Voted #1 Family Law Firm in California
in a statewide poll limited to Judges, Attorneys, and Law Firm Administrators.
Request a Consultation
Few legal matters are more important than determining the future care and well-being of your children. Whether you are going through a divorce, separating from your child’s other parent, or resolving a parentage matter, child custody decisions can shape your family’s future for years to come. Questions about where your child will live, how parenting time will be shared, and who will make important decisions regarding education, healthcare, and daily life deserve thoughtful legal guidance and careful planning.
California courts decide every custody case based on one guiding principle: the best interests of the child. Rather than focusing on what either parent wants, the court evaluates the child’s health, safety, stability, and overall well-being. Understanding how courts apply this standard—and presenting a parenting plan that demonstrates your commitment to your child’s best interests—can significantly influence the outcome of your case.
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, we represent parents throughout Hermosa Beach and the South Bay in a wide range of child custody matters. Whether your case involves an initial custody determination, a parenting plan dispute, a modification of an existing order, or a complex relocation matter, our attorneys provide experienced guidance focused on protecting your parental rights while promoting long-term stability for your child.
California law recognizes two separate forms of child custody, and understanding the distinction between them is essential when developing a parenting plan or preparing for court.
Legal custody refers to a parent’s authority to make important decisions regarding a child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and general welfare. In many California cases, parents share joint legal custody, allowing both to participate in major decisions affecting their child. Sole legal custody may be appropriate when shared decision-making is not practical or would not serve the child’s best interests.
Physical custody determines where a child lives and how parenting time is divided between parents. Joint physical custody does not necessarily mean an equal 50/50 schedule. Instead, it means the child maintains substantial and continuing contact with both parents whenever appropriate. Depending on the family’s circumstances, one parent may have primary physical custody while the other exercises scheduled parenting time.
Every family has different needs. Work schedules, school attendance, extracurricular activities, travel commitments, and the child’s age all influence the parenting arrangements that may work best. Our Hermosa Beach child custody attorneys help parents develop practical parenting plans that support their child’s stability while preserving meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible.
California courts do not automatically favor one parent over the other. Instead, judges evaluate each family’s circumstances to determine what custody arrangement serves the child’s best interests.
When making custody decisions, courts may consider factors such as:
For families in Hermosa Beach and throughout the South Bay, maintaining consistency is often an important consideration. Parenting plans may account for school schedules, extracurricular activities, athletic commitments, and the practical realities of commuting throughout Los Angeles County. Courts recognize that preserving stability in a child’s daily routine often supports their overall well-being.
Because every custody case is unique, preparation matters. Presenting a well-developed parenting plan, maintaining organized documentation, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to your child’s best interests can significantly strengthen your position. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, we work closely with parents to develop thoughtful legal strategies that focus on practical solutions while protecting the parent-child relationship.
Every family has unique needs, and no parenting arrangement works for everyone. Whether parents are able to cooperate or are involved in a highly contested dispute, developing a custody arrangement that promotes a child’s well-being requires careful planning and experienced legal guidance.
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, we represent parents throughout Hermosa Beach and the South Bay in all aspects of child custody and visitation, including:
Every custody matter deserves an individualized approach. We take the time to understand your family’s circumstances, your child’s needs, and your long-term goals before developing a legal strategy designed to protect your parental rights while promoting stability for your child.
For decades, Schoenberg Family Law Group has helped families resolve sensitive custody matters with professionalism, compassion, and practical legal guidance. Led by founding attorney Debra Schoenberg, a Certified Family Law Specialist, our team understands how California courts evaluate custody cases and how thoughtful preparation can help parents present credible, child-focused parenting plans.
Not every child custody dispute needs to be resolved in a courtroom. California courts encourage parents to work together whenever possible, and in many Los Angeles County custody matters, mediation plays an important role before a judge makes final custody decisions.
When parents are able to communicate effectively and remain focused on their child’s needs, mediation offers several advantages. It allows parents to develop parenting plans tailored to their family’s schedule, maintain greater control over important decisions, preserve privacy, and often resolve disputes more efficiently than contested litigation.
For many Hermosa Beach families, mediation also provides the flexibility to create parenting schedules that account for school calendars, extracurricular activities, work schedules, vacations, and the day-to-day routines that are unique to their children.
However, mediation is not appropriate in every situation. Cases involving domestic violence, child safety concerns, substance abuse, or an inability to communicate productively may require litigation. In those situations, our attorneys provide experienced courtroom advocacy while remaining focused on achieving an outcome that supports the child’s best interests.
Whether your custody matter is resolved through negotiation, mediation, or trial, we help you understand your options and prepare for every stage of the legal process.
Child custody arrangements are designed to provide stability, but families’ lives inevitably change. As children grow and circumstances evolve, an existing custody order may no longer meet the child’s needs or reflect the family’s current situation.
California courts may modify custody or visitation orders when there has been a significant change in circumstances and the proposed modification serves the child’s best interests.
Common reasons parents seek custody modifications include:
One issue that often surprises parents is that informal custody agreements are not legally enforceable. Even if both parents agree to change a parenting schedule, those modifications should be properly documented and approved by the court to ensure they remain legally binding and avoid future misunderstandings.
When seeking or responding to a custody modification, our attorneys help clients gather the necessary evidence, prepare persuasive legal arguments, and advocate for solutions that promote the child’s long-term well-being while protecting each parent’s rights.
Child custody matters involving Hermosa Beach families are typically handled through the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Depending on the circumstances, your case may involve mediation, temporary custody orders, or hearings before a family law judge.
Several public resources are available to assist parents throughout the custody process.
The Los Angeles Superior Court hears child custody and visitation matters for families throughout Hermosa Beach and the surrounding South Bay communities. The court also provides filing information, required forms, and procedural guidance.
