Carlsbad Mothers' Rights Attorneys
North County Lawyers Defending Your Rights as a Mother
When it comes to divorce and child custody in California, the law does not give preferential treatment to mothers. In fact, California law has a distinct bias in favor of joint custody. The law presumes that the child’s best interests are served by consistent contact with both parents. Ideally, parents going through divorce proceedings negotiate a workable custody and visitation agreement; if they are unable to do so, the parents are typically required to enter mediation.
If you’re a mother who is worried about losing her rights to her children, we want to help make sure that doesn’t happen. Call us at (858) 371-5569 or contact us online to learn more.
Mothers' Rights in California
The courts will always rule in favor of the child's best interests. A mother does have the right to petition for sole custody. A mother may be awarded sole custody for reasons such as:
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse and/or neglect
- Drug use and/or alcohol abuse
- If the child is a teenager and prefers to live with his or her mother, the judge will consider their wishes.
If a mother is awarded sole legal or physical custody, the non-custodial parent is still responsible for contributing to the children’s financial support. Custody, visitation, and child support issues are finalized in divorce proceedings, although they can be revisited in the years following the divorce. Keep in mind, however, that the court looks favorably upon what has worked in the past. In other words, if the current schedule is working for the children, the court might be hesitant to change it without good cause.
If the mother is unmarried, California law dictates that she has sole legal and physical custody of her child and can control the type and frequency of contact with the father. If she wishes to and is able to establish paternity, either through the father’s voluntary legal declaration or through a paternity test, the mother is entitled to receive child support from the father.
Our Client-Centered Approach Puts You and Your Children First
When you meet with your divorce attorney, be prepared to talk about your relationship with your children and their father’s relationship with your children, as well as any evidence you might have regarding the father’s problematic behavior. Your divorce attorney will be able to evaluate the information and determine whether you have grounds to contest joint custody.
If you are ready to talk about your maternal rights or anticipate that your divorce will include a contested child custody arrangement, call Griffith, Young & Lass at(858) 371-5569 or contact us online to connect with a member of our team.
Our skilled team of attorneys includes two certified family law specialists who are experts in the field. To date, we’ve successfully handled many mother’s rights cases in Carlsbad, and we are confident that we can help you reach a solution that best protects your parental rights if they are being threatened. Do not hesitate to contact us for the legal support you need and deserve at this time.

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

Our Results Speak for Themselves
Over 100 5-Star Reviews Throughout Our Social Media Platforms
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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.
