Riverside Child Custody Attorney

The divorce process is rife with decision-making. While no one likes the process, it is not designed to be adversarial or vindictive. Important, life-changing choices must be made as you move on to the next chapter of your life. While personal issues may impede decisions involving custody and visitation, an experienced attorney can help you assert your rights while looking out for the best interests of your children.

It is crucial for divorcing parents in Riverside, CA to understand that the court system has a duty to rule in favor of the best interests of the children involved in a divorce case. The court’s impression of your situation may differ from your own interpretations, but, ultimately, the judge hearing a child custody case must use the information and evidence available to determine the best child custody arrangement for the children involved in a case.

To ensure you have a just and reasonable custody agreement, the right attorney will help you gather the evidence and support you need to make your case as strong as possible to ensure your kids have the most security going forward.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey are very well versed in California family law and have helped many past clients throughout the Inland Empire reach favorable conclusions with their child custody agreement proceedings. We look out for the best interests of you and your children and can help you make a compelling case for child custody in Riverside, CA.

A Riverside Visitation Lawyer Focused On Your Children’s Best Interests

When divorcing parents are not focused on the best interests of the children, custody and visitation matters become divisive. Emotional elements clash with legal complexities and sons and daughters become unseen and unheard victims. At the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, our objective is to put you in a position to be not just a good parent, but a good co-parent.

Custody falls into two categories: legal and physical. Legal custody allows a parent to make significant decisions involving education, health, religious upbringing and general welfare. California family courts lean more toward joint or shared legal custody of the children if possible. Primary physical custody involves the child’s permanent residence and visitation or “time-sharing” rights for the noncustodial parent.

How the Court Determines a Child’s Best Interests When Determining Custody

In California, family court judges will use all available evidence in a child custody hearing to determine the best possible outcome for the divorcing parents’ children. It’s not uncommon for a parent to assume they have a stronger claim for legal custody when the reality is that the grounds are relatively equal between the parents. Some of the criteria the court will use to determine the best possible custody arrangement for the children in a divorce case include:

  • The income of the divorcing parents. The court must assess each parent’s ability to handle the financial aspects of raising their children. This analysis typically comes into play with alimony and spousal support agreements as well.
  • The locations where the divorcing parents intend to live following their separation. Parents moving into separate houses can impact their children’s ability to visit with grandparents and other extended family members.
  • The children’s typical day-to-day schedules, including school, extracurricular activities, and attending religious services.
  • The divorcing parents’ legal histories. For example, if one parent has a history of domestic violence or drug abuse these factors will significantly diminish the parent’s ability to claim legal custody.
  • The grounds for the divorce. If one parent has filed for divorce due to the other parent’s mistreatment of the family, gambling debts, or other unscrupulous behaviors, this strengthens the filing parent’s position in custody proceedings.
  • The special needs of the children, if any, and the parents’ abilities to address those needs.

Every child custody case is different, and this is not an exhaustive list. Divorcing parents should expect the court to thoroughly review every aspect of their lives to determine the custody arrangement that works toward the best interests of their children.

How Can Riverside Child Custody Lawyers Help?

Riverside child custody lawyer Catherine A. Schwartz believes that parents who focus on the best interests of their children can ease the disruptive transition of one household becoming two. While court-approved mediation is required, negotiations between you and your spouse can fail. Exploring all options and pursuing the best outcome on behalf of you and your children may lead to the courtroom.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey are not afraid of intense litigation. We have decades of courtroom experience handling all types of cases and will provide comprehensive legal representation throughout the entire child custody arrangement process. We understand that child custody proceedings can be incredibly stressful for everyone involved, so we work hard to ensure we do everything possible to streamline the process.

Contact Attorney Catherine A. Schwartz for a Free Child Custody and Visitation Legal Consultation in Riverside, CA

Child custody procedures in the Riverside, CA court system can be arduous processes, and the right attorney can not only make the process much easier but also increase the chances of you reaching a favorable conclusion in your child custody case. The team at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey have the experience, skills, and resources to help you build a strong case that shows your dedication to your children and their future.

For more information, contact the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey at (951) 686-8190 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our office is located on the corner of Arlington and Magnolia in Riverside. For the convenience of our clients, we accept appointments in the evenings and on weekends and accept all major credit cards.

Catherine was the first lawyer I’ve met who actually said and completed what she told me she would do. I’ve never written a review for anything before this but I truly feel it deserves to be heard. This law group stepped up and got the job done. I am extremely thankful for the diligent and caring effort that was put into my case and I never felt I was being taken advantage of or left in the dark about my case. I’ve experience other lawyers that have only had their best interest in mind and took advantage of me. Catherine and her group always were thoughtful and caring about my case as small as it was. I’m forever thankful for their compassion and hard work.