole focus. Mr. Thyberg is prepared to use his skills as a litigator, communicator, and advisor to help you make empowered decisions that ultimately help your children live happier, healthier lives.
Once you have met Mr. Thyberg and decided to hire him to help you though this process, he can get to work right away in crafting a personalized approach to your case and providing empathetic support. Don't wait any longer to secure an advocate who possesses the legal knowledge and empathy your case needs. Request your consultation today:
Our attorney focuses exclusively on family law and is ready to help you start taking immediate steps to create the most nurturing situation for your children.
Joint Custody
Joint custody is the most common type in California. While physical custody refers to one or both parents having the right to parenting time with the child, joint custody refers to both parents sharing the rights and responsibilities for making important decisions about the children.
What are considered important decisions?
- School
- Childcare
- Religious activities
- Mental health counseling
- Non-emergency medical care
- Sports
- Vacations
- Travel
Examples of decisions that don't require consulting the other parent include bedtimes, clothing and hair choices, or being able to stay over at a friend's house.
What happens if violations occur?
Whether your co-parent is making big decisions without asking, or you have made decisions without consulting your co-parent, it could be considered contempt of court. This could result in changes to the custody agreement, fines, or even jail time. Whether you feel strongly about making a decision you think your co-parent will disagree with, or your co-parent has made a decision without consulting you, the best course of action is to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. Mr. Thyberg can help you address the situation through mediation or litigation to achieve a resolution that benefits your children.
Holidays, Vacations, and Travel Determining Custody Outside Their Normal Routine
Figuring out a parenting plan for typical day-to-day life can be difficult, which can distract from the need to set a schedule for extracurricular activities like clubs and sports, holiday visitation, and a procedure for vacationing. Gregory Thyberg, Jr. will make sure you don't lose sight of the need to set these standards in your parenting plan.
Types of Parenting Time
if one or both parents are awarded parenting time (time spent in-person with the child), it will be classified as one of four types:
- Scheduled: Parents will follow a set schedule that will take weekdays and weekends into account, as well as holidays and vacations.
- Reasonable: This allows parents to maintain a fluid agreement, and can work if things are amicable between them. However, this arrangement can become complex and contentious if disagreements arise.
- Supervised: Parenting time can be supervised by the other parent, another designated adult, or a professional agency. It is sometimes used when there are concerns about the child's safety (for example, if the other parent is believed to have a substance abuse issue) or when a child and a parent need time to get to know each other.
- None: If it would be physically or emotionally harmful for a child to visit with a parent, the courts may order one parent to receive no parenting time.
How Courts Make Decisions In Child Custody Cases
The courts make all decisions in child custody cases based on what they believe will serve the child's best interests. They will consider:
- The child's age
- Their health
- The bond between the parent and child
- Each parent's capacity to care for the child
- The child's ties to their home and school
- Incidents of family violence
- Substance abuse by the parents
Mr. Thyberg can help you approach child custody through mediation or litigation to achieve a resolution that benefits your children.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody in California
During a consultation, Mr. Thyberg will patiently answer all of your questions so that you can make the right decisions in your case. To help you prepare for this conversation, he has provided answers to common questions about child custody in California:
How do I file for child custody in California?
It all starts with paperwork filed through the state. Every child custody case type requires a different form. Call Gregory Thyberg, Jr. and he can help you determine which form you need, make sure it is completed properly, and file it with the courts.
How do I get full custody of my child?
It requires convincing the courts that it serves your child's best interest to give you full custody (meaning you have legal and primary physical custody while the other parent gets parenting time). If you believe this is the best situation for your child, Mr. Thyberg can help make your position understood by a judge.
How long does a child custody case take in California?
It can take from several months to a year, depending on factors such as complexity and your relationship with your child's other parent. Mr. Thyberg believes in working efficiently to realize the best custody arrangement for your child. He can help you make decisions that lead to a timely and beneficial outcome.
Who pays the attorney's fees?
In California, it is generally expected that each parent will pay their own attorney's fees. However, a judge may order one parent to cover the other parent's fees in very specific instances. These could include situations in which one parent has violated a custody agreement, or one parent has significantly less income than the other.
How do I win a child custody case?
In order to win a child custody case—meaning you reach an outcome that is as beneficial as possible to your children—you must convince the courts to adopt certain requirements. The surest way to achieve this is by hiring an attorney who knows how to communicate to judges that your position is reasonable and ultimately the best solution for your kids. Mr. Thyberg can help you present your wishes to the court in a way that makes their benefit to your children clear.
Mr. Thyberg can help you make decisions that lead to a timely and beneficial outcome.
