Child Custody & Visitation

Riverside Child Custody Attorneys

Issues relating to child custody and visitation are among the most contentious and emotionally charged concerns in divorce and paternity cases. Child custody arrangements also have financial consequences because they affect child support determinations.

Child custody lawyer Heather Cullen and the legal staff at the Law Office of Heather M. Cullen have extensive experience helping clients resolve custody disputes. We work with our clients to achieve child custody and visitation orders that reflect our client's position while maintaining the best interest of the child.

At our Riverside, California, law firm, we educate clients about the rights and options available under California custody laws. We will also assist with difficult custody disputes involving parental relocation requests. There are several options for child custody arrangements including:

• Sole legal and/or physical custody of his/her child.
• Joint legal custody
• Joint legal custody with shared parenting time

To determine which one will work for you and your children, contact the Law Office of Heather M. Cullen. If you have questions about custody, it is important to get them resolved quickly.

Child Custody is About the Best Interests of the Child.

In California, mediation is mandatory when there is a dispute over child custody or visitation determinations. The goal of mediation is to protect children from bitter litigation. Our role is to prepare our clients for mediation in order to represent their own interests and those of their children effectively.

In highly litigated custody cases when the child is old enough to have his or her wishes in the matter taken into account, we will assist in allowing the child to be heard. We usually use the assistance of a mediator who can voice the child's wishes to the court. We try to minimize disruption and stress to the children involved.

Guidance Throughout the Child Custody Determination Process

In determining legal custody and physical custody, courts may require an expert to assist in evaluating the best interests of a child. During an evaluation, the court's expert will investigate your family's circumstances to see what type of custody arrangement would suit your family. We will guide you through the investigation and expert interview process to reduce your stress.

We offer fair and effective representation designed to serve the best interests of children and to protect our clients. If you are concerned about your children's well-being because of a custody or visitation or parenting time dispute, we invite you to contact our Riverside law firm today.