the issues are more limited in scope. Mediation will still be a step in the process before a final hearing is held, if the parties can’t settle their issues.

In many cases one party needs to enforce the terms of the Final Judgment in Court because the other party is not following the Agreement. Enforcement can be for any issue, including child support, time-sharing, holiday issues, medical expense reimbursement, property transfer and co-parenting issues. Enforcement is generally a faster proceeding than other family law matters. Hearings to enforce the payment of child support are scheduled relatively quickly.

Grandparent Custodial Issues

Grandparents are all too often these days called upon to raise their grandchildren. In some of these cases, it may be advisable or even necessary for the Grandparent to obtain legal guardianship status on a temporary basis. This is accomplished in Dependency Court, where the rules and procedures are somewhat different than in family court.

Step-parent Adoption

Step-parent adoption is handled in our office. If both biological parents are living, the parent who is giving up their parental rights must sign a Consent to the Adoption.