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Report Child Abuse & Neglect

In order to help an abused or neglected child you must first recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect.

A single bruise is not always a sign that the child has been abused. Take a look at the following possible signs and see if you recognize any of them on a child you know:

  • Lacks adult supervision
  • Changes in behavior at home and school
  • Medical conditions go untreated
  • Hard time concentrating
  • Always looking around and over his or her shoulder
  • Gets to school early, stays late and does not want to go home

If you suspect your child or a child you know is being abused or neglected, report it to authorities immediately.

Any child who is being abused or neglected needs to be removed from home, and given the chance to live in a loving non abusive alternative. The parents of the child will lose their parental right, guardianship is then awarded to a family member, or the child is taken to CPS and placed with a foster family.

Having a Family Law attorney can help get everything organized, there can be one assigned to the child directly, at times this attorney s given guardianship of the child, serving two roles, ultimately the goal is to ensure the child has a safe home preferably with another family member, going to school, therapy is recommended also.

If any child is ever abused or neglected make sure that they are represented by a Family Law firm that understands the sensitivity, and traumatic this can be for any child. At Holstrom, Block & Parke, our attorneys have the experience, and the resources needed to ensure every child suffering abuse or neglect is safe again. Holstrom, Block & Parke Family Law Attorneys protect the rights of all children.

Contact Riverside’s top child attorneys, providing legal service for all children and providing loyal, confidential, and competent aggressive representation. Call us for a free no obligation consultation.

When Your Child Has An "Absent Father"

How do you handle the situation when your child asks where his or her daddy is? What do you say when your child’s father does not want to be part of the family? How can you answer your child’s questions?

Tell your child the truth but no more than they need to know at the time. You could say that he was so young and not ready to be a father. Maybe he lived too far to get involved. Or, he could have needed time to deal with issues on his own. These reasons do not justify his choices; they simply tell your child that his decision had nothing to do with the child.

Try to always remain positive. Sometimes, it’s hard, but a positive and upbeat attitude will get you through a lot. Tell your child over and over again that you love him or her and always will – no matter what they do or what life brings to them. Be patient.

Finally, it is important to share any good memories you have with your child about his or her father. Try not to bad-mouth him – don’t try to turn your child against his or her father. You never know – he could resolve his issues and show up down the road.

You cannot change the fact that your child’s father is not in the picture, but you can always assure your child of the love you have for him or her and that you are not going anywhere – you will always be there for your child.

There are resources, if you have questions about parental rights and custody matter when dealing with an absent father, or maybe you want to get child support, the law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke Family Law & divorce attorneys can help answer all your questions. We understand the challenges that come with being a single parent, speak to one of our attorneys and get guidance you need, we will be there every step of the way.

Does Your Divorce Attorney Have Family Law Experience?

Three Things To Keep In Mind:

Did you know that there are, on average, four divorces filed every minute in the U.S.? It’s no surprise that many people end up needing a divorce lawyer in these cases. Divorce can be adifficult emotional and financial period to begin with, and disagreements regarding money, property or children can only add to the legal confusion. If you are currently going through a divorce, there are three things you should keep in mind.

  • What do Family Lawyers Do?

When you’re getting a divorce, many people will probably recommend hiring a family lawyer. This is because family attorneys deal with many aspects of law that come up during divorce cases, including alimony, child custody, and child support. According to Rutgers University, 60% of divorces involve children. Hiring a family lawyer can be a good idea because their entire caseload will be situations like yours; they will be experts in the field. What you don’t want is a lawyer who has little experience handling the complexities of family law.

  • The Cost of a Divorce Lawyer

If you’re Madonna divorcing Guy Ritchie, your divorce will cost you $75 million. For the average person, though, the cost of a divorce will usually add up to several thousand dollars, which comes from attorney fees, mediation, and court costs, not to mention any divisions of assets or child support fees that might occur. Typical hourly rates for attorneys will run anywhere from $100 to $1,000, so it’s in your best interest to get things settled more quickly than not.

  • Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer

When you’re in the processing of choosing an attorney, it’s important to ask questions about how the divorce process will go. Talk to them about your expectations for the case- not only about what you’ll get out of it, but what you’ll probably have to give up, and how long you should expect it to last. Ask what percentage of their practice deals with family law- move on if their legal focus is largely elsewhere. Make sure you understand how they will bill for time- if you make a call or send an email, how does that work into your bill?

If you are ready to file for divorce, start your search for an attorneywith the law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke experienced in family law and divorce law. We provide a personal service to all our clients, we know its a very emotional process and we have the tool necessary to ensure you get through the process with the best possible outcome protecting your rights and your life after divorce. Call us today at one of our many law offices in southern california or visit us online, you can fill out our contact form.

