Woodside Child Custody Lawyer

Woodside Child Custody Attorney

A child custody case has a huge impact on your child’s safety and well-being, making navigating a child custody matter one of the most emotional and important decisions you face. Whether you are addressing custody during a divorce, seeking to modify an existing order, or resolving disputes over decision-making powers, a Woodside child custody lawyer can provide clarity and guidance.

With almost 30 years of experience, the Law Offices of Rod Firoozye have a deep understanding of California child custody laws and the legal process. We understand that child custody cases are deeply personal, and no two families are the same. Our certified family law specialists can offer practical solutions that are unique to your case. If you are looking to protect your child through a custody arrangement, our compassionate attorneys can help.

Types of Custody Arrangements

Custody arrangements can be complex. About 20,000 child custody cases are filed with California’s Supreme Court each year, each with unique circumstances and child needs. Deciding what works for a family and what is in the best interests of the child can be difficult to determine. Working with an experienced child custody attorney can help you explore various options regarding physical custody, legal custody, and visitation rights.

Physical custody involves which parent the child will live with, and how much time is spent living with each parent. The two types of physical custody are:

• Sole physical custody. With sole physical custody, a child spends most of their time living with one parent.
• Joint physical custody. In joint physical custody, a child spends time living with both parents. Though joint custody arrangements often aim to divide a child’s time equally between parents, on average, California dads receive 8% of custody time.

Legal custody involves which parent can make important decisions for the child. Some of the decisions that require legal custody include those relating to education, religious activities, medical care, and travel. Like physical custody, there can be joint legal custody or sole legal custody.

Types of Visitation Rights

Visitation can protect your right to see your child, even when they are not living with you, or to ensure that a child’s contact with another parent occurs safely. The four most common visitation orders are:

• No visitation. Not allowing for visitation can occur if it could be emotionally damaging or physically dangerous for the child to spend time with a parent.
• Supervised visitation. If there are some safety concerns with visitation, the visitations can be supervised by the other parent, adult, or professional who can confirm that the visitation is safe and productive.
• Reasonable visitation. This type of visitation order allows parents to work out visitation schedules between themselves. While this may allow for more frequent visitation and avoid strict schedules, it requires flexibility and communication between the parents.
• Visitation with a schedule. A schedule can facilitate visitation without needing further communication between the parents. Visitation schedules can be routine days and times or may include special events and holidays.

Hire a Child Custody Lawyer

Having a lawyer can provide clarity throughout this process and certify that decisions are made in the best interest of a child. A lawyer can mediate discussions between parents and propose ideas for custody arrangements, increasing the chance that you and the other parent can agree on a favorable arrangement and avoid conflict.

If you and the other parent can’t reach an agreement on a child custody plan, a lawyer can help you file a Request for Order. A family lawyer can advocate for your preferred custody plan in a court hearing where a judge can make the final decision. By presenting any safety concerns, advantages of your preferred plan, and advocating for you and how your plan protects the best interests of the child, a lawyer can help you secure an optimal child custody arrangement.

FAQs

How Can You Make Changes to Child Custody and Parenting Time?

Changes to custody and visitation plans can be done by the court as circumstances change, to keep up with what is in a child’s best interest. If you and the other parent agree on a change, you can submit the update for the court’s approval to make modifications. If you and the other parent do not agree, you can file a Request for Order, where you can propose changes and share the reasons in a court hearing.

What Can You Do if You Are Concerned About Your Child’s Safety When They Are With Their Other Parent?

If you are concerned about your child’s well-being or physical safety when they are with their other parent, a child custody evaluation can be ordered. A child custody evaluator can determine any issues, make recommendations about the child’s needs and safety, and even contact law enforcement or child welfare services if necessary. Asking for a child custody evaluation may lead to changes in the custody arrangement or visitation rights.

Can You Get Child Custody if You Have a Criminal Conviction?

While it is possible to get child custody in California with a criminal conviction, it is not guaranteed. Serious crimes or repeated offenses may raise concerns about the child’s safety. If you are looking to get child custody with a criminal conviction, you should hire a child custody lawyer who can advocate for custody and visitation rights by illustrating rehabilitation and stability, and your commitment to creating a safe environment for your child.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

California Courts follow guidelines to calculate child support. Some factors that are used to calculate how much child support you may owe are your income, tax returns, and how much time you spend with the child. The amount you pay in California child support varies, but the current average is $6,500 a year.

Woodside Child Custody Lawyer

If you are facing a conflict with your child’s other parent over child custody, are confused about what types of custody arrangements are available to you, or need someone to facilitate discussions with the other parent, a Woodside child custody lawyer can help. Contact the Law Offices of Rod Firoozye to learn how our skilled attorneys are prepared to guide you through the child custody process and secure a safe and stable future for you and your child.