Attorney Dossier · Los Angeles · November 2026
Five Los Angeles family law firms that take custody cases, checked against the State Bar, Google and their own sites.
Custody fights in Los Angeles changed on August 25, 2026, when Stanley Mosk began sending some contested cases to a counselor who reports to the judge. The firm you hire now has to prepare you for that session, not just the hearing.
1 of 5
firms here print a dollar figure for legal fees
6 months
the home state rule that decides where custody is filed
$0
court self-help and free family law representation for low-income parents
01
The scorecard: 6 checks, 5 firms
✓ meets the check ◐ partly or self-reported ✗ does not, or not published
Land Legal GroupParents in a high-conflict or DCFS-adjacent custody case who want a Westside office and a free first meeting
Office in the City of LA
✓Century CityBar record checked
✓Admitted 2009State Bar family law certification
✗Not on recordFee terms published
◐Free consult onlyGoogle rating checked
✓4.7 / 190 Berenji Divorce & Family Law GroupParents whose custody case sits inside a high-asset divorce and who want Farsi spoken by the lead attorney
Office in the City of LA
◐Downtown listing; HQ Beverly HillsBar record checked
✓Admitted 2001State Bar family law certification
✗Not on recordGoogle rating checked
✓4.9 / 71 Law Offices of Atousa Saei, APLCWest LA parents who want a State Bar certified family law attorney leading a small boutique, with Farsi and Spanish
Office in the City of LA
✓West LABar record checked
✓Admitted 2006State Bar family law certification
✓CertifiedGoogle rating checked
✓4.4 / 49 Charles M. Green, APLCCustody cases where child support turns on bonuses, equity or self-employment income and a CPA’s reading of it
Office in the City of LA
✓Wilshire CenterBar record checked
✓Admitted 1999Family law only
✗Also tax, bankruptcyState Bar family law certification
✓CertifiedFee terms published
◐Market range onlyGoogle rating checked
✓4.4 / 36 Kermisch & Paletz LLPSan Fernando Valley parents who want a Studio City firm with a free consultation and a team of associates
Office in the City of LA
✓Studio CityBar record checked
✓Admitted 2005, 2006Family law only
✗Also civil, probateState Bar family law certification
✗Not on recordFee terms published
◐Free consult onlyGoogle rating checked
✓4.2 / 48 02
Before you hire: what the numbers mean for a Los Angeles parent
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1 of 5: firms here print a dollar figure for legal fees
Charles M. Green, APLC publishes a range for the market, $3,000 to $20,000 or more for a divorce and $300 to $500 or more an hour in Los Angeles, which is its own estimate and not a rate card. Land Legal Group and Kermisch & Paletz advertise a free consultation. The court filing fee is usually $435 to $450.
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6 months: the home state rule that decides where custody is filed
A California court can make a first custody order when California is the child’s home state: the state where the child lived with a parent for six months in a row just before the case was filed. A family that moved here in the spring may have to file in the old state first.
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$0: court self-help and free family law representation for low-income parents
The Los Angeles Superior Court runs free self-help centers for parents filing without a lawyer, and a fee waiver covers court fees for those who qualify. The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law gives free help to low-income county residents through its new client line, 213-388-7515, by appointment.
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The 5 firm dossiers
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Land Legal Group
Parents in a high-conflict or DCFS-adjacent custody case who want a Westside office and a free first meeting
Why it made the list
Land Legal Group is a Los Angeles child custody attorney practice run from Suite 1850 at 1900 Avenue of the Stars in Century City, with a second office in Ventura County. Founder Joseph Land, admitted in December 2009, states his background includes defending parents in dependency court, which matters when a custody dispute brushes against a DCFS referral. The firm lists custody modification, high-conflict custody, move-away and relocation, paternity and grandparent visitation as separate practice pages. It advertises a free initial consultation, and its Google listing shows Saturday hours alongside weekday ones.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyJoseph Land, State Bar No. 266657, admitted December 1, 2009
- Licence and disciplineActive; no discipline on record
- Office1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1850, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (Century City)
- Phone310-552-3500
- Fee termsFree initial consultation; hourly rate and retainer not published
- PracticeFamily law only; custody, modification, move-away, paternity, dependency
- HoursMon to Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Google rating4.7 from 190 reviews
Your first-call script
QIf a DCFS referral is open or likely, how does Mr. Land’s dependency court background change the plan for my family court case?
