Understanding Custody & Visitation Rights in Westlake Village
Types of Child Custody in California
When two parents decide to get a
divorce, child custody must be determined. Divorce will have a serious effect
on the child's future, so the decision regarding custody must be carefully
made in order to ensure the child's best interest is served.
If parents fail to do so, the child could suffer unnecessarily for something
that was not their fault or decision. When deciding child custody, the
court chooses between four variations:
- Sole physical custody
- Sole legal custody
- Joint physical custody
- Joint legal custody
Sole custody means that only one parent has custody, while joint custody
means they both share custody. Physical custody determines who the child
lives with, while legal custody determines who makes important life-decisions
for the underage child.
For example: Joint physical custody could mean that the child lives with
one parent during the week and with the other parent on weekends, and
sole legal custody means that only one parent may make important legal
decisions for the child.
Contact Us for a Consultation with a Westlake Village Family Law Attorney
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
The court's custody decision is made based on the child's best
interest, which is determined by a careful consideration of the following:
- Each parent's ability to support their child financially, physically
and emotionally
- Each parent's willingness to invest themselves in their child's life
- The child's relationship with each of their parents
- The child's preference, if old enough to have a valid preference
Divorce Orders for Noncustodial Parents: Visitation
Have you been denied custody of your child? Even if this is the case, you
still have the right to fight for visitation. This ensures that you still
have the right to see your child and spend quality time with them after
your divorce is finalized. Without a visitation order, the other custodial
parent could refuse you the right to visit your child, speak with them,
or contact them in any way. This will be impossible the moment you obtain
a visitation order from a
family law judge. Visitation rights are usually ordered by a judge when it is proven
that severing the noncustodial parent's relationship with their child
would not be in the child's best interest.
The best interests of the child are always the deciding factor for any
matter involving a child in divorce, which is why you need a Westlake
Village divorce lawyer who can skillfully build and present a strong argument
on your behalf. Attorney Richard Ross has
over 30 years of family law experience. He has even been
board certified in family law by the California Board of Legal Specialization, which requires extensive
testing and peer review. Set up your initial consultation with an attorney
from Richard Ross Associates today to find out how we can help you obtain
visitation rights in Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks.
Contact the Team at Richard Ross Associates Today
Searching for an experienced divorce lawyer in Westlake Village, CA? In
order to win a custody or visitation case, you will need an attorney who
can skillfully build your case to prove that your child's best interests
lie with you having custody or visitation rights.
Contact Richard Ross Associates to learn how we can provide such capable representation. Attorney Ross
has over 30 years of experience in family law and is a
board-certified family law specialist. Speak with us today to set up your
case evaluation with a
Thousand Oaks divorce attorney who can fight for the custody order that you and your child deserve.