Moreno Valley Child Custody Lawyer

Moreno Valley Child Custody Attorney

The most challenging types of family law cases often involve navigating child custody and visitation. Whether you need to resolve a custody battle as an unmarried parent or are currently going through the divorce process, putting the well-being of your child first while ensuring your parental rights are protected is crucial. A Moreno Valley child custody lawyer from the Edgar & Dow can support you during this challenging time.

At the Edgar & Dow, our empathetic team of family lawyers understands the specific challenges that can come with resolving child custody decisions. We employ a client-centered approach, working closely with you to understand your unique family dynamics to achieve a resolution that balances the needs of your family with the interests of your child.

Child Custody in California: What You Need to Know

In California, child custody is separated into legal and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the power of a parent to make decisions regarding key issues in a child’s life, ranging from their religion, education preferences, healthcare choices, and more. Physical custody, on the other hand, allows a parent to determine where a child will be living and makes a parent responsible for taking care of the child on a daily basis.

Both legal and physical custody can either be joint (shared by both parents) or sole (restricted to one parent). Whether a California court will award joint or sole custody is dependent on factors such as the unique needs of the child and the ability of the parents to share responsibilities with one another. An experienced child custody lawyer in Moreno Valley can help you fight for an arrangement that protects your parental rights and prioritizes your child’s well-being.

How a Moreno Valley Child Custody Lawyer Can Support Your Case

Unfortunately, a calm child custody determination process can quickly escalate into an emotionally charged and contentious situation when parents disagree. By working with an empathetic attorney from our firm, we can work to ensure that your rights are protected and your voice is listened to. We can also assist you in working through your case as constructively as possible.

Additionally, our experienced team can support you with the following:

• Negotiation and Mediation. At our firm, we fiercely seek to avoid confrontations that could damage family relationships or threaten the well-being of the child. Therefore, when possible, we work to resolve custody challenges by negotiating or mediating, seeking efficient and optimal child custody agreements.
• Solutions That Reflect Your Needs. Our firm understands that every family law case is immensely different. Therefore, we craft legal tactics that speak to your unique circumstances and prioritize your child’s well-being.
• Custody Order Modifications. If your circumstances have significantly changed, our team can guide you through the child custody modification process to get an updated arrangement that reflects your new needs.

Overall, our deeply experienced attorneys are eager to help you navigate complex legal processes, from filling out and filing custody positions to advocating fiercely on your behalf in court. We are ready to work with you and your family to help you find solutions that protect your interests and ensure a bright future moving forward.

FAQs About Moreno Valley, CA Child Custody Laws

What Is the Difference Between Legal and Physical Custody in California?

In California, the difference between legal and physical custody is the implication of rights a parent has regarding the control of their child’s circumstances. While legal custody refers to a parent’s ability to make important life decisions for the child on topics such as education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities, physical custody dictates where the child will be physically located and living.

Can Both Parents Have Joint Custody in California?

Yes, it is possible for both parents to share joint custody in California. In fact, California courts commonly encourage these types of arrangements as they encourage the active involvement of each parent in the life of a child. If you are keen to come to an optimal joint custody arrangement for your family, a skilled family lawyer can assist you with crafting an arrangement that works for everyone and help to get it approved in court.

What Happens If Parents Can’t Agree on a Custody Arrangement in California?

If parents are not able to agree on a custody arrangement, the family courts may order mediation in order for them to come to a final agreement. If mediation is not successful, the court will need to make a determination for custody depending on what they consider to be the best interests of the child. The best interests of the child are determined by considering factors like the relationships the child has with their parents and the ability of the parents to provide a home.

How Is Visitation Determined in California?

In California, visitation schedules are determined by the courts by considering factors like the needs of the child, the work schedules of each parent, and the extracurricular activities and educational circumstances of the child. Visitation schedules are generally crafted by family courts to ensure the child has a sustained healthy relationship with each parent. Therefore, they will generally prioritize schedules that allow for the active participation of each parent.

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With in California?

In California, children over the age of 14 can express a preference regarding who they would like to live with. However, the final custody decision is not made solely based on the child’s preferences. California courts take into account a variety of factors when determining custody arrangements beyond the child’s preference, including those that dictate the general best interests of the child.

Fight for an Arrangement That Suits Your Family With a Moreno Valley Child Custody Lawyer

Whether you have recently gotten divorced and need a child custody plan or you have had significant life changes that warrant a modification, an empathetic Moreno Valley child custody lawyer can support you with your child custody needs. We are eager to understand the particular dynamics and challenges of your family, working together to craft and implement an optimal plan that prioritizes your child’s needs. Contact us today to start the conversation.