QWhich of your five listed attorneys would handle my file day to day, and who appears at Stanley Mosk?
QDoes the free initial consultation cover a custody-only matter between parents who were never married?
From the reviews we read
+ High-conflict cases+ Team works the file together+ Reachable after hours~ Associates named, not only the founder
The five reviews we read describe high-conflict matters, a team where paralegals and several attorneys work the same file, and availability that one client says ran into nights and weekends. Two reviews name associates rather than the founder, which tells you the work is shared. We saw no negative review in the sample, which is small against 190 total.
Fit and watch-outA sensible fit for Westside parents with a contested or high-conflict case who want to meet in person on a weekday or Saturday. The trade-off: the firm publishes no hourly rate or retainer, and the State Bar records no family law certification for Joseph Land, so ask about both at the free meeting.
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Berenji Divorce & Family Law Group
Parents whose custody case sits inside a high-asset divorce and who want Farsi spoken by the lead attorney
Why it made the list
Berenji Divorce & Family Law Group is based in Beverly Hills, at 9465 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 333, which is the address on founder Hossein Berenji’s State Bar record, with listed offices in downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena. Its site leads with high-net-worth divorce and states the team has handled more than $2 billion in combined assets, its own figure. The State Bar lists Farsi for Mr. Berenji and Armenian and Spanish among staff. The site names eight attorneys, plus paralegals and a client relations team who run intake before a lawyer is booked.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyHossein Farzam Berenji, State Bar No. 217369, admitted December 4, 2001
- Licence and disciplineActive; no discipline on record
- Offices9465 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 333, Beverly Hills; listed offices at 550 S Hill St, Los Angeles and 251 S Lake Ave, Pasadena
- Phone310-271-6290 (site and State Bar); the Los Angeles Google listing shows a different number
- LanguagesFarsi (Mr. Berenji); Armenian and Spanish (staff)
- Track recordStates more than 100 years of combined experience and more than $2 billion in combined assets handled
- Fee termsNot published
- Google rating4.9 from 71 reviews (Los Angeles listing)
Your first-call script
QYour Los Angeles listing is at 550 S Hill St, but the State Bar address is Beverly Hills: where would I meet my lawyer?
QCan the attorney who handles my custody hearing work with me in Farsi, or only Mr. Berenji?
QYour site leads with high-asset divorce: how is a custody-only matter staffed and billed?
From the reviews we read
+ Fathers in custody cases+ Each step explained+ Prenup clarity~ Intake screen can end without a booking
The reviews we read on the Los Angeles listing come mostly from fathers in custody matters and prenup clients, and they stress that each step was explained. On the Beverly Hills listing, one prospective client describes answering detailed intake questions and then being told the firm was fully booked; another reviewer reads the same screening as selectiveness.
Fit and watch-outStrongest where custody and complex property are in the same case, and for Farsi-speaking parents. The trade-off: no fee terms are published, the downtown listing’s phone differs from the one on the site, and the intake screen means a call may not end in a booked consultation.
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Law Offices of Atousa Saei, APLC
West LA parents who want a State Bar certified family law attorney leading a small boutique, with Farsi and Spanish
Why it made the list
The Law Offices of Atousa Saei is a boutique on the ninth floor of 12424 Wilshire Blvd in West Los Angeles. The State Bar lists a certified legal specialty in family law for Atousa Saei, admitted in June 2006, and the firm’s site shows a second certified attorney, Barbara Tyson. The State Bar also lists Farsi, Persian and Spanish for Ms. Saei and her staff. The site says the firm leans toward settlement conferences, mediation and arbitration before trial, and its Google listing shows Saturday hours. It names four attorneys in total.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyAtousa Saei, State Bar No. 242438, admitted June 1, 2006
- Licence and disciplineActive; no discipline on record
- CertificationCertified legal specialty: family law (State Bar of California)
- Office12424 Wilshire Blvd, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Phone310-855-3386
- LanguagesFarsi, Persian and Spanish
- Fee termsNot published
- Google rating4.4 from 49 reviews
Your first-call script
QWill Ms. Saei personally appear at my custody hearing, or one of the other attorneys?
