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SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation
A Team of Compassionate Legal Advocates 805-222-7818
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Guardianship Guiding You Through Difficult Times

Guardianship Lawyers in Ventura

File for Guardianship in CA

There are a myriad of reasons why a child may need a guardian.

Sometimes parents have a difficult time taking care of their child due to:

  • Drug addiction
  • Physical illness
  • Mental illness
  • History of abuse
  • Unable to provide for the child
  • Parent faces jail time
  • Deployment overseas

What Is Guardianship?

In California, guardianship is defined as a court proceeding where a judge grants an individual who is not the child’s parent custody of the child, the authority to manage the child’s estate, or both.

How Is Guardianship Different Than Adoption?

Guardianship is not the same as adoption. In a guardianship, individuals may be supervised by the court. Additionally, the court can terminate the guardianship if the individual can no longer care for the child.

Guardians have the following rights:

  • Parental rights
  • Contact with the child

Adoptive parents are not supervised by the court and have the following rights:

  • Parental rights will be terminated
  • Legal relationship with the adopting parents is permanent and treated as if the adopting parents were the child’s actual birth parents

The courts will always uphold the best interests of the child standard to ensure that he/she is raised in a safe, stable, and loving environment. A legal guardian is a great option for a child when his/her parents are not available to provide this.

How to Get Guardianship in California

To obtain guardianship in California, you will need to fill out the mandatory paperwork and complete the following steps before going to court:

  • Fill out and file your forms with the court clerk
  • Give notice to the child’s parents, relatives, and any adoption agency involved – if applicable
  • Complete and file the proof of services forms
  • Get everyone who agrees to the guardianship to sign a consent and waiver of notice
  • Have a court investigator speak with you and prepare his/her investigation report
  • Attend your court hearing where the judge will either award or deny guardianship
  • File your court order with the court clerk

Our Ventura Guardianship Attorneys Care About You and the Child You Love

If a child you know or love needs a legal guardian, you are going to want an experienced attorney you can trust to help you protect that child. Our attorneys have 70+ years of combined legal experience and the compassion you would expect to handle your guardianship matter. We care about you and the child you love.

For additional information about our guardianship services, contact us online or call us at (805) 222-7818.

An Emphasis on Strong Family Values

Our firm places a strong emphasis on the importance of family values. The balance between maintaining these family values and generating a better future for you and your family is one we strive to achieve with each case. Our values consist of:
  • Holistic Approach

    We aim to resolve conflict so you and your family can move on peacefully. We approach all aspects of a case, including the emotional, financial, and mental components, and advocate with you throughout.

  • Collaboration

    Collaborative divorce can be a great option for spouses looking to share joint custody of their child/children and the court looks favorably on this decision. When possible, we strive to come to a resolution that will benefit both spouses.

  • Children Come First

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

  • Compassionate Legal Services

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

Our Satisfied Clients

Real Stories from Real People
  • “Donna Santo is a very professional lawyer”

    Donna Santo is a very professional lawyer, along with a very professional staff. I was searching for a lawyer familiar with military law, and Donna was the top of the search!! I needed a divorce attorney, and she has amazing military knowledge. She kept me up to date on everything and if I did not understand something she was very patient and explained in detail, until I completely understood the situation. When it came down to spousal support, a lump sum was not satisfactory, and Donna "fought" for me until I was awarded a lump sum and full monthly spousal support (we did not have children) and now I am able to live comfortably without worrying if I am going to make ends meet. If you need a professional lawyer, whether or not you need military law, consider Donna Santo, you will definitely NOT be disappointed!!

    - Kathy
  • “Donna did a great job on my divorce.”
    “They kept the case on track, knew which options were optimal, and responded well to my preferences for proceeding.They kept legal bills to a minimum as they worked expertly on my behalf.”
    - David
  • “A final settlement in a reasonable amount of time at a price”

    When I brought in this law firm to represent me in my divorce, my wife and her lawyer knew I had gained the ability to fight back if necessary. From that point on, negotiations could proceed. Peace through strength. Fortunately, no protracted or unnecessary fighting was necessary. Due to longstanding relationships, understandings, and trust between my team and my wife's team, deals were worked out on several fronts, avoiding crossing anyone's red lines and resulting in a final settlement in a reasonable amount of time at a price far below what either of us expected to pay.

    - David G.
  • “A knowledgeable attorney with a strong character and ethical integrity.”

    Thank you Michael for everything you have done for me. You are a knowledgeable attorney with a strong character and ethical integrity.

    - Donald T.
  • “Michael Mehas showed true professionalism”
    “Michael Mehas showed true professionalism”
    - Mary H.
  • “If you think you need help, you do and I recommend this firm.”
    If you think you need help, you do and I recommend this firm. After a very sticky situation in court, Donna and Michael came in and saved the day on short notice. Not only are they a very knowledgeable firm but truly care about their clients. They take the time to listen and in turn explain the legal side to bridge the gap in feelings vs law.
    - Bonnie V.
  • “Donna and Michael are outstanding”
    Donna and Michael are outstanding, I was referred to their office and as soon as I retained their services the legal nightmare I was in was over and the tone changed from the other party immediately. Donna will not lead you into a false sense in pursuing an unrealistic outcome. Donna achieved a very fair ruling and straightened out lots of dishonesty in my case against the other party which was much needed.
    - John H.
  • “They are definitely five stars in their legal experience”
    “They are definitely five stars in their legal experience”
    - Bryan