San Luis Obispo Child Custody Lawyers
Hosford & Hosford offers effective legal counsel to secure your rights and relationship with your children.
As your child custody lawyer, we learn about your goals for the case and evaluate the circumstances of your situation. Then, we work efficiently to arrive at a satisfactory resolution, communicating with you about our progress at every stage.
In most divorce matters, including custody disputes, cases are either resolved with an agreement or a court order. Hosford & Hosford’s lawyers can represent you effectively in both settlement discussions and courtroom litigation. Find out what to expect with our team leading your case.
Issues That Child Custody Cases May Address
As your San Luis Obispo child custody lawyer, we can advise you on a variety of matters, including… 
Legal custody: Legal custody establishes whether one or both parents have the authority to make decisions regarding the children’s health, education, and welfare. Parents typically share legal jointly (joint legal custody). Occasionally, only one parent may be given the authority (sole legal custody).
Physical custody: This determines temporary and long-term living arrangements for children. The children may reside primarily with one parent while the other parent has visitation rights. Alternatively, the physical custody may be “joint” (both parents sharing substantially equal time with the child).
Child custody mediation: In mediation, parents meet with a trained mediator to learn about shared parenting and to see if they can reach an agreement on custody. The law requires that parents participate in child custody mediation before presenting disputes to a judge. In addition to serving as a San Luis Obispo child custody lawyer, Hosford & Hosford can provide parents with help during the mediation process. Court mandated child custody mediation is a service provided by Family Court Services (or the Family Law Facilitator’s office). The parties can agree through a private mediator (such as Hosford & Hosford), or ask the judge for an order, which requires mediation with family court services.
Child custody evaluations: In some cases, the court requires help in determining the parenting arrangement that serves the best interests of the child. A mental health professional may evaluate the parents and children for these cases and then report the findings to the court.
Post-judgment child custody and visitation modifications: A San Luis Obispo child custody lawyer can work on your behalf to change the visitation schedule and living arrangements even if a final judgment has been entered. In a modification case, Hosford & Hosford will present facts to a court so that it can determine whether circumstances warrant a change. Modification may be allowed as the children get older, or, in a more extreme example, if a parent begins abusing drugs or alcohol.
Working with Hosford & Hosford
If you are involved in a child custody case, it is important to choose a legal representative who will work diligently and professionally on your behalf and who will prioritize your best interests as well as your family’s.
At Hosford & Hosford, we aim for settlement when possible. This approach can avoid costly litigation, achieve an agreement that works for both parties, and makes the process less acrimonious. In situations that require litigation, we help you understand what to expect in the courtroom and work to develop a compelling case, relying on over 35 years of experience in child custody matters.
Meet Us
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Johnathan William Hosford started his post collegiate career in service of the United States Coast Guard, serving honorably on board the US Coast Guard Cutter Storis, WMEC 38, out of Kodiak, Alaska. John later served at the Command Area Master Station Pacific, a communication base in Pt. Reyes Station, California. He used the G.I. Bill to finance law school, graduating Magna Cum Laude, while raising three young children and working for Union Pacific Railroad in the Information Technology Division.
Education
- USCG Basic Training, USCG Advanced Electronics Training
- California Polytechnic University, Pomona – Bachelor of Science, Computer Information Systems
- University of San Luis Obispo School of Law – Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude
Bar Admissions
- California State Bar – 2013
- U.S. District Court, Central Division
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of California
- San Luis Obispo County Bar Association
- Central District Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Association
Stephen C. Hosford was born in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from San Diego State University. He went on to study law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1976 from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton. He is a gifted negotiator and trial advocate.
Education
- Western State University – Juris Doctorate
- San Diego State University – Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Bar Admissions
- California State Bar – 1977
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California – 1977
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of California, Family Law Section
- San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Valerie Ryall Hosford was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She came to law as a second career, graduating summa cum laude (with highest honors) from Western State University College of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1994. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist (State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), and is a trained mediator and practitioner of collaborative divorce. Legal research and writing are her passions.
Education
- Western State University – Juris Doctorate
- Bar Admissions
- California State Bar – 1994
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California – 1995
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of California, Family Law Section
- San Luis Obispo County Bar Association
- San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
To learn more about child custody representation, contact Hosford & Hosford at (805) 439-1906 or toll-free at (855) 675-4496.