Adoption vs. Guardianship

There are major differences in the rights and responsibilities between being a guardian and fully adopting a child.

While one gives an individual the responsibility to act as a temporary parent of a child, the otherpermanently relinquishes the rights and responsibilities of a child’s biological parents.

It is important to understand these differences if you are considering either one of these legal processes because the smallest mistake can completely change a child’s life.

In a Guardianship:

  • The biological parent is still afforded parental rights and are allowed contact with the child
  • If the parent becomes capable of caring for the child again, a guardianship can be terminated
  • The court can require supervision of guardians

A legal guardian assumes all responsibilities that a parent would have, including providing financial and emotional support for the child and consent to medical treatment if necessary – in addition to all the basic necessities required to survive on a day-to-day basis.

In an Adoption:

  • The biological parent’s rights permanently end
  • The relationship between the adoptive parent(s) and child is permanent
  • The law regards the adoptive child as it would a biological child of the family
  • The adoptive child is eligible to inherit from the adoptive parent(s)
  • There is no court supervision over adoptive families

With the adoption process, both legal custody and legal responsibilities are transferred from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. The biological parents of the child lose all of their rights and responsibilities.

The most important difference between guardianship and adoption is that guardianship can be temporary and is often reevaluated periodically to ensure the child’s best interests are being taken care of, while adoption is a permanent legal transference of custody.

If you have questions regarding either one of these processes, contact the family law offices ofHolstrom, Block & Parke. We are experienced and knowledgeable in child custody cases and can guide you through the adoption or guardianship process while ensuring that your legal rights are protected. We are committed to fighting for you.

Call us today at one of our offices located in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Orange County or, contact us online.

Adopting A Baby

What You Should Know About Adopting A Baby:

Adopting a child is a wonderful, life-changing experience.

Some couples want to help a homeless child find a nurturing home while others have the need to raise a child.

Did you know that there are approximately 650,000 children in out-of-home placement in the United States? About 20 percent are available for adoption – some with special needs. Unfortunately, many adopting parents are unaware of the existing or potential problems an adopted child brings with him or her to their new home.

Being unprepared to raise a special needs or high-risk child unnecessarily drains resources and adds a lot of stress on the family. While most adoptions go well, some do not.

Many children up for adoption have been traumatized by their birth families or foster care families. Too often adoptive parents are told, “All this child needs is love and everything will be fine.” This is not always true.

Every parent, biological or adopted, should know as much as possible about the attachment process – the life-long impact it has on children. It is one of the fundamental processes necessary for survival and care-giving. It’s a process that enhances the safety and security of an infant in getting his or her needs met.

To improve your chances for a successful adoption, you need to be as fully informed and prepared as possible. Read all you can on the subject and ask every question you have. This is a major decision not only for you but also the child you bring home.

Being a parent is one of the most enriching experiences in life. And, though the job is often all-consuming and demanding, it certainly can expand your capacity for love and fun in ways you never imaged.

If adoption is something you are thinking about, contact the family law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke. While many other areas of family law see the attorney helping in the breakup of a family, adoption allows an attorney to create or expand families.

Our attorneys understand that children and family are what matters most in people’s lives. Contact us today – let us help you expand your family.

I Miss Seeing My Children

You’re going through a divorce and your life is a total mess now – filled with a lot of stress and emotions. However, the one great thing that came out of your marriage is your children – now, for all practical reasons, they too are gone.

When you go through a divorce, you not only have to deal with the emotional trauma of splitting with your spouse, but you have to cope with losing the day-to-day relationship you have with your children.

Sometimes couples stay together because the dad can’t stand the idea of becoming separated from his children. Do I have to tell you how unhealthy it is to stay in a relationship where you and your spouse are destroying one another?

When you’re a parent going through a divorce, your number one priority often lies with how your children’s lives will be changed.

After a divorce, children are typically sent back and forth between their mother’s and father’s homes. The actual time varies, depending on the type of custody that was awarded in a court order.

In case you aren’t aware, you have a legal right to have a meaningful relationship with your children – even if you are no longer with their mother.

Are you a dad who is having trouble seeing your children since your divorce? Is your ex-spouse using your children as a means to punish you for leaving? Has your ex become so hostile that she’s only allowing you to see your children every other weekend – sometimes less?

Your ex might think she is justified to do this because you left, but she isn’t. You’re still paying child support – never stopped paying child support – but you want to see your children as often as possible.

What about if your ex decides to move away? About 20 percent of custodial mothers find an excuse to do just that – leaving the father to see his children only a few times a year. You end up being the father who had daily close contact with your children to a father who is out of the loop with your children.

