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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
  • “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 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.
  • “Donna fought for me and she will fight for you.”
    I have a pretty complicated case that needed a lot of things done quickly and Donna was able to not only get them done but she knocked it out of the park and I am very happy with the outcome. She is also great at communicating things throughout the process in a way that I could understand.
    - Wayne
  • “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.
  • “Donna is the consummate professional and I would recommend her to anyone with divorce or family law issues.”
    “I came to Donna due to her strong reputation and extensive understanding in the area of family law. Based upon her very knowledgeable advice, I was able to settle my case without the time and expense of having to go to court.”
    - Dave D.
  • “Michael and Donna are amazing!”
    Michael and Donna are amazing! Very supportive, quick with responses and they made my proceedings go so smoothly, providing all information and options I needed to decide what was best for me, and are there if I'm in need of any other information. Highly recommended!
    - Kristin N.
  • “Donna obtained a good result for me, for which I am ever grateful.”

    I met Donna Santo over 20 years ago, when I needed an attorney to represent me in a post-judgment custody dispute trailing across three states due to my nomadic military background. As prior military I had a great respect for the courts. I met Donna first, and she scared me. But of course that was what I wanted: a sharp, assertive attorney. The onset of that custodial dispute marks one of the most horrible periods of my life. Fortunately, Donna and her team were my guides as well as my advocates. To this day, when on occasion I have needed a family law attorney, I have called Donna. She has always obtained a good result for me.

    - Carla H.
  • “Exceptional Lawyer”
    Attorney Michael Mehas was one of the most straight forward people I have ever met. He handled my cases immediately. He accomplished something for me and my family that three Los Angeles County divorce lawyers failed to do: He got child support from my ex husband within short periods of time. He guided me through the process with honest advice, and his legal fees were very reasonable, he's professional, and I have referred him to family members. Since then, Mr. Mehas has also handled several civil matters for me and is the only attorney I turn to when I need legal help. I’d hire him again, such a positive experience in the middle of a bad situation. Thank you, Michael Mehas, for all you've done for me and my family.
    - Jess