The host of Top Chef, Padma Lakshmi, is now being brought into the limelight as her ex-partner engages her in a nasty child custody battle over daughter Krishna Thea. Adam Dell, a venture capitalist, filed papers in court this week demanding full custody of Krishna. This comes in light of the fact that Lakshmi has never actually confirmed thepaternity of her daughter. 

The pair had arranged for an out-of-court agreement that is set to expire on their daughter's first birthday, Feb. 20. That former agreement allowed Dell nine days with Krishna. Adding insult to injury is the fact that Dell is now voicing his disapproval with his daughter's name as well. On the day that she was born witnesses observed Dell launch into a four-hour tirade over Krishna's name.

Lakshmi is furious that Dell has attempted to make a public spectacle out of their disagreement and wants to settle it privately between the two parties.

The famous chef is now involved with billionaire Theodore "Teddy" Forstmann.

Are you going through achild custody battle?  If so, contact us to work with a Riverside family lawyer. 

Although closing arguments were made in the child custody case involving NBA star Dwayne Wade it is uncertain as to what is true and what isn't in the case. The only thing that people close to the family can agree on is that his two children are confused and stuck in the middle of this nasty custody case.

According to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Renee Goldfarb, this case "is just the saddest thing". She added that "I have two parents who truly love their sons, and extended families, aunts and grandmothers and just all these people who love them." Yet after everything is said and done she was most concerned for the mental state of the two little boys, Zaire, 8, and Zion, 2. 

Wade has been fighting with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Wade since 2007 when she decided to move out of their South Florida home to the suburbs, bringing the two boys along. Both parties are fighting for sole custody of the boys. 

Going through a difficult child custody case?  Contact our law office to work with a Riverside family law attorney.

A man attempting to interfere with child custody found himself behind bars in Salamanca last week. Mark D. Pierce, 31, was taken into custody on Thursday on charges of second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment.

Taken in by local city police, Pierce was arraigned shortly after and held in lieu of the $200 bail.

Another person was also arrested in conjunction to this child custody incident. Nadine E. Pierce, 26, is set to appear in court on Jan. 21 for her charge of trespass.

While obtaining child custody is difficult enough, enforcing it can often be challenging. If your former spouse or partner has been giving you trouble in regards to the legal arrangements for the custody of your child(ren,) don't hesitate to call a Riverside family law attorney now to get the help you need today. Contact the Law Offices of Michael Young today to set up your initial child custody consultation.

Reports of shots fired on Friday night brought police in Indianapolis to the home where a child custody dispute had come to a boil.

When police arrived at the 8100 block of Loveridge Drive residence they learned that the mother of a three- month-old baby had attempted to drop the child off at its father's residence. However, the two began to argue prompting the father to pull out a gun, fire it into the air and at the woman's vehicle. The mother left the scene without bringing the child with her. However, she soon changed her mind, returned to the scene to retrieve the baby, only to find that the suspect had fled with the infant.

Shortly after the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department missing persons department started investigating the case, they learned that the suspect had dropped the baby off at a relative's house. The baby was then taken to Community North Hospital to be treated for a pre-existing medical condition.

Going through a rough child custody battle?  Get our law firm involved by contacting a Riverside family lawyer today.

A good Samaritan was stabbed last week when trying to break up a child custody fight between two parents.

The fight began around 2:20 a.m. in the 17300 block of E. Adriatic Place when Cruz Antonio Guevara-Flores began fighting with his estranged wife over the custody of their young child. When the third person heard the fight he attempted to calm Guevara-Flores down, only to be stabbed by him. At that point the father grabbed his child and fled from the scene of the crime.

About two hours after leaving the home Guevara-Flores returned with the child, leaving him in the parking lot to be quickly discovered by police. He was apprehended around 6 a.m. and taken into custody on charges of second and third degree assault at the Aurora Municipal Jail.

If you are going through a serious child custody battle, do not wait to get a Riverside family law attorney involved in your case as soon as possible. Contact our law office now!

A bizarre case in Georgia gets a little stranger as a woman is fighting for the custody of her child in Gilmer County. Lisa Lynette Clark was formerly imprisoned on statutory rape charges for sleeping with a 15-year-old boy. However, she also had a baby with this person and then married him. Now that Clark is free she is fighting to regain custody of her baby. 

The story made international headlines in 2006 when Clark announced that she planned on keeping the baby of her 15-year-old boyfriend. To make it worse, she married him before going to prison. Their child is now four years old and living with a legal guardian, Angela Perkins. She has raised him since birth.

