Child Custody Lawyer Chino Hills

If you’re like most parents going through a divorce, your primary concern is for your children. Where will they live? Who will get to make the important decisions that affect their lives?

Many people in situations similar to yours find that it’s best to work with a Chino Hills child custody lawyer who understands how the California court system works and how our laws apply in specific situations.

Child Custody: What You Need to Know

There are two types of child custody in the state of California: physical and legal. Each carries different rights and responsibilities, but in many cases, parents share both types.

Physical Custody in California

Physical custody refers to where your children live for most or all of the time. Often, parents share physical custody; if they don’t, kids live primarily with one parent while visiting the other.

In rare cases, physical custody is only awarded to one parent without awarding the other parent with visitation or parenting time.

Typically, physical custody and visitation are worked out in a custody agreement. Some families choose for children to live with one parent throughout the week, particularly when they’re in school, and alternate weekends and some weeknights with the other parent. However, every family’s situation is different, and what works for one family may not work for yours.

Legal Custody in California

In many cases, parents share legal custody. Legal custody refers to the obligations and rights that each parent has to make important decisions for their children, including healthcare, religion and education.

How Does Child Custody Affect Child Support?

Although child support orders are completely separate from child custody orders, the amount of time your children spend with each parent will have a direct impact on the amount of child support that changes hands. Generally, the parent with whom the children reside receives child support.

California has a very specific formula for determining child support. The formula is based on each parent’s income, the number of children the two parents share, and a number of other factors.

The Best Way to Decide Child Custody

Your attorney will probably tell you that it’s best if you and your ex can decide an fair custody agreement on your own, without the judge’s intervention.

Although judges do their best to remain fair and impartial when determining custody, nobody knows your family as you do. You and your ex are best qualified to work out an arrangement that benefits your kids.

It can be extremely difficult to deal with your ex-spouse, particularly if he or she is combative. However, remember that your children love both of you – and it’s best if they are able to foster a healthy relationship with each of you, as well.

Forcing a Judge to Rule in Your Custody Case

If you and your ex cannot reach an agreement on your own, the judge will be forced to make a decision for you. The judge’s primary concern will be the best interests of the child, regardless of what you and your ex-spouse want.

The courts must consider a number of factors to determine what’s right for your child or children, including:

• The emotional ties that exist between each parent and the children
• How much time each parent spends with the children
• The age and health of each child
• Which parent has served as the “primary” parent
• The employment and ability of each parent to care for the child
• Whether there is a history of family violence or substance abuse
• What the children’s current living arrangement is

In some cases, the judge will order a 730 Evaluation to help determine what is best for your child or children.

The 730 Evaluation

A 730 Evaluation is nothing to fear. Typically, no home visits are required. You, your ex-spouse and your child (four children) will visit the evaluator’s office, and you’ll all be interviewed separately.

Call a Chino Hills Child Custody Lawyer for Help

If you are having a tough time working out the custody agreement with your ex-spouse, it may be a good idea to call a Chino Hills child custody lawyer for help.

Call us at 909-466-7661 or contact us online. We can give you case specific legal advice and help ensure that your kids are exactly where they need to be.