Few things matter more than time with your kids, and a custody case is one of the hardest things a parent goes through. Maybe you are separating and need a parenting plan, you want to change an existing order, or the other parent is keeping the children from you. In California, custody turns on the best interest of the child, and Long Beach cases are heard at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, where parents must attend mediation through Family Court Services before a judge decides. Below are vetted Long Beach firms that handle child custody.
Updated May 31, 2026
Some parents agree on a schedule and only need help putting it in a valid order. Many do not, and that is where a Long Beach custody lawyer earns their fee. A lawyer makes sure your parenting plan is specific enough to prevent future fights, presents your case the way the court actually weighs it, handles the required mediation and any custody evaluation, and moves fast when a child is being withheld or is at risk. Custody also runs alongside child support, which California calculates with a guideline formula, so the two are usually handled together.
The stakes rise when there is domestic violence, substance abuse, a move-away request, or a parent who will not cooperate, all situations where going in without a lawyer is risky.
Talk to a Long Beach custody lawyer if any of these describe your situation.
California front-loads mediation. Step 1: a parent files a request for order asking the court to set custody and visitation. Step 2: before the hearing, both parents must attend mediation (called Child Custody Recommending Counseling) through Family Court Services, where a counselor tries to help you agree and may make a recommendation to the judge. Step 3: if you reach an agreement, it becomes a court order. Step 4: if not, the judge holds a hearing and decides based on the child's best interest, sometimes after a custody evaluation. Step 5: orders can be modified later if circumstances change substantially. Emergency requests are available when a child is in immediate danger. Many cases resolve at or before mediation.
Most Long Beach family lawyers bill by the hour, commonly $300 to $500, and ask for an upfront retainer that the hourly fees are drawn against, often $3,500 to $7,500 to start. An uncontested custody arrangement that the lawyer simply documents can be relatively affordable. A genuinely contested case, especially one with a custody evaluation, move-away request, or trial, often runs $5,000 to $20,000 or more depending on how hard it is fought. Some matters can be handled on a limited-scope basis, where the lawyer helps with specific steps to control cost. Ask about the hourly rate, the retainer, and whether limited-scope help is an option.
Updated May 31, 2026. Verified across Super Lawyers, Martindale, Justia, Avvo, and firm records. We do not accept payment for placement. Where a firm's aggregate client rating is not yet compiled, we say so rather than invent one.
A Long Beach family law firm handling custody, divorce, and support matters. A good fit for parents who want focused local family-law representation through mediation and, if needed, a contested hearing.
A Long Beach family law practice that handles custody and visitation disputes. A good fit for parents who want personal attention on a custody matter without a large-firm structure.
A Long Beach family law firm focused on custody, parenting plans, and order modifications. A good fit for parents working through a new arrangement or trying to change an existing order.
A Long Beach family law group handling custody, divorce, and support. A good fit for parents who want a team approach to a contested custody or combined divorce-and-custody case.
A Southern California family law firm serving the Long Beach area on custody and related family matters. A good fit for parents facing more complex disputes such as move-away requests or high-conflict custody.
Tell us briefly what is happening with your kids. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Long Beach firm in this directory. No obligation.