Although the court records are not being released for their case, family members report that Lisa and Adrian Gonzales' request was denied by a judge. However, he did grant the couple additional visitation rights with their son. Officials are not commenting on the case at this time either.

If you are in the middle of a child custody battle in Riverside, contact the Law Office of Michael Young to discuss your case with a Riverside family lawyer.

Child custody cases in Pennsylvania will now have to adhere to new legislation passed by Governor Ed Rendell this week. In cases of separation and divorce, House Bill 1639 is designed to ensure that both parents have an equal chance when determining child custody. The bill primarily states that custody cannot be awarded based on the gender of the child as has previously been the case.  

This legislation will also demand that judges provide a written statement regarding why their made their decision for each child custody case. In addition, in cases where domestic violence has been proven or discussed, the courts will not be so lenient in granted custody.

Finally, those individuals who do not comply with their court-ordered visitation schedules and custody orders will face much harsher penalties, as much as six months in jail, suspension of driving rights, and a fine of $500.  

Need help with a child custody matter in Southern California?  Contact us to get a Riverside family lawyer involved!

A child custody battle involving a high-profile high molestation case has finally come to a close in Catoosa County this week. In a surprise turnaround by both parties, Tonya Craft and Joal Henke were able to come to an agreement regarding their two children. Tonya Craft was charged with 22 counts of child molestation 2.5 years ago, which led to her very public and internationally-watched trial. She was eventually found to be not guilty by a Catoosa County jury. During the time of the trial, former husband Joal Henke was given full custody of their children.

The two parties met briefly in private chambers on the fourth day of the custody hearing, after which they made a plea to the judge. Craft and Henke stated that they were able to set emotions aside to come to an agreement in order to "care and love our children the way we're able to do."

If you need assistance with a tough child custody matter, contact our law firm to get advice from a Riverside family lawyer.

Governor Ed Rendell must decide the fate of a future legislative bill that could change Pennsylvania law regarding child custody cases. Crafted by Representative Eugene DePasquale, D-York, the bill would prevent the court system from assigning custody to children solely based on their gender.  It is intended to provide equality in assigning child custody to both parents.

Instead, Pennsylvania courts would need to use other requirements when making their decision: need for continuity and stability in the child's life, who would be more likely to promote contact with the other parent, as well as access to siblings and additional family members. The bill would also include a special addendum for victims of domestic violence.

In cases where a move could be involved, the judge must consider whether relocation would enhance the child's quality of life, rather than just satisfy one parent's need to move. When cases arise for contested custody, the courts will ask both adults to submit a parenting plan to be considered.

For each custody case, judges would also be required to write a formal reason why they assigned custody to one parent over the other.

Need assistance of the child custody matter?  Contact us to get help from a Riverside family law attorney.

A ground-breaking case in England has the people wondering how the courts will rule in a custody battle between a gay man and a lesbian woman. After answering the man's ad in a newspaper for artificial insemination, the woman gave birth to two children from his sperm. She has raised those children with her partner of twenty years.

The father, who was granted a joint residency order of the children, is now in court with the mother, who cannot be named, who is fighting this order. She claims that he is attempting to "marginalize" her civil partner and force his way into the children's lives. As of now, a Brighton judge had already ordered that the children spend as much as one-half of the year with him. He claims that he simply wants to have an active role as a father to his children.

This case is being heard by the highest civil judge in England, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger.

Involved in a seriouschild custody battle?  Contact the Law Offices of Michael Young to receive help from a Riverside family law attorney.

In Bethel, it has been reported that three siblings want to change the local law so children who are over the age of 12 have a stronger voice in child custody disputes between parents.

The children, Trianna, Marika and Cyril Gutzman, have come up with a petition known as "Trianna's Law" and have plans to present it to state legislators.

13-year-old Trianna is a freshman at Kent School, Marika is 12 and Cyril is a 10 year old fifth grader.  All of the children feel that kids can represent their own needs and best interests better than an attorney who may speak on their behalf.  The parents of the Gutzman children currently share joint custody.

Last Spring, Trianna came up with the idea of a petition and recently started to collect signatures.

She said, "I'm very happy people are so positive to change the law. I wouldn't have thought to do this if I hadn't seen the movie `Gandhi,'".  She also said, "He gave me the inspiration to make the change. He said, `Be the change you want to be in the world.'"

