Law Offices of JP Miller, Jr.

07/19/2025

2 cases this week, Tuesday and Thursday. Almost identical fact patterns: I rep Dad in each, DVTROs were issued against both Dads and both Moms but Dad was kicked out of each house and Moms in both cases used the leverage to keep the kid(s) away from the Dads.

Well, after a full morning Tuesday my guy in that case now has his full legal custody reinstated and about a 40% time share (from zero).

Thursday, another similar win where Dad now has alt weekends and a midweek with a follow up hearing to expand on this in a couple months. Both lawyers on the other side are from better known firms and whike they are decent attorneys they think they are very fancy. Both just couldn't believe they lost. If they were not so cocky and worked a little more collaboratively the hearings could have been avoided. They did not help their clients, that is for sure. But I am sure they did bill their clients for their wasted time.

Moral of the story as I have to tell clients, both genders, is you have to stay in the fight. The first shot (in these cases the DVTROs) can be overcome with the right facts and law. This week has proven that.

07/17/2024

I was in a "Move away" trial last week. Huge win. Absolutely huge. Long post ahead.

I rep Dad who moved with his young family to Fla. 2 years ago. Despite his then 12 yr old daughter wanting to go with him, and he had 50/50 custody, his ex wouldn't let her go and the Family Court Services counselor (name withheld but she's an idiot) failed to verify a key fact and held it as a reason to deny the move 2 years ago. At that time we didn't push it and simply let the girl stay and did "distanced visitation " (summers/holidays).

My client listened to me and was patient. This week the girl, now almost 15, was able to give a statement the court had to consider under the code. She went over the reasons she wanted to live with Dad and her half-siblings.

The court in a 24 page order made every finding in my client's favor and felt the girl's interview testimony to a new FCS counselor "leap off the page" with clarity as to her reasons. I also proved the prior FCS counselor didn't do her job and even the new one relied on the old report and although she repeated the same error, it was not evaluated in the same light. After her testimony I informed her of the mistake and she thanked me for doing the work and correcting it. It was nice that she was not defensive.

To be clear, Mom is not a bad person. But she has no one else and the court agreed with me that her withholding was not "child-centric" decision making. Mom's lawyer, a 30 (approx) year vet, is a good lawyer and I get along with her well enough. But I tried to avoid the trial and laid out what was going to happen in a pre-trial meeting to try and avoid the trial costs. She told me she was going to "win". As if I needed any bulletin board material for extra motivation. She doesn't know my competitive nature. LOL!

A very bright young lady is now going to start a new life in Florida with Dad and siblings. Oh, and the Mom, she should have settled because now we're filing the motion that will make her pay my client's fees for the week of trial plus changing child support.

05/23/2024

Just had a nice win in court. I rep Wife on this one. Long term marriage. Today her support went up over 50% and the increase was ordered retroactive to August '23. That means her ex now owes a ton in unpaid arrears. Incredibly happy for a very nice lady who was a stay at home mom for over 20 years.

01/07/2024

In 2023 I received the distinguished honor to be listed by Marquis "Who's Who" in America. It is not something I sought after but appreciate their vetting process across my professions as an attorney, sports agent and community leader. Here is the press release that was sent out should wish to take a moment. I am humbled by the award.

January 04, 2024 -- Along with being recognized an award-winning attorney, Mr. James Miller Jr. is an agent of change in his community

12/30/2023

I have been honored to be included as a member of Marquis "Who's Who" in America for 2023. It was quite a vetting process and to be included in their listing is the cap to a very good year professionally.

12/20/2023

Last court hearing of the year in the books with a "W" for my client. I rep Mom. Dad tried a move away (more like a "move back") motion trying to flip custody. We had won my client's move away 2 years ago and she has 80% timeshare. Something tells me it is Dad's new wife not liking him having to pay child support that was the real motivation for his motion. Regardless, the kids stay safe with mom.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays everyone. See you in 2024.

12/14/2023

Big win in court Tuesday afternoon protecting parent's rights and the safety of 2 little kids. 100% legal and physical custody for my client. The children will have both a safe and loving Christmas for sure this year.

11/21/2023

As an attorney I am far more of a "coach" to my clients than a "hand holder". That is just my personality and style. This note from my client last week, a few days after we won a significant spousal support and fees motion, is very much appreciated. Her ex is an attorney himself and hired a large family law firm to rep him. I'm sure he didn't think court was going to go the way it did. Good lawyer on the other side, but I did believe my client had the better position and the court agreed.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

11/10/2023

One of the absolutely most satisfying trial wins of my career came down yesterday. My trial from September and October had the judgment read in open court this afternoon. Case has been going on for 7 years. There have been something around 60 court appearances with the other side engaging 10 different lawyers at one point or another. Today he lost 50/50 custody and my client now has primary custody and choice of school.

Today he lost every single asset and debt contention. His demand for spousal support was rejected and then terminated. On top of that the court found him to have conducted a pattern of behavior that was sanctionable and ordered monetary sanctions in a significant amount. He'll never pay it, but at least the order is there.

I'm absolutely thrilled for my client who stayed in the fight

07/20/2023

I have been awarded the Expertise Awards again for Family/Divorce Law in East, South and North County. I recently also had the honor of being interviewed by Jason Gordon who is an expert in divorce lending from the Divorce Lending Association. Here is the link to the interview where we discuss multiple aspects of divorce:

Join Jason Gordon, CDLP®, with the Divorce Lending Association as he interviews Family Law Attorney, Jim Miller. Jim Miller is an award-winning Family Law at...

10/13/2022

Three years running I have been awarded as one of the best Family Law attorneys in San Diego. Thank you for your support. I know it's a popularity contest, but its' nice to be on top.

09/06/2022

Friends, voting is almost over. If you can cast a vote for me I would appreciate it. Thanks!