Child Custody

Your children are your priority; their future is everything.  

The court will place the lives of parents under a microscope when trying to determine in whose custody the child or children involved will best thrive. Never have the stakes been so high; the impact of losing (or maintaining) custody of your child will forever affect your relationship with your child, not to mention your child’s future and wellbeing. Our seasoned Family Law Attorney will advocate for your child, your rights, and your relationship.

The Process

Determining custody is a grueling, often highly emotional process. It is important to stay calm, keep good counsel, and remember that the court is attempting to determine what will be best for your child. We have guided many families through this process. Before the court makes a custody ruling, they will examine the following: 

• Parents’ living situations

• Any criminal history, substance abuse, or history of domestic violence

• The child’s age

• The child’s ties to their current home, school, and community

• The parents’ ability to care for the child

• The child’s health and wellbeing

These are just a few aspects the court will scrutinize before making a custody ruling. 

Two types of Child Custody

Child custody can be broken into two separate categories in California: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody allows the granted parent the ability to make important decisions for their child, while physical custody determines where the child will live. If physical custody is not broken into two equal parts, then the person with less custody is granted “visitation.” If visitation is determined to be harmful to the child, then that right can be revoked.