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Child Custody Law & Legal Representation

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Compassionate Child Custody Lawyers. Ardent Legal Representation.

Providing Knowledgeable Guidance and Skilled Legal Representation in the Best Interest of Our Clients and Their Family.

For years, Southern California has been able to count on Fischer & Van Thiel for all their Child Custody & Visitation Family Law needs. In addition to our Oceanside Law Office, our Family Law Firm Represents Service Area Clients in Camp PendletonNorth CountySan Marcos, Vista, and throughout the local San Diego CountyCalifornia region.

The Difference Between Legal & Physical Child Custody

Parents must understand the difference between legal and physical custody of a child. Legal custody refers to the parent’s authority to make decisions regarding how the child is raised.

The court will either award shared legal custody – which means parents must make these decisions together – or sole custody, which means one parent has the authority to make these decisions on their own.

Physical custody refers to the child’s living arrangements. In a joint physical custody arrangement, the child will go back and forth between each parent’s home.

The parents — or the court — will need to decide how to split the child’s time between the two parents. If sole physical custody is awarded, the child will live with one parent.

The other parent will typically be awarded visitation with the child, but this parent will not spend as much time with the child as the other parent.

Enforcing & Modifying Court Orders

Though establishing child custody and visitation agreements is integral to finalize the divorce between parents, making sure it is reflective of their changing circumstances as time passes is also essential.

As such, many people find themselves needing legal help with:

Modifications to custody orders
Modifications to visitation agreements
Enforcing visitation agreements

Helping to Prepare for Child Custody Mediation

When preparing for Child Custody Mediation in California, the first thing you’ll do is pull together all of the Details that Define your Child’s Daily Activity Schedules, such as:

Both Parent’s Work Schedules
Any of upcoming Business Trips
Any school holidays the children have
Vacation Plans and Holidays
Anything else that can affect visitation & custody

Considerations for Your Child Custody Mediator

It’s also not uncommon to meet with a child custody mediator or attorney to ensure they are a good fit. You want someone who’s listening more than they are talking.

Of course, mediators and child custody attorneys are trained to be neutral and their ethics must be a priority. You want to come prepared and remain respectful of everyone else in attendance.

Your mediator will discuss any specific challenges and will help his or her clients through what’s almost always an emotional time.

Write down your perfect solution with considerations for both parties.
Understand that Your Checklist won’t be complete, but it’s a great place to start.
Your Spouse will also have his or her own list and Prority Criteria.

If there are some especially difficult challenges, the child custody lawyer is going to help you both negotiate solutions that first, benefit your children and second, benefit your needs as a parent.

Compromise is where the answers are found and no one gets exactly what they want, save for the children; that really does happen only if both parents don’t show their disappointment. This can benefit both sides, as you work to find that middle ground.

Child Custody Attorneys with Expertise & Experience

Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP provides over 57 Years of Combined Family Law Counsel Experience dedicated to Your Family throughout the Child Custody Legal Process.

Divorce is rarely a simple matter, but when the spouses pursuing divorce are parents, it can become much more complicated. Child Custody and Visitation are among the most sensitive issues that can arise during a Divorce.

Finding a reasonable balance that respects the rights of both parents and protects the interests of the children can often be difficult. However, with the help of an experienced legal professional, finding a resolution for this issue can be much easier.

At Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP, we know the importance of Child Custody and Visitation Agreements, and the damage it can cause if a person does not get the arrangement they want or feels is best for their children.

For this reason, it is typically best to have a lawyer who is intimately familiar with family law and custody issues representing your interests. Our Oceanside Child Custody Attorneys have the skill and experience needed to effectively resolve your case.

Partnering with Child Custody Lawyers who have expert experience understand the Family Law Legal System in San Diego County, who is attentive to your family’s needs, is always your best Legal Strategy. Give Fischer & Van Thiel a call at (760) 722-7646 or contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Local Service Area Customer Testimonial Reviews

Child Custody Legal Services Revew

"Thank you, Michael Fischer, you really are great at what you do."


"Going through a very stressful time Michael Fischer really helped me through it all. He helped me fight my case and took a lot of weight off my shoulders in order to get full custody of my son. He reported back to me all the updates with my case and ended up winning my case!

- Former Client, Oceanside California

Child Custody Legal Services


"Thanks, Thomas!"


"He was there every step of the way. Helped make this custody situation a little more bearable. Thank you, Tom and Linda."- Maria, Oceanside, CA

Divorce Legal Services


"They're very dependable, knowledgeable, and experienced."


"The Fischer & Van Thiel Firm is a great firm. They're very dependable, knowledgeable, and experienced. I definitely recommend them."

- Elizabeth G., Oceanside, CA

Family Law Legal Services


"This office is really good, thanks for everything."


- Patti A., Oceanside, CA

Divorce & Ongoing Family Law Services


"Friendly and knowledgeable — I highly recommend them!"


- Allison O., Oceanside, CA

Family Law Legal Services


"Friendly and knowledgeable — I highly recommend them!"


- Allison O., Oceanside, CA

Family Law Legal Services


"Fischer & Van Thiel is a very knowledgeable office and great to work with!"


- Chelsey G., Oceanside, CA

Why Choose Fischer & Van Thiel, PC

Experienced & Caring Family Law Attorneys


  • Over 57 Years of Combined Legal Practice Experience

  • Available by Appointment, Phone & Video Consult

  • Complimentary 30 Minute Family Law Consultations

  • Committed to Protecting Your Rights & Privacy

  • Always Serving You & Your Children’s Best Interests

  • Affordable & Friendly Family Law Divorce Lawyers

About Our Law Firm

Contact Us Today! or Call Us at (760) 722-7646


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Do a search for "Best Family Divorce Attorney Near Me Oceanside" to find Us!  You Can Trust Us with Your Family's Best Interests.  Always!

Contact Us Today

Oceanside, CA Office

Fischer & Van Thiel, PC
2424 Vista Way Suite 200
Oceanside, CA 92054
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Ph: (760) 722-7646

Oceanside Business Hours:

Mon-Fri:   8am - 5pm
Sat & Sun:   Closed