Family Court Services provides court-connected mediation for parents involved in custody and visitation disputes. In many cases, mediation is required before the court will issue final custody orders.
The California Courts Self-Help Center offers statewide access to family law forms, educational resources, and filing instructions for parents involved in custody proceedings.
While these resources can help explain the legal process, they cannot provide legal advice tailored to your family’s circumstances. An experienced Hermosa Beach child custody attorney can help you understand your rights, protect your relationship with your child, and advocate for your family’s best interests throughout the proceedings.
Child custody disputes require more than an understanding of California family law. They require thoughtful legal strategy, careful preparation, and an attorney who recognizes that every decision can have a lasting impact on both parents and children. Whether your case involves an initial custody determination, a modification of an existing order, or a complex relocation dispute, experienced legal guidance can help you protect your parental rights while keeping your child’s well-being at the forefront.
For decades, Schoenberg Family Law Group has represented families throughout Southern California in sensitive and complex child custody matters. We understand that every family is different, which is why we develop legal strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstances rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Led by founding attorney Debra Schoenberg, a Certified Family Law Specialist, our team combines extensive family law experience with compassionate advocacy. We work closely with parents to develop practical parenting plans, prepare thoroughly for mediation and court proceedings, and pursue solutions that promote long-term stability for children.
When you work with Schoenberg Family Law Group, you can expect:
We understand the importance of these cases and are committed to helping parents navigate the custody process with professionalism, compassion, and experienced legal representation.
If you are facing a child custody dispute, seeking legal guidance early can help you better understand your rights and prepare for the decisions ahead. Whether you are establishing an initial parenting plan, modifying an existing custody order, resolving a visitation dispute, or addressing a relocation issue, Schoenberg Family Law Group is prepared to provide the experienced representation your family deserves.
Our attorneys represent parents throughout Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, and surrounding South Bay communities. We are committed to helping families protect meaningful parent-child relationships while pursuing custody solutions that promote stability and serve the child’s best interests.
Contact Schoenberg Family Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Hermosa Beach child custody attorney and learn how we can help you move forward with confidence.
"I was seeking a reputable family law firm for my prenuptial agreement and received high praise for the Schoenberg Law Group. My attorney listened to my questions and responded to them very patiently. She also paid close attention all my concerns and made sure I was aware of the legal value of the agreement I was about to sign. It was…”
D.R.“It has been a real blessing to find this family law group in my life. I was in the middle of a custody battle with my ex wife and had a lawyer who had sided with my ex wife’s lawyer. I was faced with the option of paying to a regular lawyer to do half jobs with no results or to invest a bit more for a top family counselor who understood my situation and at the same time not giving me false hopes."
A.L."I hesitated filing papers for a long time because I was not sure if I could survive a long legal battle. When we were married, my husband worked while I raised the children, two under four years old, and I was afraid I would lose the stability they needed. I had a wonderful group of friends that helped me search for a reputable law firm that could represent me when my focus was on my children. They found the"
L.A.We are trial lawyers who litigate high-conflict, high-stakes cases. While we try to build on mediation efforts and exhaust opportunities for a negotiated agreement, emotions, egos and various other realities often force these disputes into court. It is critical to work with a firm that knows how to apply the law and the facts in your favor, whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table.
One of California’s Top Family Lawyers for five consecutive years: 2022–2026
SFLG Voted #1 Family Law Firm in California for six consecutive years: 2021 - 2026
One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by San Francisco Business Times
Debra Schoenberg was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Designated as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization
Board-Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
“My goal is to preserve your dignity and your humanity throughout what can be a very difficult and painful process, while at the same time achieving a favorable outcome on your behalf.”
Over 400 Years of Collective Family Law Experience
Debra R. Schoenberg
Owner & Founder
Kimia Kojouri
Associate
Not necessarily. California uses a statewide guideline formula to calculate child support, taking into account each parent's income, the amount of parenting time, and other statutory factors. Even when parents in Hermosa Beach share parenting time equally, one parent may still be required to pay child support depending on the family's financial circumstances.
A child's wishes may be considered if the court determines the child is of sufficient age and maturity, often around age 14 or older. However, the child's preference is only one factor among many. In Los Angeles County custody cases, the court's primary focus remains the child's best interests.
If a parent repeatedly fails to comply with a court-ordered custody or visitation schedule, you may ask the Los Angeles County Superior Court to enforce the existing order or, in some circumstances, request a modification. Courts take violations seriously when they interfere with a child's stability or relationship with a parent.
A move-away case arises when one parent wants to relocate with a child in a way that could significantly affect the current custody arrangement. Whether the proposed move is within California or to another state, the court will evaluate how the relocation may impact the child's best interests and relationship with both parents. These cases often require experienced legal representation.
Yes, in certain circumstances. California law allows grandparents to petition for visitation when they have an existing relationship with the child and continued contact would serve the child's best interests. Every case is unique, and courts carefully evaluate the family's circumstances before granting visitation.
Every custody case follows its own timeline. Some matters are resolved through mediation or negotiated agreements within a few months, while contested cases involving custody evaluations or multiple court hearings may take considerably longer. The complexity of the issues and the court's schedule both influence how quickly a case moves forward.
Yes. California courts allow custody orders to be modified when there has been a significant change in circumstances and the requested modification is in the child's best interests. Whether the change involves relocation, a parent's work schedule, or the child's evolving needs, an experienced Hermosa Beach child custody attorney can help determine whether a modification may be appropriate.
The "best interests of the child" standard guides every custody decision made by California courts. Judges consider factors such as the child's health, safety, emotional well-being, relationship with each parent, stability at home and school, and any circumstances that may affect the child's overall welfare. This standard applies to all custody matters involving families in Hermosa Beach and throughout Los Angeles County.