The petition revolves around the idea that children over the age of 12 would be able to meet with the judge presiding over their family law cases to communicate their wishes when custody is disputed.  Current law allows an attorney or an appointed guardian is usually asked to represent and protect the interests of minors.

Trianna told a local news source, "I think there are plenty of kids in Connecticut who have the same problem and wish they had a say."

Contact our law firm to get help from a Riverside family lawyer during your custody dispute!

New sources are buzzing that Oksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson had signed achild custody agreement months ago.

In May, an agreement was signed that spelled out clearly that Gibson was entitled unsupervised contact with his daughter, Lucia.  He was able to get joint legal and physical custody, despite his former girlfriend's hesitations.

TMZ.com reports that the child custody agreement was signed by both parties on May 16^th and then disavowed by Grigorieva shortly after.  Allegedly, she claimed she did not know that the new agreement would give Mel unsupervised contact with their daughter.

However, court documents list with painful detail the schedule for custody down to the day and the hour. In the documents, Gibson received joint legal custody of his daughter and also received significant unsupervised visitation which would lead to 50/50 physical custody when Lucia turns three.

Are you having issues with a child custody agreement?  If so, contact us to discuss your case with a Riverside family lawyer!

If you are going through a difficult child custody battle, there are several things you should do to alleviate conflicts, tension and stress:

• One of the first things you should do when you know you are involved in a serious child custody battle is to obtain representation from an experienced Riverside family lawyer as soon as possible.  An attorney who understands the laws of your state and can help you as you try to seek joint or sole custody.
• If possible, try to maintain and amicable relationship with your former spouse or partner.  Child custody is a heated issue, but many arguments can be resolved when you work cooperatively with your child's other parent.
• Remember that your child comes first.  It is important to put your child's best interests above your own.  When you do this, you will show your child and the court that you take your parental responsibilities seriously and are truly devoted to protecting your child's well-being.

Contact us today if you would like to discuss your child custody case with a Riverside family law attorney.

A child custody decision is being left in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court.  According to Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney David Dye, the case has an unusual twist.  He told OneNewsNow that the fight over the child occurred after, "a mom and a dad had a baby [and] subsequently divorced. Both parties got remarried, and then unfortunately mom died. But even more unfortunately, mom's new husband was given custody of their child."

In a typical child custody case, the precedent would grant the biological father primary custody.  However, the state refused Eric Harner as parental guardian even though his past actions and behavior were perfectly fine and should not have interfered with the custody decision.

Dye says, "Historically, the courts have found a compelling interest to interfere with the parent-child relationship if the parent is unfit or abuses the child, or the child is in danger or something like that."  He said that in this case, this has not happened and he finds it mind-boggling.

At this time, they are appealing the court's decision and arguing that the state should not deny custodial privileges to a fit parent without establishing a reason for denial, which Pennsylvania allegedly did. Dye says that his client is devastated and his last hope is the Supreme Court.

If you feel your father's rights were violated during a custody case, contact the Law Office of Michael R. Young and speak with a Riverside family law attorney.

In Florida, officers throughout the state were looking for a little girl who was missing.  Last week Friday, they reported that the girl was home sage with her mother, just a day after she had been taken by her father.

The judge presiding over the father's case said that Chance Barfield would not be allowed to bond out of jail as he stands accused of taking the 6 year old.

Police report that Barfield attacked his ex-girlfriend and then grabbed his daughter, taking her to Volusia County.  Following the incident, police said they had a list of warrants in Barfield's name for child abuse and domestic violence.  He is expected to charged with interfering with child custody, aggravated battery, trespassing and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

If you are having difficulties with child custody or visitation in Riverside, contact our law office and schedule a consultation with a Riverside family lawyer.

This week, a Houston man was placed under arrest and charged with interference with child custody after he took his 8 year old son from the Huntsville area without permission.

32 year old Todd Jackson was arrested by Houston police after it was discovered that he had taken his non-custodial son.  Last Monday, police received reports around 4:30 PM that an 8 year old child was missing from a residence located at the 200 block of Avenue M.

Detectives set in motion an investigation to find the missing person.  They received information that the child may have been taken by his father, who currently has limited visitation with his son.  

Family members managed to call the 8 year old boy on a cell phone.  The police officers were then able to find the boy by tracking the phone's signal to a Houston neighborhood.  Once police found the location, they said they were able to speak directly with Jackson and convince him to visit his mother's home in Houston.  After Jackson arrived at his mother's home, he was arrested and the child was returned to his mother.