It’s in the children’s best interests to have both parents present during their lives, but sometimes personal disagreements can get in the way of this. We have seen many parents use their children as pawns simply to get back at the other parent. This is unfortunate because not having a relationship with a parent can affect the child’s life.

Do you find yourself in this situation? If so, contact the Family Law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke.Our firm can help preserve your rights and make sure your children do not miss out on having a relationship with their father.

We are conveniently located in Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. Call our offices for a free consultation to discuss your case with us.

Children After A Divorce

The care, stability and protection of your children are critical issues involved in every divorce case.

When two people are married and have children, they both share the custody and responsibility of raising these children. However, if the same two people divorce, the custody of their children is divided. The time shared can be split 50/50, 60/40, or another way. The parties can agree to a time-share or can allow the court to determine one, based on the best interests of the children.

When the court makes the determination, it looks at numerous factors, including who took care of the children most of the time, who took them to school and helped them with school work, who took them to the doctor and dentist, and who cooked for them.

The care of the children after a divorce is the most ongoing source of conflict for parents. Courts, most of the time, will honor a custody agreement reached by the parents. However, if they cannot come to an agreement, the court will request the parents to participate in a mandatory mediation session. If they still cannot agree on custody, the court will do so for them.

There are several types of custody arrangements:

  • Physical custody – gives the parent or both parents the rights and responsibilities for the daily activities of their children. The children live with the parent or parents who is awarded physical custody.
  • Legal custody – gives the parent or both parents the rights and responsibilities to make major decisions regarding their children’s upbringing – including medical care, education, religion, and day-to-day activities.
  • Joint custody – Under California Family Code Sections 3080 through 3089, both parents can be awarded joint legal custody and joint physical custody. Joint custody allows both parents to share the responsibility for making major decisions. They must be able to work together.
  • Visitation – The most common schedule allows the non-custodial parent to see his or her children one night during the week, every other weekend, and part of the summer vacation.
  • Holidays and special dates usually alternate between the parents.

California courts most of the time favor joint legal and joint physical custody. It is best for both parents to be completely involved in the upbringing of their children; it is best for the children as well.

Custody is addressed throughout the divorce process in the following ways:

  • Temporary hearing – The court issues an order regarding the legal aspects of the relationship between the two parties. It will issue a temporary custody solution if one hasn’t been agreed on.
  • Mediation – is required if there are conflicts regarding the arrangement. The mediator meets with the parents and children several times and helps resolve the issues the family is facing. The mediator then sends a report to the court with custody recommendations
  • Evaluation – by a court-appointed psychologist is ordered if an agreement cannot be reached prior to trial. The evaluation includes discussions with the parents, children and teachers. It must be completed before the court enters a final custody determination.
  • Trial – Final custody arrangements are determined at the trial – based on the best interests of the children.

If a parent wants to change the court-ordered custody and visitation agreement, he or she must show a significant change in circumstances has occurred before requesting a custody modification.

When faced with uncertainties, an experienced family lawyer will give you the personal attention you need at a stressful time such as this. Call the Family Law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke, located in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties.

As experienced family attorneys, we always remind parents to focus on being the best parent possible. We will make a commitment to you and help you take positive steps towards the future.

Long Distance Parenting

It’s never easy to be away from your children – whether for a few hours, a few days or most of the time.

When parents are together, moving their family isn’t usually a problem. The problem, however, occurs when parents are divorced and one parent is made to be a long-distant parent.

Long-distance parenting is one of the most difficult challenges facing parents who go through divorce. With the divorce rate being so high, it’s an experience that thousands of divorced families go through every day.

If you are a parent contemplating

relocation to another city or state, you must understand that there are consequences for your children. After all, children rely on their parents to make good decisions for them and children also require a daily dose of love, attention and affection.

Keep in mind that not only will you become a long-distant parent, but your children will become long-distant children – your relationship will very likely change. Children lose out on having both parents attending their school or extra-circular events, helping them with their homework, being in their cheering section when need be. Children lose the balance that having two parents provides.

How do I make this work, you ask? If you have considered all of your alternatives and you have no choice but to move, then you and your ex-spouse must work really hard to ensure that the relationship between you and your children continues.

Bear in mind – this is not going to be easy. It requires integrity, compassion, focus and a commitment to the parent-child relationship. You must give it your all. Regardless of how far you are from your children, if you focus completely on them and what they need in order to thrive, it will become easier to take the actions that will meet their needs.

An important key to maintain a strong, healthy relationship with your children is communication with not only them, but your ex. When you lived under one roof, you knew if they were sick, what they did in school, who their friends are, or if they wanted to pierce one of their body parts.

Don’t let communication about daily life change. As the long-distant parent, you must work to maintain your relationship with your children. Unless you keep communications open on a regular basis, you’ll miss a lot about what’s going on in your children’s lives.

