How is Child Custody Determined in California?
At Zwierzchowski & Nguyen, our divorce attorneys in Long Beach know how hard it is for parents to traverse the ongoing, and seemingly ever-evolving challenges that come with dissolving their marriages — especially when the couple shares minor children.
In California divorces, the children’s best interests are placed at the forefront of any decision the court makes regarding their parents’ futures with them, which is why we present each of our clients with the resources they need to empower them to make informed decisions about child custody in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Here are a few things you should know about child custody in California, including several ways you can damage your chances of sharing joint custody of your children with the other parent.
Building Your California Child Custody Case for Success
The goal of the family courts is to keep both parents active in the lives of their children, which often leads to joint legal and physical custody that allows the kids to split their time between both parents.
To determine whether joint custody is possible, the courts will review:
- Amount of time each parent currently spends with the child(ren)
- Activities each parent is involved in with the child(ren)
- Both parents’ healthy and positive relationships with each other and the children
- Both parents’ schedules for work, travel, and commitments outside the home
The child custody judge will also want to know about any unstable circumstances that interrupt the child’s quality of life, including negativity, arguments, threats, or any type of domestic violence that has taken place, or is still taking place inside the home.
If damaging behavior is a factor in your divorce proceedings, we will want to ensure your kids remain safe by pursuing the best child custody outcome that will keep them out of harm’s way.
Damaging behavior that can jeopardize a parent’s ability to gain custody of the children can include:
- Abandonment or neglect of the child
- Drug, alcohol, or other addiction problems
- Failure to provide basic needs for the children
- Physical abuse of the child
- Domestic violence or sexual abuse convictions
- Placing the kids in emotionally or psychologically damaging situations
All California child custody cases are unique, and the more we know about your family dynamics, the better chance we will have at empowering you to take control of your divorce to pursue the best outcome available for both you and your children.
Contact Our Skilled Child Custody Attorneys in Long Beach, California Today
At Zwierzchowski & Nguyen, our child custody attorneys in Long Beach will help you develop a child custody plan in mediation, or will litigate your child custody needs in court by building a strong case that advocates for complete control over your children’s upbringing, so you can each lead full lives once the divorce is final.
Contact our certified family mediator or divorce attorneys in Long Beach to discuss what you want out of your child custody arrangements, so we can help you get there without delay. Contact us today by calling 562-426-6522 to learn more about your legal options, so you can begin planning your and your kids’ futures with confidence.
