The phrase used consistently when dealing with the question of how California courts handle the matter of child custody is "best interest of the child." Those five little words may seem to be rather straightforward. But what can constitute best interest is really hard to define sometimes. And the way we commonly define words isn't always the way the legal system does.
What does 'best interest of the child' mean?
Assuming parent duties may require eating the whole enchilada
It is not unusual for a person in California to become a stepparent without going through the usual process of legally adopting the children of a spouse's previous relationship. A lot of times, it's a role that is just taken on by virtue of the demands of the new family structure and the fact that the couple is now married.
