Child Custody & Visitation

Sacramento Child Custody Attorney

Fighting for your relationship with your children in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties. Attorney Marco Sarkovich personally prepares every custody case and stands beside you in court.

Call (916) 545-5036 — Free Consult Send Us a Message
5+
Years of Practice
98%
Client Satisfaction
24/7
Available
FREE
Qualifying Consultations
Why This Case Matters

Your Children Deserve a Fierce Advocate

Child custody disputes are among the most emotionally charged legal proceedings a parent can face. Every decision made in Sacramento Superior Court — or at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse — will shape your child's daily life and your relationship with them for years to come.

Attorney Marco Sarkovich built the Restraining Order & Custody Law Office with one purpose: to give Sacramento families access to skilled, tenacious legal representation when they need it most. Whether you are establishing custody for the first time, defending against an unfair modification, or protecting your children from an unsafe situation, this firm fights to put your children first.

Free consultations are available for qualifying child custody cases. Call (916) 545-5036 any time — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We serve clients throughout Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties.

What We Handle

Child Custody Services in Sacramento

ROC Family Law handles the full range of child custody matters in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties — from initial orders to emergency modifications.

👥

Contested Custody

When parents cannot agree, an attorney is essential. Mr. Sarkovich prepares your case for Sacramento Superior Court, presenting evidence and arguments that align with the best interests of your child.

📋

Parenting Plans

California courts require a detailed parenting plan in all custody cases. We draft plans that protect your parental rights, address holidays and vacations, and give courts clear terms to enforce.

Emergency Custody Orders

If your child is in immediate danger, we can file an emergency ex parte custody order the same day. Courts in Sacramento County can act immediately when a child's safety is at risk.

🔄

Custody Modifications

Life circumstances change. We file modification requests when there has been a significant change — relocation, new domestic violence, substance abuse, or a major shift in the child's needs.

🔒

Domestic Violence & Custody

Under Family Code Section 3044, documented domestic violence creates a legal presumption against custody for the offending parent. We know how to use this law effectively to protect your children.

Paternity & Unmarried Parents

Unmarried fathers must establish legal paternity before asserting custody rights. We help establish parentage and ensure both parents have a clear, enforceable legal standing in Sacramento courts.

California Law

How Sacramento Courts Decide Custody

Every custody determination in California is guided by the best interests of the child standard under Family Code Section 3011. Understanding what Sacramento judges actually look for is the first step to building a strong case.

What Judges Evaluate

Sacramento Superior Court judges consider: the health, safety, and welfare of the child; any history of domestic violence or substance abuse by either parent; each parent's level of active involvement in the child's life; the child's ties to home, school, and community; and — for children 14 and older — the child's own preference under Family Code Section 3042.

Legal Custody vs. Physical Custody

Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, and religion. California courts strongly prefer joint legal custody so both parents remain involved. Physical custody determines where the child lives day to day. Joint physical custody does not require a strict 50/50 split — it is tailored to what works best for the child.

The Domestic Violence Presumption

Under Family Code Section 3044, if a parent has been found to have committed domestic violence within the past five years, there is a legal presumption that awarding that parent custody is detrimental to the child. Courts may order supervised visitation only, or deny custody entirely. Attorney Sarkovich handles both sides of these cases — protecting victims of domestic violence and ensuring the presumption is properly applied in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo county courts.

Sacramento County Courthouses

Most custody matters in Sacramento are heard at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento. Attorney Sarkovich appears regularly in this courthouse and is familiar with its judges, local rules, and procedures — an advantage that matters when your case goes to hearing. Clients located in Yolo County are typically served through Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland, CA.

The Process

What to Expect When You Hire Us

01

Free Confidential Consultation

Your case begins with a thorough consultation over Zoom or phone — available 24/7. Mr. Sarkovich personally reviews your situation, explains your legal options, and outlines a realistic strategy. No obligation. Qualifying cases receive this at no cost.

02

Case Strategy & Filing

Every case this firm accepts receives full personal preparation. Mr. Sarkovich personally drafts your petition, parenting plan, and supporting declarations. Every detail is reviewed before filing at Sacramento Superior Court.

03

Negotiation & Mediation

Many Sacramento custody cases resolve through Family Court Services (FCS) mediation before a hearing. Mr. Sarkovich prepares you thoroughly for mediation, ensuring your goals and your child's needs are clearly articulated.

04

Court Hearing & Trial

If mediation does not produce an agreement, Mr. Sarkovich stands beside you at every hearing at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse — prepared, assertive, and fighting for the outcome your children deserve.

Ready to Protect Your Parental Rights?

Free consultations for qualifying child custody cases. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — because custody emergencies don't wait for business hours.

Call (916) 545-5036 Now Send Us a Message
Common Questions

Child Custody FAQ — Sacramento

The questions parents ask us most often. If yours isn't answered here, call us — we're available 24/7 at (916) 545-5036.

Sacramento judges apply California's "best interests of the child" standard under Family Code Section 3011. They evaluate the child's health and safety, each parent's involvement, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse, and the child's ties to home, school, and community. There is no automatic preference for mothers over fathers or vice versa.
Yes. California courts can issue emergency ex parte custody orders the same day when a child faces immediate risk of harm. Attorney Marco Sarkovich has experience filing emergency custody motions at Sacramento Superior Court and the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. Call us immediately if your child's safety is at risk.
An uncontested custody matter where parents agree on a parenting plan can resolve in 4 to 8 weeks. Contested custody cases requiring a trial typically take 6 to 18 months in Sacramento County Superior Court, depending on the court's caseload and the complexity of the dispute. Cases involving domestic violence findings often move faster due to the urgency involved.
Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where the child lives day to day. California courts strongly prefer joint legal custody so both parents remain involved in major decisions. Physical custody arrangements are tailored to the child's best interests and do not require a strict 50/50 time split.
Yes, significantly. Under California Family Code Section 3044, there is a legal presumption that awarding custody to a parent who committed domestic violence in the past 5 years is detrimental to the child. Courts may order supervised visitation only, require a batterer's intervention program, or deny custody entirely. Attorney Sarkovich handles both protecting domestic violence victims in custody proceedings and ensuring this presumption is properly applied.
Yes. California courts can modify custody orders when there has been a significant change in circumstances — such as one parent relocating, a new domestic violence incident, a substance abuse problem developing, or a substantial change in the child's needs. Emergency modifications can be granted the same day if a child faces immediate danger. A skilled attorney can assess whether your situation qualifies and file the right motion quickly.
Get in Touch

Request Your Free Consultation

Tell us about your custody situation. Attorney Marco Sarkovich personally reviews every inquiry and responds promptly. All communications are strictly confidential.