Need assistance with a child custody or visitation matter?  Contact our law office and get immediate help from a Riverside family law attorney.

News sources are buzzing with reports that Elin Nordegren will soon file for divorce from her husband, pro golfer Tiger Woods.  According to multiple news reports, Elin originally wanted a $750 divorce settlement.  However, it is alleged that she has accepted a $100 million settlement.  The 30 year old will also receive monthly child support for her and Woods' two children.

Reports also indicate that Elin will get child custody and Tiger will have visitation.  TMZ says that the golfer must also refrain from introducing the children to women he is dating unless he has plans to marry. 

In return, Elin has allegedly agreed to a confidentiality clause which prevents her from doing any post-divorce interviews.  She cannot discuss the divorce or her relationship with Woods.  Reporters say that Elin held out on signing the confidentiality clause so that she could get an increased divorce settlement.

If you are going through a divorce in Riverside and would like help from a family law attorney, contact the Law Office of Michael R. Young to arrange a consultation with a Riverside divorce lawyer.

In Santa Monica, California, it is reported that a man was ordered to seek counseling if he wants to obtain child custody.  The father of twin daughters supposedly had a history of making racist and sexist comments. 

On Tuesday, the split appellate court upheld the order and said that the man's furious outbursts with both women and minorities were making it difficult for the court to reunite him with his daughters. 

Justice Paul Turner wrote that the father's ability, "will be enhanced if he understands ... that in a diverse culture such as in Los Angeles County, he cannot consistently insult women and all persons who are different from him."  Justice Sandy Kriegler agrees with Justice Turner. 

However, Justice Orville Armstrong Jr. did not agree and said that the juvenile court referee abused her discretion by saying the man must get counseling for his behavior.  Justice Armstrong wrote that while he found the man's comments to be "deplorable", he felt there was, "no evidence that father's bad temper or deplorable remarks created a risk of serious physical abuse to these children."

After evidence was presented that the father had shouted sexist and racist comments at social workers at his daughters' school, Los Angeles County Juvenile Court Referee Sherri Sobel ordered that he get counseling. 

If you are dealing with child custody challenges, now is the time to get a Riverside family lawyer involved.  Contact the Law Office of Michael R. Young today!

When can Child Custody Orders be Modified?
In the state of California, child custody orders may be modified at any time.  However, in order for a parent to seek modification to a court order, he or she must be able to prove that there has been a change in circumstance and the change is impacting the well-being of the child or children.

The following are changes in circumstance that can result in a child custody order being modified by the family courts:

-          A change in residence by one parent

-          Evidence that the child has been abuse by a parent

-          The child wanting decreased visitation with one parent

-          A shift in the child's school schedule

If you have additional questions about modifying a child custody order in Riverside, it is a wise idea to meet with a Riverside family law attorney at the Law Office of Michael R. Young.  Contact our firm today to set up an initial consultation.

According to TMZ, Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller recently signed a 43 page agreement.  The agreement details what will happen with the couple's assets if/when they divorce.

In the documents, both Mueller and Sheen agree that they will have joint child custody of their two children.  Mueller will have primary custody and Sheen will see his children on the weekends.

Child support is also addressed in the agreement.  Allegedly, Mueller will get $55,000 a month for child support payments.  The documents also specify that the child support for the couple's two children will not be, "less than the child support paid by Charlie to Denise Richards for Sam and Lola."  Additionally, the couple agreed that Brooke will waive her right to spousal support. 

She has agreed, "not to disclose to any media sources personal information relating to Charlie's sexual affairs or alleged drug usage."

If you are going through a divorce in Riverside or a related family law matter, now is the time to contact the Law Office of Michael Young and arrange to speak with a Riverside divorce attorney.

News sources say that Jesse James and his ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder, are struggling with family law issues.  The ex couple are supposedly fighting over their daughter, Sunny.  One allegation that has surfaced is that James plans to leave the state of California with his daughter, prompting Lindemulder to file papers with the court.

Lindemulder said that James had plans to flee the state with their daughter and that she would like temporary visitation rights.  In her paperwork, Lindmulder said James had plans to run off to the Lonestar State.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, James has not said anything about moving to Texas.  However, he has said that his ex-wife is not fit to raise their daughter because she is an adult film star.  He also said that Lindemulder is a "stripper, drug abuser and convicted felon on probation."  He is asking that the family court appoint a doctor to evaluate Lindemulder's stability. 

