San Francisco Child Custody Attorney
During a divorce or separation, the terms of child custody is one of, if not the most, difficult arrangements to agree upon. Both parents want to remain an active and involved role in their child’s life. However, determining child custody can quickly become contested when parents cannot agree upon a child custody arrangement. For this reason, it’s a good idea to hire an attorney separate from that of your spouse to represent you at any and all child custody hearings. Having a skilled San Francisco child custody lawyer representing you during the child custody process is a great way to ensure that your parental rights are not violated, and that your wishes and concerns regarding the custody of your children are acknowledged, respected, and upheld.
Types of Child Custody Arrangements
When determining a child custody arrangement, the judge always considers the child’s best interest first and foremost. Most judges in California try to grant both parents custody. However, the extent to which a parent is granted custody is determined by such factors as:
- Each parent’s metal state
- Each parent’s capacity to care for the child
- Each parent’s financial security
- Each parent’s health & lifestyle
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- The child’s lifestyle
- The child’s preference (if above a certain age)
After taking all of these factors into consideration, the judge will determine the physical and legal custody arrangements, which can either be shared or awarded solely to one parent.
Physical custody refers to which parent the child will physically reside with. In a situation in which one parent has sole physical custody, the child will reside with that parent 100% of the time. When both parents are awarded physical custody, or joint physical custody, the child will split his/her time between both parents. However, the amount of time each parent has physical custody may or may not be equal. For example, a child could spend an equal amount of time living with both parents, or the child could reside with one parent during the week and the other parent on the weekends.
The parent with legal custody has the right and authority to make all legal decisions regarding the child, such as medical care, education, religion, etc. Legal custody can also be awarded to either one parent (sole legal custody) or to both parents (joint or shared legal custody).
Contact a San Francisco Child Custody Lawyer
When it comes to the custody of your children, it’s important to take your legal matters very seriously. The best way to ensure that your needs, wants, and concerns regarding the custody of your children are known and understood by the judge is to hire an experienced San Francisco child custody attorney to represent you in court. At our firm, we are committed to helping you reach a child custody arrangement that meets the needs of you and your children. We can explain to the judge that keeping you involved your child’s life is in the best interest of the child. When you come to our law firm, you can rest assured that you’ll work with a San Francisco child custody lawyer who truly has your best interest at heart, and who will work relentlessly to ensure that your relationship with your children is not hampered, but rather continues to thrive.
Click here to contact a San Francisco child custody attorney at our firm today!