Child Custody Lawyers Castroville

Child Custody Lawyers Castroville

If you are facing a divorce that involves shared children, have a child with someone whom you are no longer with, or need a modification of your current child custody terms, it is a complex legal matter that will directly affect your rights as a parent, which makes the matter of primary concern. As such, having an experienced child custody lawyer in Castroville on your side is in your best interest. 

Child Custody

The State of California addresses child custody in terms of the following:

• Legal custody 
• Physical custody or parenting time

Each plays an important role in your child custody terms. 

Legal Custody

Legal custody addresses the important matter of how you and your ex will proceed with making primary parenting decisions on behalf of your shared children, which is a critical responsibility all parents face. The kinds of decisions addressed by legal custody include:

• Decisions related to your children’s healthcare needs
• Decisions related to your children’s schooling
• Decisions related to your children’s religious upbringing
• Decisions related to your children’s participation in extracurricular activities

Less imposing decisions, such as those related to everyday concerns, remain the responsibility of the parent who is with the children at the time, and the same is true when emergency decisions need to be made. 

Parenting Time

Your parenting time schedule determines how you and your ex will divide your time with your children. Even if one of you becomes the primary custodial parent and has the kids the majority of the time, the other parent’s right to visitation remains important. California courts base child custody determinations on the best interests of the children involved, and barring extenuating circumstances, this means ensuring that they continue to spend time with both parents. 

Best Interest Factors

California courts look to factors such as the following in their efforts to uphold children’s best interests in relation to child custody terms:

• The children’s ages and overall physical and mental health
• Any special needs any of the children face, and each parent’s ability to address these needs
• The parents’ preferences on the matter
• The preferences of those children who are deemed mature enough to reasonably weigh in
• The welfare, well-being, and safety of the children
• The strength of the bonds each parent has established with each child
• Each parent’s commitment to supporting the children’s ongoing relationship with the other parent
• Any factors that may put the children at increased risk, such as a history of domestic violence, concerns related to addiction, or any indication of child endangerment
• Any other factors the court considers relevant to the unique case at hand

An Experienced Child Custody Lawyer in Castroville Can Help

The outcome of your child custody case is paramount to your parental rights, and the trusted child custody lawyers at Miranda, Magden & Miranda, LLP, in Castroville, recognize the immensity of your situation. Our knowledgeable legal team is committed to skillfully advocating for a favorable case resolution that upholds your rights, so please do not wait to contact us for more information today.