Murrieta Child Custody Attorney

Disputes involving your children can be overwhelming and emotional, especially when they involve custody. During a divorce, child custody issues are often the most contested aspects of the process. Sometimes it might be a simple disagreement with the decision the court made during your divorce. Other times, you are desperately trying to keep your child away from an abusive former spouse who may try to harm them. No matter the situation, having a child custody lawyer that you can trust to represent you and your children is essential.

The Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey: Murietta’s Family Law Attorneys

Family law issues are rarely simple, especially when there are children involved. Here at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, we are dedicated to helping families and individuals across Murrieta. With decades of experience, we can assist you through the toughest of cases. We understand just how difficult child custody disputes can be, which is why we are prepared to support, guide, and represent you throughout the entire process. With the help of our team, you can trust that you and your children’s needs will always be the top priority.

What Is Child Custody?

Child custody is a broad legal term that is used to refer to the different types of guardianship parents are given over their children. In California, there are two main kinds of custody that a guardian can receive, either of which can be assigned as joint or sole custody, depending on the circumstances:

1. Physical Custody
   A parent with physical custody will have the right to have their child live in their home. If a guardian is granted physical custody, they are responsible for providing a comfortable home and meeting the basic needs of their child.
   • Joint Physical Custody
     With joint physical custody, sometimes known as shared physical custody, the children involved are allowed to spend time at both of their parents’ homes. While joint physical custody does not necessarily mean that time will be equally split 50-50, it does allow children to spend ample time with both parents. Joint physical custody can take many forms, such as kids staying at their mother’s during the school year and going to their father’s in the summer or children going to their father’s one week of the month and staying at their mother’s the rest of the time.
   • Sole Physical Custody
     If a parent has sole physical custody of their child, it means that the child lives with them full time. A parent with full custody is referred to as the custodial parent. Oftentimes, the parent that was not given sole custody, known as the non-custodial parent, is given visitation rights. The most common example of this is when a mother receives full custody of her young kids, and a father receives visitation rights every other weekend.
2. Legal Custody
   A parent with legal custody will have the right to make important decisions for their children regarding their healthcare, schooling, religion, and more.
   • Joint Legal Custody
     When separated parents are awarded joint legal custody, this allows both to make important choices for their children. In California, parents with joint legal custody do not always have to consult with the other parent before making decisions, although many of them do.
   • Sole Legal Custody
     With sole legal custody, only one parent is allowed to make those important decisions for their kids. Sole legal custody is often awarded when the court sees it as being in the best interest of the children, such as when one parent is absent from the child’s life, or they are abusive.

The Benefits of Working With a Child Custody Divorce Lawyer

When it comes to family law issues such as child custody, working with a lawyer you can trust can benefit you in a variety of ways:

• Legal Representation: Because family law matters are often dealt with in court, having a child custody lawyer on your side can make a massive difference during litigation. If you or your ex-partner file a dispute in court, your lawyer can represent you and fight for the best possible outcome for you and your child.
• Knowledge and Experience: Because child custody lawyers have extensive knowledge of the world of family law, they can not only support you through this difficult process, but they can help you navigate it, as well. Legal matters are never simple, and when it comes to child custody issues, having an experienced attorney to help you through your case can make an immense difference.
• Better Chances for Negotiation: While divorces are often full of disagreements, working with a family law attorney can make negotiation much easier for everyone involved. Because there are often intense emotions between ex-partners, having attorneys to assist during the negotiation process can create a more comfortable, tamer environment for both parties to be able to find a compromise. This can also help to reduce the number of court dates brought about because of disagreements.

What Does It Mean To Put “The Best Interests of the Children First?”

In California, it is the job of the court to keep the best interests of the children involved in a divorce as a priority. This means that throughout the case, the court needs to assess how each decision will affect the children and what is best for them. Even if a parent makes a convincing argument for their case, the court must first decide if it will negatively affect the children in some way. By hiring one of our family law attorneys, you can trust that the court, your lawyer, and your case will recognize the needs of your children.

Murrieta Child Custody Attorney

Whether you are just getting divorced and know you need assistance, or you are trying to keep your children out of potentially dangerous hands, our team at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey is prepared to help you through your case. We know just how important your children are to you and are dedicated to helping keep both of you comfortable and safe. To learn more about our child custody services, contact us today or schedule an evaluation.