Law Office of Mark L. Tseselsky, APC

Law Office of Mark L. Tseselsky, APC Family Law • Divorce • Juvenile Dependency
Los Angeles & Ventura County We are passionate about your rights. We focus on Family Law and Juvenile Dependency.

We listen to your needs and help you navigate the legal world if you are in a custody battle with another parent, relative or Child Protective Services. We Speak Russian and Armenian. Мы говорим по-русски! Մենք խոսում ենք հայերեն։

I have just been served divorce papers, what’s next?PART 3. 3. Long-Term Concerns (What Comes Last)You do not need to re...
09/02/2026

I have just been served divorce papers, what’s next?
PART 3.

3. Long-Term Concerns (What Comes Last)

You do not need to resolve everything immediately. The final piece of your divorce is the division of assets and debts. This area always comes last and will be officially resolved down the road at the time of a final trial or a stipulation (agreement). Often times the key to a speedy resolution of concerns is to get the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (PDOD) done early! You cannot get divorced without PDOD because spouses are fiduciaries to each other!

Summary of What To Do Next:

Your immediate next step is to prepare for the upcoming decisions regarding your children and temporary financial support. If you are facing complex issues like abuse, social workers are getting involved in your family’s life, or if you want to know how to get custody in California, it is highly recommended to search for a family law attorney near me or a child custody lawyer Los Angeles to ensure you do not miss critical deadlines after being served.

Our office is offering a FREE 15-minute consultation.
Give us a call Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm (310) 853-2907
www.juveniledependencyattorney.com

I have just been served divorce papers, what’s next?PART 2.2. Emergency Factors (If Applicable)If your divorce involves ...
09/02/2026

I have just been served divorce papers, what’s next?
PART 2.

2. Emergency Factors (If Applicable)

If your divorce involves safety or stability concerns, your immediate next steps will change drastically:

· Domestic Violence: If domestic violence is involved, you can immediately ask for a domestic violence restraining order. A domestic violence restraining order attorney or dvro attorney can help you file for a temporary restraining order ex parte (as an

emergency without prior notice to the other side). This can force the abuser to move out immediately and strip them of custody. A permanent hearing must then be set within 21 days.

· Substance Abuse or Mental Health Issues: If your spouse has these issues, it is harder to prove. You must immediately go to court and file a request for orders. An emergency custody lawyer Los Angeles can guide you through gathering the necessary evidence for court.

· Social workers may get involved: Mark Tseselsky does both family law and juvenile dependency law so we can help you if your family is being investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS aka DCFS in LA County)

I have just been served divorce papers, what’s next?PART 1.If you have just been served with divorce papers, what’s next...
09/02/2026

I have just been served divorce papers, what’s next?
PART 1.

If you have just been served with divorce papers, what’s next depends heavily on your specific family situation. If you have a child, there are three key areas you will need to address. However, this process is divided into immediate needs and long-term resolutions.

Here is what you need to focus on next, broken down by the timeline of your case:

1. Immediate Concerns (What You Need Help With Right Away)

When the process gets going, you will need to handle immediate issues regarding your children and financial survival. If you are unsure of how to navigate these initial steps, consulting with a family law attorney or a divorce attorney can help you protect your rights.

· Custody and Visitation: You will need to address two types of custody:

o Legal Custody: Deciding who makes important decisions about the child (whether it will be shared jointly, given to only one parent, or shared with one parent having tie-breaking authority). If you need to secure decision-making rights, a qualified child custody attorney can assist you.

o Physical Custody: Determining how much time the child spends with each parent. The judge will look at the status quo and continuity for the children to make this choice. Parenting time is connected with support.

· Support: You will need to address financial support, which is typically calculated using a specialized computer program:

o Child Support: This is determined primarily by how much money each spouse makes (or is capable of making) and the percentage of parenting time each parent has. Because parenting time drastically impacts these figures, parents often fight over parenting time.

o Temporary Spousal Support: Calculated at the same time as child support using the same software program. But keep in mind that judges have a great deal of discretion and there are multiple factors determining spousal support.

08/07/2026

Happy National Paralegal Day! Learn more about the history and importance of the paralegal profession: https://bit.ly/3RPlGmm

Grab your walking shoes and coffee and meet us for a morning walk along the beautiful Ventura Beach!Date: Sunday, August...
08/07/2026

Grab your walking shoes and coffee and meet us for a morning walk along the beautiful Ventura Beach!

Date: Sunday, August 9
Time: 9 am
Location: Ventura Beach Boardwalk, Downtown Ventura
Parking Address: 342 S California St, Downtown Ventura, CA
Meeting at the coffee kiosk on the boardwalk.

Description: Join us for an easy walk on the Ventura Beach boardwalk. We are going to meet next to the coffee kiosk on the boardwalk outside the parking structure (between Aloha Steak house and the Crowne Plaza Hotel).

Please RSVP by August 5, 2026, so we know to wait for anyone showing up a little late.

Family, Friends, and Legal Field services are welcome.

Has a Social Worker knocked on your door? If a social worker knocks at your door, it is typically because a referral (in...
08/04/2026

Has a Social Worker knocked on your door?

If a social worker knocks at your door, it is typically because a referral (investigation) has been generated after a mandated reporter—such as a teacher, hospital staff, or therapist—reported a potential risk of harm to a child.

Here is how you should understand and prepare for the situation:

Understand the Process
• The Social Worker's Role: The emergency social worker’s job is to decide whether to close the investigation or promote it to a court case. They use a specific checklist to rate the seriousness of the risk.

• The Interview Structure: Interviews are divided into two parts:
1. Allegations: Questions regarding the specific reports made against you.
2. Social History: A section designed to gather background information. The social workers present it as an innocent fact-gathering. In reality, it is a "fishing expedition" used to help social workers identify additional areas to investigate and to gather evidence to be used in court.

• Possible Outcomes: There are three results of a referral:
o Unfounded: The allegations are without a factual basis, i.e. Nothing happened
o Inconclusive: There is some evidence, but not enough to take further action.
o Substantiated: The social worker will likely recommend a court case.

How to Prepare
• Preparation is Essential: You should prepare for the interview to understand the possible outcomes and how the social worker will make their decisions.
• Deciding on Legal Representation: While preparation is "absolutely" necessary, having a lawyer present during the interview is not always an "automatic yes". In some cases, the presence of a lawyer may create a negative perception that you have something to hide.
• Seek Fact-Specific Advice: Your best course of action—including what to say and whether to agree to certain requests—will depend on the specific facts of your case.

Give my office a call for a FREE 15-minute consultation or pay for a one-hour consultation and I will walk you through a DCFS checklist, share a sample of social history questions, explain what factors go into making CPS decision to open a case and what is likely to happen in Juvenile Dependency Court.

Give us a call Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm (310) 853-2907

www.juveniledependencyattorney.com

07/28/2026

Some moments in a legal career carry more weight than others. If you're a CA law student or State Bar applicant feeling the pressure right now, the State Bar's Lawyer Assistance Program offers free, confidential support—short-term counseling, peer support groups, and more: https://bit.ly/3QtrZve

07/28/2026

Public Notice: Family Law Judicial Assignment Change at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse

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22148 Sherman Way # 206
Los Angeles, CA
91311

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