Grandparents' Rights Guiding You Through Difficult Times

Grandparents’ Rights Attorney in Ventura

Board Certified. Mediation Certified. 70+ Years Serving Ventura Families.

Grandparents’ rights cases sit at one of the harder intersections in California family law: the law recognizes the value of a grandparent-grandchild bond, yet it also gives parents significant constitutional authority over their children’s lives. Whether you’re a grandparent who has lost access to your grandchildren after a divorce, a death, or a family breakdown, or a parent responding to a grandparent’s legal claim, SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation can help you understand your options and navigate what comes next.

We handle grandparent visitation petitions, custody proceedings, and mediation-based resolutions throughout Ventura. Our team represents both grandparents seeking access and parents working through a grandparent’s claim, bringing over 70 years of combined family law experience to every matter we take on.

Contact our office to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Same-day appointments are available. Call us at (805) 222-7818 to speak with our team.

Litigation, Mediation, or Collaboration: Your Case, Your Options

Most grandparents’ rights matters don’t have to end in a courtroom battle. Donna Santo is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist certified by the State Bar of California with 34 years in that credential and a certified family law mediator through the Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. That combination is uncommon. It means we can pursue your matter through negotiation or mediation when the family situation allows, and through litigation when it doesn’t.

Michael Mehas brings more than 30 years of litigation experience and has practiced family law since 1997. Together, we evaluate the facts of your situation and recommend an approach that fits, rather than defaulting to the most adversarial path available.

Child-First Perspective
Every decision in a grandparents’ rights matter should center on the grandchild. We keep the child’s well-being and stability at the center of our strategy, whether we’re helping a grandparent build a visitation case or helping a parent respond to one.

Mediation as a Real Option
Court proceedings in family law are public and can escalate tension between family members. Mediation offers a confidential setting where grandparents and parents can reach a workable agreement without open court conflict. Donna Santo’s mediation certification means this option is built into how we practice, not added on as an afterthought.

Litigation When It Matters
When mediation isn’t appropriate or has failed, we represent clients before the Superior Court of Ventura County with the depth of experience these cases require.

California Law on Grandparent Visitation

California Family Code §3104 governs grandparent visitation petitions and sets a two-part test. A grandparent must show, first, that a pre-existing bond exists between the grandparent and grandchild, one meaningful enough that continued contact serves the child’s interests. Second, the court balances the child’s interest in that visitation against the parents’ right to exercise their parental authority.

That second requirement reflects the constitutional backdrop established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Troxel v. Granville (2000), which affirmed that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children and that their decisions deserve significant deference. California courts take this seriously when weighing grandparent visitation petitions.

When Grandparents Can Petition for Visitation

As a general rule, grandparents can’t file a visitation petition if the child’s parents are married and living together. California law recognizes several exceptions:

The parents are separated on a permanent or indefinite basis
The child does not reside with either parent
One parent has been absent for more than one month without the other parent knowing their whereabouts
One parent is incarcerated or institutionalized
One parent joins the grandparent’s petition
The child has been adopted by a stepparent

If a visitation order is granted and circumstances later change so that none of these qualifying conditions still apply, either parent may ask the court to terminate the order.

Grandparent Custody vs. Visitation in California

Visitation gives a grandparent scheduled time with a grandchild while the parents retain custody. Custody is a different matter entirely, and the legal standard is more demanding. To seek custody, a grandparent must generally show that placing the child with a parent would be detrimental to the child and that awarding custody to the grandparent serves the child’s best interests.

Custody petitions typically arise when a parent is incarcerated, struggling with serious substance abuse, or has abandoned the child. When the goal is to raise a grandchild on a permanent basis and the parents are largely out of the picture, a guardianship proceeding is often the more appropriate legal path. We handle guardianship matters separately from family court visitation petitions.

Filing a Grandparent Visitation Petition in Ventura County

If no existing family law case is open between the child’s parents, a grandparent files a new petition with the Superior Court of Ventura County, typically using Form FL-300 (Request for Order) and potentially Form FL-311 (Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment). A family law declaration drafted by an attorney is the standard method for beginning that process.

