Parental Rights Attorney in Torrance, California

Michael D. Shook, Attorney At Law, wants to help you do what is best for your child or children. Do not hesitate to turn to him if you are facing a custody, visitation, or child support dispute. Since 1994, Attorney Shook has represented parents and grandparents in Los Angeles County and fought to protect their rights. Whether you need an attorney to guide you through negotiations, take legal action to enforce your parental rights, or handle any other matter of family law, Torrance parental rights lawyer Michael D. Shook has the right skill and experience for the job. 

Send a message online or call (310) 361-2977 to set up a free case review.  

What Are Parental Rights?

California law details rights that parents have to provide and care for, visit, and make decisions for their children. These rights are not exclusive to biological parents. Non-biological parents, grandparents, and a child’s relatives can secure parental rights. 

Those who give birth to a child automatically receive parental rights. An individual married to the person giving birth also automatically obtains them. In other cases, unwed parents, stepparents, and relatives must take legal action to seek parental rights. 

Establishing Paternity in California

Paternity is a legal relationship between a father and child. Establishing paternity grants a person all parental rights and responsibilities. Generally, there are two options for establishing paternity: voluntary declaration of paternity (VDOP) and court action. A VDOP allows parents to acknowledge and establish paternity without taking the case before a judge. A court action, on the other hand, requires litigation to prove paternity. To learn more about these legal processes and paternity law, visit our paternity page.

Parental Rights for Stepparents, Family Members, and Non-Biological Parents

Those who are not a child’s biological parents can seek visitation rights or parental rights through adoption or by establishing guardianship. California courts endeavor to make custody decisions that are in the best interests of a child. 

These interests include:

• The child’s physical and emotional health.
• The ability of the child’s parents to provide adequate care. 
• The relationship between the child and the person seeking adoption, guardianship, or visitation rights.