Carlsbad Family Law Attorneys
Fathers' Rights Compassionate in Our Approach, Decisive in Our Strategy

Father’s Rights Attorneys in Carlsbad

Certified Family Law Specialists Fighting for Fathers' Rights

At Griffith, Young & Lass, we understand the special challenges and unique parental rights issues that fathers face in family law. Our fathers' rights lawyers in Carlsbad are here to help you in the fight of your life: your relationship with your children.

Too many fathers have suffered the heartache of losing the close relationship they once enjoyed with their children at the hands of the largely biased family court system. There is a perception, largely due to real-life experiences, that family courts are biased against fathers and that mothers are perceived to be more suited to provide primary care to their children.

Call us today at (858) 371-5569 or contact us online for immediate help from a parental rights attorney.

Our Approach to Father’s Rights Cases

Believe it or not, the law in California begins with the presumption that parents should share joint custody of their children. If you are a father who wants joint custody, the law is on your side. At GYL, we have had great success representing fathers in divorce because we have a plan for each case.

The keys to success within a biased system are recognition, education, preparation, and presentation:

  1. Recognize the bias and identify the issues giving rise to the bias. Effective counter argument is impossible without an understanding as to what you are up against.
  2. Educate the father as to what the court and the court-appointed evaluators and mediators will be looking for.
  3. Prepare the father for success at mediation and in court. This includes role playing mediation interviews, role playing testimony in court, gathering documents and information relevant to parenting issues, etc.
  4. Presentation of the case in court is of upmost importance when faced with a biased system. At times, there is a natural inclination for family court judges to draw on personal experience to make assumptions that assist them in making their orders. This is where bias comes in.
  5. It is the job of your family law attorney to “fill the gaps” with evidence. The more relevant information that you give to the judge, the less room there is for biased gap filling. Given sufficient evidence, your family lawyer can argue the facts and tie them to the law, effectively funneling the court toward the desired result.

Every child custody case has a unique set of facts and circumstances. Every case has its own path to success. At GYL, our Carlsbad fathers' rights lawyers can identify the potential issues in your case and help you build a plan that will give you the best chance for success. Call us now to talk to an experienced fathers' rights attorney about your case.

We are passionate about helping families remain intact even when the parents are no longer together. If you’re concerned about losing your parental rights as a father, we can offer fathers' rights help.

Submit an online contact form here or call us at (858) 371-5569.

A Brief History of Fathers' Rights in the U.S.

Family dynamics, gender roles, and family laws have evolved. As a result, a father’s fate in a custody settlement has been affected in a fair way.

In the 19th century, a father had reason to fear the outcome of a custody battle due to a doctrine known as the “Tender Years”. This doctrine awarded custody to the mother instantly. Typically, the outdated doctrine believed children under the age of seven required their mother’s care daily.

Under this system, divorced fathers had no say in how their children were raised and lacked the right to see them whenever they wished to. Visitation could be arranged if the mother allowed it.

In the early 20th century, custodial laws evolved. Fathers could be awarded custody if there was hard proof the mother was unfit. In the 1960s, cultural shifts changed the statute to fathers rights as women started entering into the workforce. This changed the overall cultural attitude on the father’s role in raising his children. The “Tender Years” doctrine has been replaced with a new doctrine practiced in the courts known as “Best Interests”.

This current doctrine is gender-neutral and holds the assumption of 50-50 custody sharing between parents. The updated doctrine seeks out the most peaceful environment for the children and places the parties on equal starting ground.

“The biggest myth is the court favors the mothers over fathers,” said Shirin Asgari, a San Diego Family Law Attorney. “A lot of men think the court is going to be biased against them or that it will be more difficult for them to get joint or primary custody than it is for their female counterparts.”

Fathers need to know their rights and remain confident under the pressure of child custody cases involve. We strongly encourage men in this situation to seek out proper legal representation as soon as possible. Our society has advanced and shifted the way we view gender roles. Fathers can absolutely provide a warm and loving home for their children.

Call (858) 371-5569 today to consult a fathers' rights lawyer near you.

