Child Custody Lawyer Near Me

Child Custody Lawyer Near Me

If you have a concern regarding child custody – whether it’s related to divorce, is related to a post-divorce modification, or is outside of divorce – it affects your parental rights, which makes it a critical concern. In matters of this magnitude, it’s important to get the legal help you need, and an experienced child custody lawyer near you can help. 

The Best Interests Of Your Children

In California, child custody determinations are always based on the best interests of the children, and some of the factors that go into this calculation include:

• Each parent’s overall involvement in raising the children to date
• Each parent’s ability to provide for the children physically and emotionally
• Each parent’s commitment to supporting the other’s ongoing relationships with the children
• Each parent’s overall relationship with each of the children
• Any concerns related to domestic violence or child abuse
• Each child’s needs, including any special needs they might have
• Any other factors deemed important by the court

If you and your children’s other parent are able to negotiate child custody terms that work for both of you, you won’t need the court’s direct intervention on this key parental right.

Legal Custody

California approaches child custody in terms of both legal and physical custody. Legal custody determines how you and your ex will address primary parenting decisions, such as the following:

• Decisions about the education your children receive
• Decisions about the health care your children receive
• Decisions about the extracurriculars and travel your children participate in
• Decisions about where your children make their primary home
• Decisions about the religious upbringing your children receive

You and your ex can make these decisions together, or one of you can take on sole legal custody. Alternatively, you can share legal custody according to the category of parenting decision that needs to be made.

Physical Custody

Physical custody determines how you and your children’s other parent will resolve your parenting time schedules. Because California courts base parenting time decisions on the best interests of the children involved and because children’s best interests are considered best served when the children are able to continue spending a meaningful amount of time with both parents, courts attempt to maximize both parents’ schedules. Ultimately, you and your ex will be awarded a similar amount of time with your children, or one of you will become the primary custodial parent with whom your children spend the majority of their overnights.

Turn To An Experienced Child Custody Lawyer Near You

When your children are involved, the matter is too important to leave to chance, which makes having professional legal counsel in your corner well advised. The compassionate California child custody lawyers at Miranda, Magden & Miranda, LLP , proudly serving Monterey and Salinas, are well equipped to help guide your claim toward a favorable resolution that upholds your rights as a parent and works for you and your children. We’re here for you, so please don’t wait to reach out by contacting us for more information today.