Child Custody & Visitation Rights in CA

Understanding Different Types of Child Custody

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
  • Only one parent has custody
• Sole legal custody
  • Both parents share custody
• Joint physical custody
  • Determines Who the Child Lives With
• Joint legal custody
  • Determines who makes important life-decisions for the underage child

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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.