Description- Welcome to JOS Family Law, your dedicated legal partner in Orange County, CA. Navigating the complexities of family law requires a team that is not only experienced but also deeply compassionate. At our Fullerton-based firm, we specialize in a comprehensive range of family law matters, including contested and uncontested divorce, child custody disputes, child support negotiations, and spousal support arrangements. We understand that issues like property division and domestic violence are incredibly sensitive and stressful. Our primary goal is to provide you with aggressive and effective representation while maintaining a supportive environment. We believe in personalized legal strategies, tailoring our approach to fit the unique circumstances of your case. Whether you are considering a prenuptial agreement to protect your assets or need skilled mediation services to resolve conflicts amicably, our attorneys are here to guide you. We proudly serve clients throughout Orange County, offering the expertise needed to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family. Contact JOS Family Law today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you during this challenging time.
When you are a parent, filing for divorce in Irvine means entering a legal process that has two distinct, parallel tracks: the financial case and the custody case. While you may be searching for the best divorce attorney in Irvine to handle “the divorce,” what you truly need is an expert who has mastered the local Orange County process for child custody. The financial side is math; the custody side is a complex local procedure that can be confusing without a guide. A firm like JOS FAMILY LAW, which practices extensively in the OC courts, can lead you through this specific system.
Your case will be handled at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. The first thing you must understand is that a judge will not simply “pick a winner” in a trial. The local system is designed to push parents toward settling their custody dispute themselves. The very first step after filing a “Request for Order” (RFO) about custody is that the court will order you to attend mandatory mediation. This is called Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC).
It is absolutely critical to know that Orange County is a confidential mediation county. This is a major difference from neighboring counties like Los Angeles or Riverside, where the mediator makes a binding recommendation to the judge if you do not agree. In Orange County, the CCRC mediator’s job is to help you agree. If you do not, they simply report back to the court that “no agreement was reached.” This confidentiality creates a “safe” space to negotiate, but you must be prepared.
A skilled custody lawyer will not just send you to this meeting blind. They will spend hours preparing you. They will help you draft a detailed, proposed parenting plan to bring with you. This plan should cover the weekly schedule, all holidays, vacation time, and decision-making on health and education. Your lawyer will coach you on how to present your case in a child-focused, non-combative way. This preparation is often the key to getting a favorable outcome without a long, expensive fight.
If mediation fails, your case will proceed to a hearing on your RFO. This is your first “day in court.” Here, your attorney will present your case to the judge, not through verbal testimony, but through a sworn written “Declaration” that attaches all your evidence. The judge will read your declaration, read the other parent’s, and make a “temporary order.” This temporary order is critical, as it often sets the “status quo” that can be very difficult to change later.
This entire local procedure—from the RFO, to the specific rules of confidential mediation, to the declaration-based hearing—is a specialized track. A lawyer who is a great financial negotiator but has little experience with this OC-specific custody process is a major liability.
Your focus should be on the part of your case with the longest-lasting consequences. When you are ready to speak with an attorney who has mastered the local Orange County custody process, contact the team at JOS FAMILY LAW.