QYour site lists international family law: how would you handle a parent who may take the child abroad?
QCan our first meeting be on a Saturday, as your Google listing suggests?
From the reviews we read
+ Clear communication+ Amicable, child-first result~ One review from a referrer, not a client
The reviews we read return to clear communication and a push for an amicable result that keeps the child’s interests in front. One five-star review is from a person who referred a friend rather than a client, which is worth discounting. We saw no negative review in the five we read.
Fit and watch-outA close fit for Westside parents who want a certified family law attorney in a small office with Farsi or Spanish. The trade-off: no fee terms are published, and a four-attorney boutique has less capacity for a fast emergency filing than a larger team, so ask about turnaround.
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Charles M. Green, APLC
Custody cases where child support turns on bonuses, equity or self-employment income and a CPA’s reading of it
Why it made the list
Charles M. Green, APLC works from Suite 700 at 3699 Wilshire Blvd in Wilshire Center. Charles Mark Green, admitted in June 1999, holds the State Bar family law certification and states he is also a licensed CPA, which the firm uses on child support when income comes from bonuses, RSUs or a business. The State Bar lists Korean and Spanish among staff, and the site has a Spanish section. It is the only firm here that prints a cost range, which it frames as the Los Angeles market rather than its own rates. The firm also handles tax disputes, bankruptcy and wills.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyCharles Mark Green, State Bar No. 200913, admitted June 4, 1999
- Licence and disciplineActive; no discipline on record
- CertificationCertified legal specialty: family law (State Bar of California)
- CPAStates he is a licensed CPA
- Office3699 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90010
- Phone213-387-4508
- Fee termsPublishes a market range: $3,000 to $20,000 or more per divorce, $300 to $500 or more an hour in LA; own rate not stated
- Google rating4.4 from 36 reviews
Your first-call script
QHow would your CPA background change the child support side of my case, and is that analysis billed separately?
QYour site quotes $300 to $500 or more an hour as the LA range: where does your own rate sit, and what is the retainer?
QCan my calls and documents be handled in Spanish or Korean from start to finish?
From the reviews we read
+ Negotiation credited+ Plain explanations+ Custody and money handled together~ 36 reviews, a small base
The reviews we read credit Mr. Green’s negotiating and his plain explanations, and they name associate Diana Olanipekun and a staff member by name. One working parent describes help with both the custody schedule and the money side of the case. No negative review appeared in the sample.
Fit and watch-outUseful where the custody schedule and the support number are tied to complicated income. The trade-off: the practice is not family law only, and its Google listing shows 24-hour hours while the site says weekdays 9 to 6, so confirm when a person will answer.
05
Kermisch & Paletz LLP
San Fernando Valley parents who want a Studio City firm with a free consultation and a team of associates
Why it made the list
Kermisch & Paletz is a Studio City firm at 12711 Ventura Blvd, Suite 200, run by William Kermisch and Daniel Paletz, both Loyola Law School graduates admitted in 2005 and 2006. Its site names ten lawyers and advertises a free consultation. Family law sits beside civil litigation, malpractice, probate and estate planning, so guardianship and custody questions can stay in one office. The State Bar lists Spanish among Mr. Paletz’s staff. For a Valley family the office is closer to home than any other firm on this page.
Proof file
- Lead attorneysDaniel Josef Paletz, State Bar No. 243846, admitted August 4, 2006; William Thad Kermisch, No. 238567, admitted December 1, 2005
- Licence and disciplineBoth active; no discipline on record
- Office12711 Ventura Blvd, Suite 200, Studio City, CA 91604
- Phone818-478-1043
- Fee termsFree consultation; rates not published
- PracticeFamily law plus civil litigation, malpractice, employment, probate and estate planning
- HoursMon to Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Google rating4.2 from 48 reviews
Your first-call script
QWhat share of Mr. Paletz’s caseload is family law, given the firm’s civil and malpractice work?
