Your Legal Team: The Professionals a Santa Ana Family Law Attorney Uses in Custody Ca 
7 hours ago
When you hire a family law attorney for a complex child custody case, you are not just hiring one person. You are hiring a "general contractor" who will build and manage an entire team of professionals to help you win your case. A judge's decision is based on evidence, and often, that evidence must come from a neutral, third-party expert. The best family law attorney in Santa Ana will have a deep roster of these professionals and will know exactly when to deploy them. At JOS FAMILY LAW, we understand that a complex case requires a comprehensive team.
The most common professional, and one you will meet in every OC case, is the Child Custody Recommending Counselor (CCRC). This is the court-appointed mediator you must meet with. As we have discussed, this is a confidential process in Orange County, and your lawyer's job is to prepare you to negotiate effectively with this neutral party to get a stipulated agreement.
If mediation fails and the conflict is high, your attorney may recommend a Child Custody Evaluator (a "730 Evaluation"). This is a licensed psychologist or mental health expert who is appointed by the court (or retained privately by both sides) to conduct a deep, comprehensive investigation into your family. This is a very serious and expensive step, usually reserved for cases with severe allegations like substance abuse, mental illness, or parental alienation. The evaluator will interview you, your children, your ex, and "collateral" witnesses like teachers and therapists. They will then write a detailed, highly influential report and recommendation to the judge.
In some cases, the court may appoint a Minor's Counsel. This is an attorney who is appointed to represent your child. Their job is not to represent you or your ex; it is to be the child's voice in the proceedings. They will meet with the child, investigate the situation, and advocate for what they believe is in the child's best interest. Your attorney must know how to work professionally with a minor's counsel, providing them with the evidence they need to see your side of the story.
For financial disputes related to support, your lawyer may bring in a Forensic Accountant. This is a "financial detective" who can analyze complex financial records. If your spouse is self-employed and you believe they are hiding income to lower their child support payment, a forensic accountant can analyze their bank records and business books to find the true, accurate income.
Finally, in cases with specific challenges, other experts may be needed. A Reunification Therapist may be ordered to help repair a damaged relationship between a parent and a child. A Parenting Coordinator (or "Special Master") may be appointed to act as a "tie-breaker" for co-parenting disputes after the divorce is final.
A good attorney knows they cannot do it all. An expert family law attorney knows who to call, when to call them, and how to use their testimony to build a winning case.
To learn more about the comprehensive, team-based approach to complex custody cases, contact the professionals at JOS FAMILY LAW.
The most common professional, and one you will meet in every OC case, is the Child Custody Recommending Counselor (CCRC). This is the court-appointed mediator you must meet with. As we have discussed, this is a confidential process in Orange County, and your lawyer's job is to prepare you to negotiate effectively with this neutral party to get a stipulated agreement.
If mediation fails and the conflict is high, your attorney may recommend a Child Custody Evaluator (a "730 Evaluation"). This is a licensed psychologist or mental health expert who is appointed by the court (or retained privately by both sides) to conduct a deep, comprehensive investigation into your family. This is a very serious and expensive step, usually reserved for cases with severe allegations like substance abuse, mental illness, or parental alienation. The evaluator will interview you, your children, your ex, and "collateral" witnesses like teachers and therapists. They will then write a detailed, highly influential report and recommendation to the judge.
In some cases, the court may appoint a Minor's Counsel. This is an attorney who is appointed to represent your child. Their job is not to represent you or your ex; it is to be the child's voice in the proceedings. They will meet with the child, investigate the situation, and advocate for what they believe is in the child's best interest. Your attorney must know how to work professionally with a minor's counsel, providing them with the evidence they need to see your side of the story.
For financial disputes related to support, your lawyer may bring in a Forensic Accountant. This is a "financial detective" who can analyze complex financial records. If your spouse is self-employed and you believe they are hiding income to lower their child support payment, a forensic accountant can analyze their bank records and business books to find the true, accurate income.
Finally, in cases with specific challenges, other experts may be needed. A Reunification Therapist may be ordered to help repair a damaged relationship between a parent and a child. A Parenting Coordinator (or "Special Master") may be appointed to act as a "tie-breaker" for co-parenting disputes after the divorce is final.
A good attorney knows they cannot do it all. An expert family law attorney knows who to call, when to call them, and how to use their testimony to build a winning case.
To learn more about the comprehensive, team-based approach to complex custody cases, contact the professionals at JOS FAMILY LAW.