Meet Our Team 

Honest. Fearless. Bold.
  • John N. Griffith, Esq., CFLS
  • Catie E. Young, Esq., CFLS
  • Amy J. Lass, Esq., CFLS
  • Shirin Asgari, Esq., CFLS
  • Noelle J. Slattery, Esq.
  • Eric Cowdery, Esq.
  • Joshua Yee, Esq.
  • Shaudi Malekzadeh, Esq.
  • Lea Trojanowski, Esq.
  • Greyson Sharp, Esq.
  • Brittany Van Ryder, Esq.
  • Karissa Piralla, Esq.
  • John N. Griffith, Esq., CFLS John N. Griffith, Esq., CFLS

    Partner

    John Griffith has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since 2009. John is a Certified Family Law Specialist certified as an expert in the area of family law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Prior to opening Griffith, Young & Lass, he worked as the managing partner of one of the largest family law firms in North County San Diego.
    John N. Griffith, Esq., CFLS Photo
  • Catie E. Young, Esq., CFLS Catie E. Young, Esq., CFLS

    Partner

    Catie E. Young excels in child custody cases and move-away trials. She has a unique approach to child custody cases and clients of Griffith, Young & Lass tend to gravitate toward her in these cases. Since joining the firm, she has continuously brought her zeal and compassion to representing clients in child custody and domestic violence cases, and in December 2011, she became a partner at Griffith, Young & Lass.
    Catie E. Young, Esq., CFLS Photo
  • Amy J. Lass, Esq., CFLS Amy J. Lass, Esq., CFLS

    Partner

    Amy Lass, a certified family law specialist, was born in New York and raised in San Diego, California. Amy graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2003 with a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Enterprise Accounting. Amy went on to earn her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and graduated cum laude in 2006.
    Amy J. Lass, Esq., CFLS Photo
  • Shirin Asgari, Esq., CFLS Shirin Asgari, Esq., CFLS

    Associate

    Attorney Shirin Asgari has a broad spectrum of legal experience and has handled matters in family law, criminal law, business law, and national security law. Currently, she focuses on family law matters and is a strong advocate for the rights of her clients. She dedicates time and attention to the needs of each client and the unique circumstances their case presents.
    Shirin  Asgari, Esq., CFLS Photo
  • Noelle J. Slattery, Esq. Noelle J. Slattery, Esq.

    Associate

    Noelle J. Slattery, Esq. has a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts/Acting from Emerson College in Boston and a Juris Doctor ...
    Noelle J. Slattery, Esq. Photo
  • Eric Cowdery, Esq. Eric Cowdery, Esq.

    Associate

    Eric Cowdery earned his bachelor’s and Master’s degrees before earning his JD from Golden Gate University as part of the Honors Lawyering Program. He was admitted to the California Bar Association in 2013 and has been working diligently in the field ever since. Taking a personalized approach to each case, Eric Cowdery is committed to working with clients to help them through the often confusing and complex legal process of divorce.

    Eric  Cowdery, Esq. Photo
  • Joshua Yee, Esq. Joshua Yee, Esq.

    Associate

    Attorney Joshua Yeereceived his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, from the University of California, San Diego. Joshua went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco. His experience working with a local Certified Family Law Specialist solidified his desire to become a family law attorney. Since becoming an attorney, Josh has exclusively practiced in family law.
    Joshua  Yee, Esq. Photo
  • Shaudi Malekzadeh, Esq. Shaudi Malekzadeh, Esq.

    Associate

    Shaudi Malekzadeh is a Carlsbad family law attorney at Griffith, Young & Lass, advocating for the rights and interests of Southern California families in a variety of family law cases, such as child custody, alimony, spousal support, and the division of community property. She is committed to delivering effective legal representation to our clients, aggressively advocating for their legal rights, and offering compassionate legal advice.
    Shaudi  Malekzadeh, Esq. Photo
  • Lea Trojanowski, Esq. Lea Trojanowski, Esq.

    Associate

    Lea Trojanowski is an attorney with Griffith, Young, and Lass, joining the firm in March 2021. Her pragmatic and level-headed approach to family law has allowed her to be successful in even the most emotional family law cases. Lea has effectively represented clients in a wide range of family law proceedings, but is particularly drawn to domestic violence restraining order cases.
    Lea  Trojanowski, Esq. Photo
  • Greyson Sharp, Esq. Greyson Sharp, Esq.

    Associate

    Greyson Sharp received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California State University, Fresno. After ...
    Greyson  Sharp, Esq. Photo
  • Brittany Van Ryder, Esq. Brittany Van Ryder, Esq.

