Your Attorneys For Child Custody And Parenting Rights

Protecting your children and doing what is best for them are your first priority when family legal issues arise. Child custody, visitation and parenting plans are all very sensitive family law issues that have the power to change your life and the lives of your loved ones significantly. While California courts consider all the facts of a child custody or visitation case, your individual rights need to be protected and advocated for.

In the past, California courts simply awarded custody of any minor children in a divorce to the mother, with the belief that the mother had the best skills and resources to raise the children. However, this archaic notion has long since been eradicated in the court system, and child custody is now a complex legal issue that takes numerous factors into consideration. When parents are not in agreement in regard to custody and visitation, California law mandates that they attend child custody recommending counseling (formerly called mediation) with a licensed professional, who will make a recommendation to the judge based on the best interests of the child.

Custody cases tend to be very involved and require the legal support of a seasoned California family law attorney. At Rodriguez Lagorio, LLP, our attorneys can help you better understand the matter at hand and inform you of all the legal options you have available to you.

Visitation And Parenting Plans

Once physical and legal custody are determined, the court proceeds to set up a visitation schedule for the noncustodial parent. This is often referred to as a parenting plan, especially in cases where both parents have equal custody of the children. California courts recognize the benefit of a child’s continued relationship with each of their parents and work toward setting up a parenting plan that allows for this.

A visitation schedule or parenting plan has the power to affect everyone involved, including you and your ex-spouse, as well as your children. Creating a parenting plan that provides you with convenient pickup and drop-off times, as well as quality time with your children during holidays, is critical and requires the assistance of a skilled California child custody attorney.