An Experienced Child Custody Lawyer
Once the court has made orders concerning custody and visitation, it can be extremely difficult to get those orders changed at a later date. For this reason, if your case involves an issue concerning child custody and visitation, it is critical that you choose an attorney who has the experience to handle your legal matter and understands how important your child’s future is to you. Therefore, whether you are seeking or opposing a request involving custody or visitation, contact The Law Office of Robert Goldsmith to find out what your options are and get the help you need.
At The Law Office of Robert Goldsmith, we handle all aspects of child custody and visitation. With more than 20 years of legal experience, Newport Beach child custody attorney Robert Goldsmith can help you protect your children and work out a custody plan that will be effective for years to come. We also help clients with paternity cases, post-divorce child custody modifications, move-away orders and other matters related to child custody. When it comes to the custody and visitation of your child, you can trust the advice and experience of The Law Office of Robert Goldsmith to help you when you need it most.
Understanding Types Of Custody
In California, there are two types of child custody: legal and physical. Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to make decisions related to the health, education and welfare of the child. Physical custody refers to the time periods during which a child resides with, and is under the supervision of, a parent or another party. Legal and/or physical custody may be granted solely to one parent (called “sole custody”) or it may be awarded jointly to both parents (called “joint custody”). The type of custody (legal or physical) and the means of holding it (jointly or solely) can have an impact on future decisions the court is called upon to make, such as whether a parent is allowed to relocate or change the residence of the minor child, the child’s religious upbringing and where the child attends school.
Creating A Visitation Plan That Works For All
The court must grant a parent reasonable visitation rights unless it is shown that such visitation would be detrimental to the best interests of the child. Noncustodial parents with court-ordered visitation rights have an interest in the companionship, care, custody and management of their child. In determining what is considered “reasonable visitation,” the court has broad discretion and may issue a variety of orders. However, all visitation orders must be made in furtherance of the child’s best interest and must take into account the broad policy of ensuring the child’s health, safety and welfare.
In many cases, the parents are able to reach an agreement (called a “stipulation”) concerning the custody and visitation of their child. However, when the parents are simply unable to agree, the court must hold a hearing to resolve the issues and make certain factual findings as to the best interest of the child. Once these findings have been made by the court, they cannot be changed without an agreement between both parents, unless there has been a change of circumstances.
Contact Us Today
At the core, child custody matters need to look out for the best interest of your child. The Law Office of Robert Goldsmith works to find a child custody plan that works for both parents while keeping the child as the focus. To discuss your child custody matter with an experienced child custody lawyer, call us at 949-783-9709 or email us today.