Going through a child custody dispute can be an emotionally challenging experience for all parties involved. The well-being of your child is of utmost importance, and it is critical to ensure their best interests are protected throughout the process. In cases like these, having a skilled and experienced attorney by your side can make a significant difference. Minyard Morris, the leading family law firm in Newport Beach, has been providing exceptional legal representation in child custody disputes for over 46 years.
In 2024, the esteemed and independent lawyer rating service, Best Lawyers in America® listed 19 of 20 Minyard Morris family law attorneys.
In the world of family law, strategic thinking is everything. At Minyard Morris, we don’t just react to the challenges that arise; we plan, we adapt, and we strategically position our Newport Beach clients for success. For decades, our firm has taken a unique approach to legal strategy through our regular, focused strategy meetings. These sessions are where we bring together the collective experience of our 20 skilled family law attorneys to tackle the intricacies of every case.
Every Monday evening, Tuesday at noon, and Thursday at noon, our entire team gathers for a deep dive into our cases. These meetings are not casual or optional; they are at the heart of our practice. We bring nearly 300 years of combined experience to the table, analyzing each case with a level of detail and insight that sets us apart. This collaboration allows us to explore all possible angles, discuss strategic challenges, and brainstorm solutions.
During these sessions, we focus on the critical questions that will define our strategic approach. How do we handle a particular opposing counsel known for their aggressive tactics? What strategies will be effective with the specific judge assigned to the case, given their preferences and tendencies? We dissect every aspect of the law involved, reviewing relevant case law, recent appellate decisions, and new insights from legal seminars. This strategic deep dive ensures that we remain current, proactive, and prepared to address any issue that might arise.
These meetings are not just about information sharing; they are about strategic problem-solving. Our child custody attorneys use these sessions to present their proposed strategies and receive feedback from the group. Every plan is scrutinized, tested, and refined based on the collective knowledge in the room. We debate different approaches, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and modify strategies to make them as effective as possible.
We take a proactive stance in these meetings. We anticipate obstacles before they arise and brainstorm creative ways to overcome them. For example, when discussing settlement options, we explore innovative structures that align with our clients’ goals while avoiding common pitfalls. If evidentiary issues are likely to be a sticking point, we strategize on how best to present our evidence for maximum impact. This thorough process means that by the time a strategy leaves the meeting, it has been fine-tuned from every angle.
The impact of this process is profound. When you hire Minyard Morris, you’re not just getting a single attorney’s insight; you’re getting the collective strategic power of 20 experienced family law professionals. It’s like having a dedicated think tank working on your behalf, something smaller firms simply cannot provide.
For instance, when one of our child custody attorneys encounters a challenging legal question, they bring it to the group. Often, another attorney has faced a similar issue before and can immediately provide insights, referencing case law, appellate decisions, and successful strategies they’ve used in the past. This rapid, informed collaboration allows us to act decisively and strategically, saving time and maximizing our effectiveness.
Our discussions extend beyond legal theory. We assess the likelihood of success for various arguments in front of specific judges, debate which expert witnesses will best support our case, and evaluate how best to present evidence to bolster our position. This level of strategic planning is all about giving our Newport Beach clients the upper hand, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and every potential advantage is explored.
Committing to these thrice-weekly meetings is an investment we make in the quality of our representation. The internal cost of bringing 20 family law attorneys together three times a week is significant, especially considering our hourly rates range from $350 to $800. However, we never bill this time to our clients. Why? Because we know that these sessions are vital to crafting the best strategies and achieving the best outcomes for our Newport Beach clients
It’s a commitment that we’ve held for decades, and it continues to be a core aspect of how we deliver superior service.
While other firms may engage in occasional case discussions, none match the structured, rigorous approach we take at Minyard Morris. This process is ingrained in our culture, forming the backbone of our practice and setting us apart in the family law field.
When you work with Minyard Morris, you’re engaging a firm that places strategy at the forefront of its practice. We don’t leave success to chance; we plan for it. Our thrice-weekly meetings are where strategies are crafted, honed, and perfected. By pooling our knowledge and working through every possible scenario, we ensure that each case is equipped with a robust, flexible plan.
This is the Minyard Morris advantage: a firm that is relentless in its pursuit of strategic excellence, one that invests the time and effort to think ahead and adapt to any challenge. When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that brings proactive, comprehensive planning to every case—providing you with the best possible path forward. That’s the power of strategic collaboration, and it’s what makes Minyard Morris the right choice for navigating the complexities of family law.
In the world of family law, strategic thinking is everything. At Minyard Morris, we don’t just react to the challenges that arise; we plan, we adapt, and we strategically position our Newport Beach clients for success. For decades, our firm has taken a unique approach to legal strategy through our regular, focused strategy meetings. These sessions are where we bring together the collective experience of our 20 skilled family law attorneys to tackle the intricacies of every case.
