Thomas Chapin

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Phone: 951-339-3826
Office: 2280 Wardlow Circle, Corona, CA 92878

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Thomas Chapin is a Senior Trial Attorney at Reel Fathers Rights in Corona, California, where his practice focuses on representing men and fathers in California Family Courts. Admitted to the State Bar of California in 2002, he has practiced law in California since then and represents fathers in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence restraining order matters, and he brings extensive tribal court experience. He was selected to California Super Lawyers in 2027.

About Thomas Chapin

Thomas Chapin represents fathers in the Inland Empire in divorce, property division, child custody, child support, and domestic violence restraining order cases. Restraining order cases move quickly. A temporary order can remove a father from his home and limit contact with his children before a full hearing takes place. Thomas handles these cases for fathers who are requesting an order and for fathers who are responding to one, and he prepares each client for the evidence and testimony the court will hear. He also handles family law matters that come before tribal courts, including paternity, dissolution, dependency, and domestic violence cases.

Thomas was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2002. He earned his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from California State University, Northridge. Before joining Reel Fathers Rights, he served as lead counsel in the Humboldt County Counsel’s office. There he handled civil litigation in federal and state courts for county agencies, including the Public Guardian, Child Welfare Services, and Environmental Health. His county work included guardianships, conservatorships, receiverships, dependency proceedings, writs of habeas corpus, Riese hearings, and complex administrative proceedings. That work involved the same agencies and procedures that can come into play in family court when a child’s safety is at issue.

Thomas also has extensive experience litigating in tribal courts throughout California and the West Coast, including significant work involving the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. These cases can raise questions of tribal jurisdiction, tribal sovereign immunity, and the Indian Child Welfare Act, a federal law that sets special rules for certain child custody proceedings involving Native American children. Thomas explains how these rules may affect a father’s case and what to expect at each stage. Thomas works from the Corona headquarters, one of eleven Reel Fathers Rights offices throughout California.

Representative Matters

Thomas Chapin has represented clients in the following types of matters:

• Domestic violence restraining order hearings, for both requesting and responding parties
• Child custody and visitation disputes
• Divorce and child support proceedings
• Tribal court matters involving jurisdiction, dependency, paternity, dissolution, and domestic violence
• Cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act, tribal membership determinations, and tribal enrollment disputes
• Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
• Dependency proceedings on behalf of a county child welfare agency
• Writs of habeas corpus and Riese hearings
• Community property disputes over real property bought with a mix of separate and community funds
• Divorce for the owner of a closely held company, including its value and the income available for support

Every family law matter is decided on its own facts. Past matters do not guarantee a similar outcome in any other case.

Courts Where Thomas Chapin Appears

Thomas Chapin represents fathers in the family courts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Thomas serves Inland Empire fathers from the Reel Fathers Rights Corona headquarters and represents fathers in Riverside and throughout the Inland Empire in custody, support, divorce, and restraining order matters.

In Riverside County, family law cases are heard at the Riverside Family Law Courthouse, 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501; the Menifee Justice Center, 27401 Menifee Center Drive, Menifee, CA 92584; and the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

In San Bernardino County, family law cases are heard at the San Bernardino Historic Courthouse, 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415; the Barstow Courthouse, 235 East Mountain View Street, Barstow, CA 92311; and the Joshua Tree Courthouse, 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

Published Decisions

In re Marriage of Mohler (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 788, trial counsel for the appellant

Frequently Asked Questions About Thomas Chapin

What types of cases does Thomas Chapin handle?

Thomas Chapin practices family law at Reel Fathers Rights, representing men and fathers in divorce, child custody, child support, property division, and domestic violence restraining order cases. He also handles family law matters in tribal courts. His background includes federal civil litigation, county government work, and criminal defense.

Is Thomas Chapin licensed to practice in California?

Yes. Thomas Chapin has been licensed by the State Bar of California since 2002 and has practiced law in California since then, Bar No. 221741. He has also been admitted in the District of Columbia since 2004, Iowa since 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals since 2006, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals since 2023, and in federal district and tribal courts, listed below. He earned his J.D. from Chapman University School of Law in 2002.

Which courts does Thomas Chapin appear in?

Thomas Chapin appears in family court in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Riverside County family law cases are heard at the Riverside Family Law Courthouse in Riverside, the Menifee Justice Center in Menifee, and the Larson Justice Center in Indio. San Bernardino County family law cases are heard at the San Bernardino Historic Courthouse in San Bernardino, the Barstow Courthouse in Barstow, and the Joshua Tree Courthouse in Joshua Tree.

Does Thomas Chapin handle domestic violence restraining orders?

Yes. Thomas Chapin represents fathers who are requesting or responding to domestic violence restraining orders. These cases move quickly, so he prepares each client for the hearing and the evidence the court will consider.

Is Thomas Chapin a Super Lawyer?

Yes. Thomas Chapin was selected to California Super Lawyers in 2027, his first selection. Super Lawyers selects attorneys through peer nominations and independent research.

Does Thomas Chapin offer free consultations?

Yes. Reel Fathers Rights offers a free case evaluation for fathers facing divorce, custody, support, or restraining order matters. Call 951-339-3826 or request a case evaluation online.

Contact Thomas Chapin

Thomas Chapin works out of the Reel Fathers Rights Corona headquarters, 2280 Wardlow Circle, Corona, CA 92878. Call 951-339-3826 or request a free case evaluation online.