Child Custody

Holiday co-parenting tips

The holiday season is a time of joy, but for co-parents, it can also bring unique challenges. Successfully navigating this time requires careful planning and communication. Establish a clear schedule Did you know that 22% of children in the U.S. lived with their...

Preparing for Your Child Custody Case in California

Going through a child custody case can be a stressful and emotional process. It’s important to be prepared and informed to ensure the best outcome for you and your child. Here are five tips for preparing for your child custody case in California: 1. Understand California’s Custody Laws California has specific laws regarding child custody and visitation. It’s important to…

What Does the “Best Interests of the Child” Mean?

The law protects the interests of children in many ways, and one way is by setting standards for child custody arrangements. The standard in California is that the custody arrangement must be in the best interests of the child. This standard applies when: Parents agree to custody arrangements, and the court reviews the proposal to ensure it is in the…

Child Custody Over Summer Vacation

If you have a school-aged child and share custody with your ex, their summer vacation from school can be a complicated time. If both parents work and your child is young, you might need to make arrangements for childcare while you are at work. In addition, one parent might want to take your child on a vacation, and there can…

What is Legal Custody of a Child?

Child custody in California is divided into two categories: legal and physical custody. Physical custody refers to where a child will live, but what does legal custody mean? Put simply, legal custody is a parent’s right to make important decisions about their child’s well-being. This does not refer to everyday decisions like what to have for lunch. Instead, it involves…

Can Your Child Choose Where They Live?

Can Your Child Choose Where They Live? When you are facing a custody determination, your child might have opinions about where they want to live. Will the court listen to your child? How much does their opinion matter? The answer is that it depends on the situation. First, the court will always listen to the opinion of a 14-year-old child…

Can You Move With Your Child?

In a nutshell, yes, a custodial parent might be able to move with a child. There are some important requirements and limitations, however, as well as many things to consider. For example, the situation becomes more complicated if you are moving far away or if the other parent opposes the move. Communicating with Your Ex If you and your ex…

Child Custody Modifications

Yes, you can modify a California child custody agreement if circumstances dictate it. Even if both parents agree to the adjustment, a judge still needs to sign off on it to make it official. As the years pass, original custody agreements don’t always fit anymore, and a modification might be necessary. When Can You Modify a Child Custody Agreement in…

When Do You Need to Determine a Custody Arrangement?

There are many different scenarios in which two parents will need to determine how to divide child custody. While custody is often associated with divorce cases, it also arises in other situations. Divorce or Legal Separation When two parents are married and they decide to end the marriage, they will need to sort out custody issues before the court will…