Every Monday evening, Tuesday at noon, and Thursday at noon, our entire team gathers for a deep dive into our cases. These meetings are not casual or optional; they are at the heart of our practice. We bring nearly 300 years of combined experience to the table, analyzing each case with a level of detail and insight that sets us apart. This collaboration allows us to explore all possible angles, discuss strategic challenges, and brainstorm solutions.
During these sessions, we focus on the critical questions that will define our strategic approach. How do we handle a particular opposing counsel known for their aggressive tactics? What strategies will be effective with the specific judge assigned to the case, given their preferences and tendencies? We dissect every aspect of the law involved, reviewing relevant case law, recent appellate decisions, and new insights from legal seminars. This strategic deep dive ensures that we remain current, proactive, and prepared to address any issue that might arise.
These meetings are not just about information sharing; they are about strategic problem-solving. Our child custody attorneys use these sessions to present their proposed strategies and receive feedback from the group. Every plan is scrutinized, tested, and refined based on the collective knowledge in the room. We debate different approaches, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and modify strategies to make them as effective as possible.
We take a proactive stance in these meetings. We anticipate obstacles before they arise and brainstorm creative ways to overcome them. For example, when discussing settlement options, we explore innovative structures that align with our clients’ goals while avoiding common pitfalls. If evidentiary issues are likely to be a sticking point, we strategize on how best to present our evidence for maximum impact. This thorough process means that by the time a strategy leaves the meeting, it has been fine-tuned from every angle.
The impact of this process is profound. When you hire Minyard Morris, you’re not just getting a single attorney’s insight; you’re getting the collective strategic power of 20 other experienced family law professionals. It’s like having a dedicated think tank working on your behalf, something smaller firms simply cannot provide.
For instance, when one of our child custody attorneys encounters a challenging legal question, they bring it to the group. Often, another attorney has faced a similar issue before and can immediately provide insights, referencing case law, appellate decisions, and successful strategies they’ve used in the past. This rapid, informed collaboration allows us to act decisively and strategically, saving time and maximizing our effectiveness.
Our discussions extend beyond legal theory. We assess the likelihood of success for various arguments in front of specific judges, debate which expert witnesses will best support our case, and evaluate how best to present evidence to bolster our position. This level of strategic planning is all about giving our Newport Beach clients the upper hand, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and every potential advantage is explored.
Committing to these thrice-weekly meetings is an investment we make in the quality of our representation. The internal cost of bringing 20 family law attorneys together three times a week is significant, especially considering our hourly rates range from $350 to $800. However, we never bill this time to our clients. Why? Because we know that these sessions are vital to crafting the best strategies and achieving the best outcomes for our Newport Beach clients. It’s a commitment that we’ve held for decades, and it continues to be a core aspect of how we deliver superior service.
While other firms may engage in occasional case discussions, none match the structured, rigorous approach we take at Minyard Morris. This process is ingrained in our culture, forming the backbone of our practice and setting us apart in the family law field.
When you work with Minyard Morris, you’re engaging a firm that places strategy at the forefront of its practice. We don’t leave success to chance; we plan for it. Our thrice-weekly meetings are where strategies are crafted, honed, and perfected. By pooling our knowledge and working through every possible scenario, we ensure that each case is equipped with a robust, flexible plan.
This is the Minyard Morris advantage: a firm that is relentless in its pursuit of strategic excellence, one that invests the time and effort to think ahead and adapt to any challenge. When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that brings proactive, comprehensive planning to every case—providing you with the best possible path forward. That’s the power of strategic collaboration, and it’s what makes Minyard Morris the right choice for navigating the complexities of family law.
In California, parenting plans determine child custody and parenting time (visitation). If you can agree on a parenting plan with your child’s other parent, the court will approve it in all but the most unusual circumstances. If you cannot, a court will determine a parenting plan for you.
There are two types of child custody in our state:
Both physical and legal custody can be joint or sole, meaning either one or both parents may have it.
When it comes to deciding child custody matters, the courts in Orange County prioritize the best interests of the child above all else. Under Family Code Section 3011, a court must consider the following factors when determining the best interest of the child:
It is important to note that each child custody case is unique, and the court’s decision will ultimately depend on the specific circumstances and evidence presented. In addition, judges have significant discretion when making decisions about child custody and parenting time, so it’s important to work with an experienced lawyer who will present your case in the strongest terms possible.
Navigating a child custody dispute can be daunting, but with the assistance of a skilled child custody lawyer, you can ensure your rights are protected and your child’s best interests are upheld. Minyard Morris, the premier family law firm in Newport Beach, has a team of 20 dedicated family law attorneys with combined experience of almost 300 years.
By hiring a child custody lawyer from Minyard Morris, you can benefit in the following ways:
If you are facing a child custody dispute in Newport Beach, it is crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced child custody lawyer as soon as you can.
For unparalleled experience and guidance in your child custody case in Newport Beach, trust the experienced child custody attorneys at Minyard Morris. Call us at 949-724-1111or contact us online to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards resolving your child custody dispute as favorably as possible.