Trusted Child Custody Attorney in Mountain View, CA
Mountain View Child Custody Lawyer Who Has Represented Children for Over 20 Years
You are thinking about who tucks your children in at night. Will you still be the one who picks them up from school, takes them to the doctor, and decides where they go to camp? Will the other parent end up with more time, more say, and more control over your kids’ daily life than you have?
These questions are exactly why we are here.
Rebekah Frye is a Certified Family Law Specialist, a designation held by fewer than 1% of California attorneys, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. For over 20 years, Santa Clara County judges have personally appointed her to represent children in the most difficult custody disputes. That means she has sat on the other side of the table from parents like you and knows precisely what judges weigh, how custody evaluations unfold, and what it takes to build a parenting plan the court will approve. Contact us to talk about what you are facing, and we will give you a clear picture of where you stand.
| Certified Family Law Specialist | AAML Fellow | 29+ Years Experience | LL.M. in Taxation |
Child Custody Matters We Handle in Mountain View
We represent Mountain View parents in contested and complex custody disputes. Every case begins with understanding your family, your children’s specific needs, and what you are trying to protect. From there, we build a strategy based on what we know works in this courthouse and with these judges. We handle:
- Legal and physical custody: determining where your children live and who makes decisions about their schooling, health care, and upbringing
- Custody modifications: adjusting existing orders when circumstances change, including relocation, new relationships, or changes in a child’s needs
- Move-away cases: defending or opposing a parent’s request to relocate with the children out of the area
- Neurodiverse parenting plans: building individualized schedules for children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing needs who require consistency across two households
- Emergency custody orders: obtaining immediate protection through Request for Order filings when a child’s safety is at risk
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How Child Custody Is Decided in Mountain View
California courts decide custody based on one standard: the best interests of the child, as defined by California Family Code § 3011. That standard gives judges broad discretion to evaluate your family, including each parent’s relationship with the child, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse, and which parent is more likely to support the child’s ongoing relationship with the other parent.
The court is not required to split time evenly. If your co-parent presents a stronger case, or has an attorney who understands how Santa Clara County judges approach custody, the outcome could leave you with less time and less decision-making authority than you have now.
What happens at the Family Justice Center Courthouse will shape your children’s daily lives for years, making it important to have a dedicated Mountain View family law attorney by your side who understands what’s at stake.
What to Expect in a Santa Clara County Custody Case
If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody, the court requires mediation through Family Court Services before scheduling a hearing. Mediation takes place at the Family Justice Center Courthouse at 201 N. First Street in San Jose, on the fifth floor. A trained court mediator meets with both parents, sometimes separately, to try to reach a parenting plan that serves the children’s needs.
If mediation does not produce an agreement, the case moves to a hearing where a judge reviews declarations, evidence, and testimony from both sides before issuing custody orders. In high-conflict cases, the court may appoint a custody evaluator to investigate the family or Minor’s Counsel to represent the child’s interests independently. We prepare clients for every stage of this process, from what to file before mediation to how to present a case at a contested hearing, so nothing catches them off guard.
FAQs About Mountain View, CA Child Custody Laws
Are mothers favored in California child custody cases?
There is no automatic preference for mothers or fathers. Judges evaluate the child’s health, safety, and welfare, the quality of each parent’s relationship with the child, any history of abuse or domestic violence, and which parent is more likely to encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent.
Where are Mountain View custody cases heard?
All family law cases for Mountain View residents are heard at the Family Justice Center Courthouse at 201 N. First Street in San Jose. Custody mediation takes place on the 5th floor of the same building.
How much does a child custody lawyer cost in Mountain View?
Fees depend on the complexity of the case, whether the matter is contested, and what is at stake. We discuss fees openly during the initial consultation so you understand the cost before making any commitment. Every case is different, and we will give you an honest estimate based on the facts of your case.
Can I modify a custody order after it is finalized?
Yes. If there has been a significant change in circumstances, either parent can file a Request for Order asking the court to modify custody. Common triggers include a parent’s relocation, a change in work schedule, a child aging into new needs, or concerns about safety. We help parents build the evidence for modification and present it clearly to the court.
What is Minor’s Counsel, and how does it affect my case?
Minor’s Counsel is an attorney appointed by the court to represent the child’s interests in a custody dispute. The appointment happens in high-conflict cases or cases where the court believes the child’s voice needs independent representation. Rebekah Frye has served as court-appointed Minor’s Counsel in Santa Clara County for over 20 years. If Minor’s Counsel is appointed in your case, we know exactly how to work with that process.
Talk to a Mountain View Child Custody Lawyer Today
You do not have to figure out custody on your own, and you do not have to walk into the Family Justice Center without a plan. We have helped parents across Mountain View and Santa Clara County protect their time with their children, and we can give you an honest assessment of your situation before you make any decisions. Contact The Law Offices of Rebekah A. Frye, PC to schedule a confidential consultation. Tell us what you are most worried about, what you want your relationship with your children to look like going forward, and we will build a strategy to help protect it.