QWould my custody hearings likely be at Van Nuys or Stanley Mosk, and how is travel billed?
QDoes the free consultation include a review of the custody order I already have?
From the reviews we read
+ Candid about case merit+ Organized next steps+ Court advocacy by a partner~ Some reviews outside custody
The reviews we read describe candor about whether a case is worth pursuing, organized next-step lists from associates, and Mr. Paletz taking the case into court. One review covers a guardianship rather than custody, and one is written by a stepparent. No negative review appeared in the five we read.
Fit and watch-outA practical choice for Valley parents who want a free first meeting and a deep bench of associates. The trade-off: the firm is not family law only, neither named partner holds the State Bar family law certification, and its 4.2 rating is the lowest in this group.
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Six things to settle before you sign with a custody lawyer
A written fee agreement. California requires a written fee contract when fees are likely to pass $1,000, which covers nearly every contested custody case. It should state the hourly rate, the retainer and how unearned money is refunded.
The lawyer who appears. Get the name of the attorney who will attend mediation and hearings, and what happens if that person is unavailable on a court date.
A home state check. Ask the lawyer to confirm in writing that Los Angeles is the right place to file. If the child has lived in California less than six months, the case may belong in another state.
A plan for mediation and CCRC. Contested custody goes to Family Court Services first. For RFOs filed at Stanley Mosk since August 25, 2026, a failed mediation leads to a second session whose counselor reports to the judge at least 10 days before the hearing.
Objection deadlines on the calendar. Under the pilot, written objections to the counselor’s report must be served at least five days before the hearing or they are waived. Ask who tracks that date.
Costs outside the fee. Ask about likely third-party costs: a custody evaluation, minor’s counsel, a forensic accountant for support, or private mediation, and who pays each.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a child custody lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
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Of the five firms here, only Charles M. Green, APLC prints a figure: it describes the Los Angeles market as $300 to $500 or more an hour and $3,000 to $20,000 or more for a divorce. Land Legal Group and Kermisch & Paletz advertise a free consultation. The court filing fee is usually $435 to $450, and a fee waiver is available.
Is mediation required in a Los Angeles custody case?
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Yes, when custody or visitation is contested. Parents first meet a Family Court Services mediator. Since August 25, 2026, initial custody RFOs in divorce cases filed at Stanley Mosk that do not settle go to a second session, and that counselor gives the judge a written recommendation.
Can I file for custody in Los Angeles if we just moved here?
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Usually only after California becomes the child’s home state, meaning the child has lived here with a parent for six months in a row before filing. There are exceptions for emergencies, so talk to a lawyer before filing.
Which of these firms have a lawyer certified in family law by the State Bar?
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The State Bar records a certified legal specialty in family law for Atousa Saei and for Charles M. Green. It does not record one for the lead attorneys at Land Legal Group, Berenji Divorce & Family Law Group or Kermisch & Paletz.
Which firms work in languages other than English?
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According to the State Bar, Hossein Berenji speaks Farsi with Armenian and Spanish among staff, Atousa Saei’s office works in Farsi, Persian and Spanish, Charles M. Green’s staff speak Korean and Spanish, and Daniel Paletz’s staff speak Spanish.
Where can I get free help with a custody case in Los Angeles?
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The Los Angeles Superior Court’s self-help centers help parents file on their own, and the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law offers free help to low-income county residents by appointment at 213-388-7515.
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Method
How we checked these firms+
This is a shortlist of five Los Angeles firms that take child custody cases, not a ranking. For each firm we read its own website for offices, practice areas, fee terms and team, looked up the lead attorneys on the State Bar of California licensee search for bar number, admission date, licence status, discipline, certification and languages, and checked the Google Business Profile for address, phone, hours and review count. We read the most recent review text on each profile ourselves.
Where a firm publishes a result, a figure or a credential the State Bar does not record, we label it as the firm’s own statement. Award badges are left out because California’s SB 37 now restricts award references in lawyer advertising. Court rules come from the Family Code and from the Los Angeles Superior Court’s own notices.
General information for parents choosing a family law attorney, not legal advice. Court rules and fees change; confirm with the court or a lawyer before relying on them.