Child Custody & Visitation

Representing Mothers and Fathers in Custody Matters

Decisions about child custody and visitation are often the most difficult aspect of a divorce. We encourage you to contact our attorneys if you are facing a divorce that involves children.

Prioritizing the Best Interests of Your Children

In California today, it is simply no longer correct to say, "The mom always gets the kids." When child custody is disputed, considerations go well beyond gender and many factors can be brought to bear. Where two good, caring and involved parents are involved, emphasis is put on encouraging sufficient parenting time and continuing contact with both parents.

In any contested divorce involving children, California courts place the best interests of those children first. Our attorneys will help ensure that your contributions in raising your children are recognized and that a complete picture of your family relationships is considered if you need to fight for custody or visitation rights.

We have successfully represented both fathers and mothers in custody disputes. If a case can be made that the child custody arrangement you desire is in your children's best interest, we know how to build and argue that case.

Understanding Legal and Physical Child Custody

Unless a custody decision involves serious questions about the conduct or fitness of a parent, courts generally grant joint legal custody. This means both parents have rights to information about their children and both are entitled to a voice in making decisions about schooling, medical care and other important needs.

Most disputes are over primary physical custody of the children and often these disputes are between two caring, involved parents. Intensive custody disputes are not easy for anyone involved. Most involve psychological evaluations of the parents and/or children and other time-consuming, sometimes stressful steps.

Working for Acceptable Visitation Arrangements

A parent who does not have primary physical custody will typically be allowed some time for visitation, during which that parent is responsible for all aspects of the children's care.

If one spouse is trying to strictly limit visitation without good cause, it can be essential for the noncustodial parent to have a good lawyer on his or her side. An experienced family law attorney can also help you achieve other specific goals regarding summer vacations or other visitation periods.

If you are facing divorce and need more information on child custody and child visitation, please contact the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth, A Professional Corporation.