While California courts generally prefer that you and your co-parent agree on your own custody terms, this is not possible for all couples. Sometimes even if you give it your best effort, you may find yourself heading to custody court. Many parents wonder about how to...
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Child Custody
What should be addressed in my parenting plan?
If you are divorcing your child’s other parent, your child should be your top priority as you draft your parenting plan. Your parenting plan should cover several topics relating to child custody and parenting time. Here are a few things to include in your parenting...
Child custody types and what is right for you and your child
Child custody can look vastly different from one case to the next. This could be due to specific factors, the wants of each parent and the needs of the child. Whether it is through negotiation, mediation or litigation, it is important to establish a child custody...
Religion and child custody disputes
When the basis of a dispute is religion, one often thinks about regional, country and political issues around the globe. One does not often consider it being a focal point in a child custody dispute. While interfaith families are becoming more commonplace, this does...
What is visitation?
If you and your spouse divorce and have children together, you will need to address custody and visitation. The court may allow one parent to have physical custody, meaning the child lives with that parent, and give the other parent visitation rights. Visitation is...
Do I need permission to take my kid out of California?
When travel plans come up, you may wonder if you need the other parent’s permission to take your child with you. The answer is usually yes. Married and living with your spouse If you are married and living with your spouse (the other parent), then you do not need...
Modifying an out-of-state custody order in California
In a perfect world, custody orders would never need to be modified, but life is filled with unexpected events. While some changes are minor, major events might require a change to your custody order. For example, perhaps you relocated to California for a new job or to...
How are custody and child support handled in a legal separation?
In California, not every couple who is experiencing challenges in their relationship will immediately choose to move forward with a divorce. In some cases, they either prefer a legal separation or are required to have a legal separation based on their residency in the...
Determining the best interests of a child in California
As a parent going through a divorce or separation, you have preferences with regard to child custody. Some parents may prefer to have full physical and legal custody, while others may prefer joint custody. However, it is important to remember that while your...
Summer child custody and parenting plan issues
California parents might disagree on child custody and parenting time issues throughout the year. In some instances, these are simply logistical disputes and there is no animosity involved. In others, there is substantial discord. When the kids are off from school,...