Child Custody

If you stepped into the role of caretaker for a child that's a dependent of the court, you may have developed a bond with that child that transcends biological relationships. The courts will sometimes allow someone in this situation to be named a de facto parent. In...

In the second case based on the same event, the federal appellate court has affirmed that the county is not immune from liability after two social workers committed perjury, causing a California woman to lose custody of her two young daughters for six and a half...

Right now, a child in California has to be at least 14 years old before he or she can express an opinion in court about which parent should have primary custody. Lawmakers are saying that is far too long to have to wait, and a new bill filed by State Senator Connie...

In a case that seems to be the first of its kind, two frozen embryos have been named the plaintiff's in a custody suit against the actress whose eggs were used in their creation. The former fiance of the actress, whose sperm was also used in their creation, had...

When the sole custodial parent—usually the biological mother—of a young child dies, who gets custody of the child left behind? The answer to that question can throw the entire surviving family into conflict and cause everyone to end up in court, wrangling over...

Imagine you are a child and your parents are divorcing. You know that things are going to be different and maybe a little scary, but you don't know exactly what is going to happen. One day, you are told that you will suddenly be splitting your time between both of...

Many child custody cases are almost automatically contentious. Each parent's push to assert his or her parental rights results in explosive disputes if not out-and-out battles. Most California parents considering divorce are aware of these difficult child custody...

Even when it's necessary and for the best, divorce can still be hard on the kids. It's important to know how you should broach the subject with them to make this transition to a new way of living go as smoothly as possible. First of all, you and your ex want to appear...

A few women recently told their stories about what happened when they finally stepped up and gave their husbands an ultimatum. They told them how things had to change or they were going to divorce. One woman noted that this tactic could work to save a marriage, but...

Divorce has become a reality of modern life in California, and, sadly, in many cases, it is the children that are most traumatized. However, couples who can communicate about what is in the best interest of the child may limit the effect of the divorce on the child....