    Associate

    Brittany Van Ryder joined Griffith, Young, and Lass as a Bar Clerk in September 2022. She became an Associate Attorney at the ...
  • Karissa Piralla, Esq. Karissa Piralla, Esq.

    Associate

    A San Diego native, Karissa earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from UCSD and a Juris Doctorate from the University ...

Our Results Speak for Themselves

Over 100 5-Star Reviews Throughout Our Social Media Platforms
  • The way John presented our case was pure genius with meticulous preparation and deliberate action in court.

    “We were referred to John Griffith at GYL by our former attorney. I specifically was looking for an aggressive attorney that would yield results. John, Josh, and the firm performed flawlessly, and did ...”

    - MoMo M.
  • I would highly recommend Griffith, Young & Lass to anyone looking for ethical, honest, hard-working and skillful lawyers.

    “I would highly recommend Griffith, Young & Lass to anyone looking for ethical, honest, hard-working and skillful lawyers (I would stress these are actually rare qualities within the legal industry and ...”

    - Scott G.
  • You cannot find a better law firm.

    “I cannot say enough good things about John Griffith and this law firm. Each person i interacted with was responsive, intelligent, thoughtful and professional. Attorney Griffith worked very hard to ...”

    - Michelle P.
  • It was the best decision I’ve made yet and hopefully, it will be yours too.

    “She doesn’t back down from anyone. It was the best decision I’ve made yet and hopefully, it will be yours too.”

    - Ian R.
  • Understanding, accessible, and I was very happy with the outcome of my case. If I could give a higher rating I would!

    “Easy to work with, forthcoming about the process, set realistic expectations, and always kept cost in mind.”

    - Jennifer P.
  • All three lawyers worked together on the issues surrounding my case, which helped greatly when I was in need of answers or support.

    “The GYL team is always prompt at returning calls & emails. From personal experience, I can tell you that they will not step away from your case until it's finished.”

    - Kelsey L.
  • I couldn’t have made it without them! I highly recommend them!

    “GYL has been an extraordinary support and backing in my divorce. Being a male in the military, the process for divorce and custody is difficult. GYL was extremely helpful, and I was able to full custody of my children. That alone is such a monumental feat.”

    - Frankie S.
  • Worth every penny! My custody case went as stress-free as it could possibly be.

    “I hate seeing anyone go through custody battles but if you’re in that situation and need someone who is trustworthy and great at what they do, then I swear this is the place to get the help!”

    - Emily B.
  • I highly recommend GYL if you are ever in need of a family law attorney.

    “No matter who I corresponded with they were always knowledgeable of my case and quick to respond.”

    - Kimberley F.
  • Highly professional and supportive in a very uncertain time in my life.

    “My clearance was granted without any additional issues. I'd recommend this legal team to any Soldier needing help with their clearance.”

    - K. Brooks
  • Always willing to listen to your concerns. I would highly recommend.

    “Compassionate and kind, however, he will fight for you and your best interests. He is calm and calculated and extremely smart.”

    - Ann M.
  • Extremely helpful, responsive, and reasonable and got the job done amidst tenuous circumstances.

    “She and her team were extremely compassionate, sensitive with me while concurrently advocating strongly on my behalf.”

    - Jeremy R.
  • I felt like she was practical and knowledgeable and most importantly, she listened.

    “The professional and succinct assistance was a much-needed breath of fresh air in the maze of hurdles and complications with our family law case.”

    - David R.
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Why GYL? 

Turn to a Team that Does It Best
  • We're Leaders in Our Field

    From case planning to preparation, to superior courtroom presence, our clients can be sure that they will walk into the Courtroom prepared and with the best chance of success.

  • Client Centered & Results Oriented

    Our representation is tailored to the unique circumstances of each client. We deploy the GYL strategic case trajectory dynamic to ensure the best chance at success at the most reasonable cost. 

  • Brilliant, Hard-Working & Honest

    We don't believe in wasting our client's time and money. Helping people is what drives us to excel at our craft. We first identify the goals and interests of each client, we then develop an efficient and effective case plan aimed at achieving those goals.

  • Responsible & Ethical Practices

    We believe in a responsible and ethical practice and stick to our values regardless of the situation. We're transparent and don't just tell our clients what they want to hear, unless it's what we believe, even if it may deter them from moving forward. We stand by our team's expertise and will always be upfront and honest with our clients. 

Get Started Today

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