Last week Friday, a judge denied Lindemulder's request for temporary visitation of Sunny.  A formal hearing has been set for June 17^th.

If you need legal assistance with a visitation matter in Riverside, contact the Law Office of Michael R. Young to get help from a Riverside family lawyer.

According to news outlet, TMZ, Tiger Woods has added a child custody lawyer to his legal team.  The legal team was created after Woods discovered that he may face possible divorce proceedings.

The news source indicates that at this time, both Woods and his wife Elin are seeking joint child custody of their children.  However, Elin expressed interest in returning to her native country, Sweden.  With this new development, the couple is finding that they need to come to some sort of custody arrangement soon.

Right now, lawyers for each spouse are trying to negotiate a settlement prior to filing for divorce paperwork in California.  The couple has been plagued by scandal for several months now, which has caused them to try to expedite their family law matters as soon as possible.

Are you going through a divorce in Riverside, California?  If so, a Riverside divorce attorney from the Law Office of Michael Young can provide you with legal assistance.

Contact us today to discuss your family law case!

Jesse James’ alleged infidelities may cost him more than just his wife, Actress Sandra Bullock.

It’s speculated that James’ former partner, porn star Janine Lindemulder, is planning to sue James to try and regain custody of their daughter Sunny.

Last year a court ruling granted full custody rights to James. Lindemulder, who served six months in prison for a tax evasion conviction, believes the judge awarded custody to James because he felt James could provide a more stable environment for Sunny. Bullock and James had been raising Sunny together, but now that Bullock has reportedly left the family home following allegations that James cheated on her with tattoo model Michelle McGee, the stability of James’ home is in question.

A well-known TV personality is involved in a legal dispute…with his own children!

Montel Williams, best known for his daytime talk show “The Montel Williams Show”, is being asked to step up to the plate by his own children. Although Williams is current on his $18,700-a-month child support payments, his two kids say they want their dad to start taking a more active role in their lives or step out of the way. They said if Williams isn’t interested in taking a more active involvement in their lives then he should step aside and let their mother make all of their legal decisions.

That is not their only request. The kids, ages 16 and 15, want Williams to pay for an attorney to argue their case. But according Williams’ own attorney, he is currently in an “extremely perilous” financial situation.

Despite his recent successes, which includes hosting radio show, writing a best-selling memoir, and staring as an infomercial pitchman, Williams claims he cannot afford to pay the $7,500 in legal fees his kids are asking for their lawyer.

Meanwhile, Williams’ custody fight with his ex-wife, Grace Morley, rages on. Although Williams and Morley currently have joint custody, his children say they rarely see their father. His daughter, Wintergrace, says she has only seen her father four times in the last five years. Morley is now trying to gain sole physical and legal custody of the children, but Williams is fighting to hold on to his legal custody rights so he can continue making legal decisions.

If you are in need of experienced representation for some type of child support or child custody dispute, you can turn to a knowledgeable Riverside divorce attorney at the Law Office of Michael R. Young for help. To learn more about the services offered at the firm, please call (866) 902-5290 today!

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner wants to protect military men and women who are asked to put their lives on hold to fight for this county. His new bill, HR 4469, offers protection to deployed military members in regards to child custody.

As the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act stands now, it does little to protect deployed service members in child custody cases once they return home. Too often single parents in the military scheduled to deploy are asked to drop everything and quickly get their personal effects in order. When children are involved, temporary custody arrangements are made with the other parent while the service member is deployed overseas. The problem occurs when the military parent returns home from deployment, only to find their ex wont relinquish custody of the children.

Turner believes it’s unfair for one branch of the government to ask these parents to risk their lives and fight for their country, while at the same time another branch of the government punishes them for their service. It’s this injustice that prompted Turner to draft the legislation. Under the terms of his bill, the courts would be prohibited from using a deployment or the possibility of deployment against a military parent when determining the child’s best interest in a custody case. The bill also states that any temporary custody arrangements made while the military member is overseas are to be reversed once the parent returns home from deployment.

Turner’s message is clear: military parents should not lose custody of their children because of their service to their country. If you have found yourself fighting for custody of your children after a military deployment, please take a moment to contact a Riverside child custody lawyer at the Law Office of Michael R. Young. We can represent you during your custody hearings and aggressively fight to have your custody rights restored. Call (866) 902-5290 to schedule an appointment today!