Keep your conversations going – use e-mail, text or webcams, in addition to the telephone. If possible, visit, even if it’s for a few hours or overnight.

Even if you reside in a different state from your children, an attorney can protect your legal rights as a parent.

Are you seeking permission to relocate, want to prevent a relocation, or simply need a child custody plan to accommodate for long-distance visitation, the family law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke have experience assisting parents, such as yourself, in developing parenting plans that protect your parental rights.

One of the primary functions of the family court system is to protect the best interests of children in divorce and post-divorce matters. Different considerations apply to visitation schedules when the parents live next door, across town, in another county, in another state, or even in another country. Our attorneys have experience in all of these types of cases and are here to help you.

If you have any questions or concerns about visitation or any other divorce-related issues, do not hesitate to contact our attorneys today. We are conveniently located in San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange Counties.

Having Children Out Of Wedlock

I have been asked what rights each parent has if the child is born out of wedlock.

Once upon a time it was unheard of to have children when a couple was not married. It was frowned upon; it was considered to be a “sin.” It was not that long ago when babies followed marriage and couples would marry upon discovery that the woman was pregnant.

Today is different. Society has changed. Today we have the largest number of unwed parents in our history, including many celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Although society has accepted this trend, the law has not. It may not affect multi-millionaire unwed celebrity parents, but it does have an adverse effect on the average unwed parent.

It used to be when a girl got pregnant, the dad would call for a “shotgun” wedding – insist that the boy marry his daughter or else. Today, very few know what that expression means, let alone attend one.

Things have changed in society – many individuals are putting off marriage until a later date or not considering it at all. Living together without a marriage license seems to be ‘in’ these days. There are still couples committed to each other, but not in marriage.

Having a child out of wedlock can present legal ramifications, the most important being financial obligations and custody issues.

Having a child presents financial issues, such as child support, childcare, medical insurance. This does not only apply to the mother, but also to the father, especially when the couple brings a child into this world but they are not married – maybe they’re living together, maybe they’re not.

In the case of a couple that isn’t totally committed to each other, the father might be unwilling to pay child support; maybe he’s not sure the child is his. The paternity must first be established.

When a relationship doesn’t work out, the couple must go to court to establish custody, both legal and physical. This may cause all sorts of disputes, such as the lifestyle of one or both parents, the ability of each parent to care for the child. California courts apply the same criteria for custody disputes between unmarried parents as they do with married, but divorcing parents. The best interests of the child are the number one priority of the court.

Parentage cases can lead to expensive battles between the parents. If you are choosing to have a child out of wedlock to avoid financial or legal battles – think again.

If you have questions about raising a child out of wedlock, contact the Family Law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke because out attorneys are dedicated to protecting your parental rights while helping you make decisions that are in the best interests of your child.

Call today for a free phone consultation: we have offices in Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties.

Spousal Support & Cohabiting

Spousal support is often the largest financial obligation you will incur as part of your divorce.

Cohabitation refers to a couple living together in a romantic relationship without the benefits of marriage. In the aftermath of a divorce, if you move in with your boyfriend or girlfriend, it can give your ex the opportunity to stop paying spousal support.

Couples are encouraged to sign a cohabitation agreement detailing their obligations and rights to each other, and defining their liability and property rights. Since oral agreements may be difficult to prove, it is advised that couples consult an experienced Family Law attorney before entering into any agreement.

How about the person paying spousal support to his or her former spouse and now that spouse is living with another person?

According to the California Family Code 4337:

  • Except as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, the obligation of a party under an order for the support of the other party terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the other party.

4338. In the enforcement of an order for spousal support, the court shall resort to the property described below in the order indicated:

  • The earnings, income, or accumulations of either spouse, while living separate and apart from the other spouse, which would have been community property if the spouse had not been living separate and apart from the other spouse.
  • The community property.
  • The quasi-community property.
  • The other separate property of the party required to make the support payments.

If you are the person trying to cut off the spousal support award, you bear the burden of proof to the court that your former spouse is living with another person, and not just spending the night. You may wish to apply for a modification of the amount. You can plead to the court to terminate the support or at least lower it.

The laws surrounding divorce and spousal support can be complicated. For more detailed, specific information, please contact an experienced family law attorney in the law offices of Holstrom, Block & Parke to discuss your options.

We are Riverside’s Top Rated Family & Divorce Attorneys: Experienced, Aggressive, and Determined to Protect Your Rights

We are conveniently located in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

About Dayn Holstrom

Dayn Holstrom is a hard working, compassionate problem solver who welcomes the opportunity to serve you in any way he can. His maximum availability to your questions and concerns begins with your free initial consultation. He is well-seasoned in all matters related to family law and a skilled negotiator and litigator.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.