If a divorce, separation, or parentage case is already active in family court, it may be possible to join that existing proceeding rather than open a new one. Either way, the grandparent’s petition must be properly served on the child’s parents, stepparents, and anyone with physical custody. Service requirements vary depending on how the matter is filed.

Mediation between grandparents and parents is often faster, less adversarial, and less costly than a contested hearing. Agreements reached through mediation can be submitted to the court for approval and become legally enforceable orders.

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Our Attorneys’ Qualifications for Grandparents’ Rights Cases

Grandparents’ rights matters require an attorney who understands both the litigation terrain and the alternatives to it. Our team brings credentials that are directly relevant to how these cases are handled.

Donna Santo

Donna Santo has been a Board Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California, for 34 years. Board Certification in family law is a designation the State Bar awards only to attorneys who meet rigorous standards of experience, education, and peer review in this specific practice area. She also holds a family law mediation certification from the Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, which allows our firm to offer mediation as a built-in option rather than a referral.

Donna is a member of the California Bar Association, the Ventura County Bar Association, and the VCBA Family Law Section.

Michael Mehas

Michael Mehas has over 30 years of experience as a litigator and has practiced family law since 1997. A graduate of Pepperdine University and Pepperdine University School of Law, Michael brings substantial courtroom depth to contested grandparents’ rights matters when negotiation or mediation isn’t the right fit.

Together, our team brings over 70 years of combined family law experience to clients throughout Ventura. That range, from certified mediation to seasoned litigation, means we can match our approach to what your situation actually calls for. Call us at (805) 222-7818 or contact us online to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. Same-day appointments are available.

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

“Michael Mehas showed true professionalism”
“Michael Mehas showed true professionalism”

- Mary H.
“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.
“It’s like a family & they wanna make sure your family is well taken care of”
I needed assistance ASAP! I called many firms & I was turned away due to COVID & the emergency of my case. I contacted Donna & Michael & they were there so fast, helped me prep, told me what to expect, what they needed from me & explained the processes. I highly recommend their services but be prepared to go to battle because Donna & Michael will literally go into that battle & win it. I have had great experiences with them as a professional team & know when I need them they are there to help, guide & support. It’s like a family & they wanna make sure your family is well taken care of. I appreciate them so much. Thank you.

- Erika
“They have been absolutely phenomenal”
“They have been absolutely phenomenal”

- Dante H.
“Santo Mehas what a great team”
SANTO MEHAS WHAT A GREAT TEAM ,VERY CARING, GOT THE JOB DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER .I WOULD RECOMMEND TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

- Alice D.
“They were there for me from the beginning to the end”
“They were there for me from the beginning to the end”

- Lawrence J.
“5 stars is not enough.”
5 stars is not enough. Mr. Mehas and Ms. Santo are the A team of attorneys. They are comprehensive, strategic, one step ahead, and a powerful team! When you hire the Santo Mehas firm to manage your case, you have hired a team of legal advocates who care, who will keep you informed, who will fight for you, and be the voice you need to represent you. Without the help of the entire firm, I know that I would not have had the successful outcomes I have had. They took on an extremely difficult case and encountered issues that no one expected and few had ever seen. They worked tirelessly to make sure that the truth was told and presented it perfectly. They stood by every one of my requests and guided me through the entire lengthy process. Though there were challenges, they strategically and diligently with compassion met them head on and never faltered. Their expertise and thoroughness provided us the pathway we needed to rise to victory. I am proud to be a client and will continue to retain them for all legal matters that may arise as I know I am in the best hands.

- Christy B.
“Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse.”
Donna and her staff are highly experienced/knowledgeable with family law. My case was complicated by child custody and divorce issues. For several years, my ex sought to always try and bring me back to court for mundane issues. Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse. I highly recommend Donna to anybody needing a qualified legal professional with a heart.

- J.T.

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