Mothers’ Rights Attorney in Ventura
Over 70 Years of Child-First Family Law Advocacy
Mothers facing decisions about child custody, visitation, financial support, property division, or protection from domestic violence need clear guidance through both the legal and emotional challenges involved. We protect our clients’ parental rights while pursuing practical, child-focused solutions, including mediation when it serves their interests.
Our attorneys bring more than 70 years of combined family law experience to matters ranging from negotiated agreements to contested proceedings. We offer free consultations and same-day appointments so mothers in Ventura, California, can understand their options and decide how to proceed.
Call (805) 222-7818 to schedule a free consultation with our mothers’ rights attorneys.
California Custody Law Treats Parents Equally
California courts don’t automatically award custody to mothers. Family Code Section 3040 prohibits courts from favoring a parent based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The tender years doctrine, which presumed that young children should remain with their mothers, no longer governs custody decisions.
Courts instead apply the child custody best interests standard. Under Family Code Section 3011, relevant factors include the child’s health, safety, and welfare, any history of abuse, and the nature and extent of each parent’s contact with the child. We present evidence of our client’s parenting role, respond to disputed allegations, and advocate for workable physical and legal custody orders.
What Our Mothers’ Rights Lawyers Handle
A family law case often involves several connected issues. Custody can affect support and housing, while allegations of abuse may require immediate protective orders.
Our representation can address:
- Child Custody and Visitation: We pursue parenting plans that address physical custody, legal custody, visitation schedules, holidays, transportation, and decision-making responsibilities.
- Child Support: We handle requests to establish, enforce, or modify support based on the information relevant under California law.
- Spousal Support: We represent clients in temporary and longer-term support disputes arising from separation or divorce.
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders: We assist with requests for no-contact, move-out, temporary custody, and other protective orders.
- Asset and Property Division: We address the classification and division of property and debts connected to divorce or separation.
Family Code Section 3044 becomes particularly important when domestic violence affects custody. A qualifying finding of domestic violence within the previous five years creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody to the offending parent. The affected parent may present evidence to overcome that presumption, so the outcome isn’t automatic.
Preparing for Child Custody Recommending Counseling in Ventura County
Before most contested custody or visitation requests proceed to a hearing, California Family Code Section 3170 requires court-connected mediation. Ventura County calls this process Child Custody Recommending Counseling. A trained Recommending Counselor works with the parents to explore a child-centered parenting plan.
If the parents agree, they may avoid asking a judge to decide every disputed detail. If they can’t agree, the Recommending Counselor may prepare recommendations for the court. We help mothers enter this process with organized evidence, realistic parenting proposals, and a clear understanding of the issues the judge may consider.
Our mediation-focused approach also supports negotiated resolutions outside contested hearings. Private mediation offers a confidential setting for discussing custody, support, and property. When negotiation isn’t appropriate or doesn’t produce an agreement, we pursue the contested process with the child’s needs and our client’s rights at the center of the case.
Meet the Attorneys Representing Ventura Mothers
Donna Santo and Michael Mehas represent clients in custody, divorce, support, mediation, and domestic violence cases. Together, our attorneys bring more than 70 years of combined experience and provide compassionate, efficient guidance tailored to each family’s circumstances.
Discuss Your Rights in a Free Consultation
Tell us about your custody, support, visitation, or protection concerns. We can explain the legal options and potential next steps based on your circumstances. Free consultations and same-day appointments make it easier to begin when timely guidance matters.
We seek amicable, child-focused solutions when possible and provide firm advocacy when a contested proceeding becomes necessary.
Call (805) 222-7818 to schedule your free consultation with SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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“A knowledgeable attorney with a strong character and ethical integrity.”
- Donald T.Thank you Michael for everything you have done for me. You are a knowledgeable attorney with a strong character and ethical integrity.
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“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. -
“Working with Donna Santos and Michael Mehas was such a blessing.”
“Working with Donna Santos and Michael Mehas was such a blessing.”- Melissa A. -
“a special Thank You”
Santo Mehas is a very helpful and understanding group to to work with- and a special Thank You to Michael for all your support.- Gail F. -
“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 -
“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. -
“Donna obtained a good result for me, for which I am ever grateful.”
- Carla H.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.
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“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.
