Child Custody Attorney Representing Parents in Simi Valley & Ventura County

Experienced Lawyers Helping Parents and Children in CA

When searching for such a firm, you can turn to Sua Law Group. Our legal team consists of skilled trial lawyers who will work tirelessly to help you and your spouse reach an agreement that takes into account your parental rights as well as your child(ren)’s best interests. Should you be unable to reach such an agreement, we have the experience, knowledge, and determination to fiercely advocate on your behalf before a family law judge. Our Los Angeles County child custody lawyers will always be focused on helping you reach the best possible result for your family at every turn of the process. We can help whether this issue is part of a pending divorce or has surfaced in a post-divorce situation. 

Facing a child custody issue? Turn to Sua Law Group for a free, initial consultation. Contact us online or at (805) 515-4070.

Child Custody & Visitation in California

Child custody in broken down into two types which may be shared by both parents or awarded solely to one parent.

These include:

• Legal custody. This type of custody includes the legal authority to make decisions about your child, such as regarding health care, education, religious upbringing, and other life decisions.
• Physical custody. This involves with whom the child will reside. When joint physical custody is awarded, the child will be scheduled to spend overnights with each parent, which may be as equal as possible or more with one parent so as to accommodate school or daycare needs.

Family law courts consider the parent-child relationship to be exceedingly important to the wellbeing of children. Family law judges favor joint custody arrangements so as to preserve this relationship and will generally award joint custody unless some factor would preclude it. These factors could include a history of domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse, or criminal activity on the part of a parent. Where custody becomes contested between parents, the courts will make decisions based on what they believe is in the best interests of the child’s welfare. 

Factors that courts will examine in determining the child’s best interests can include:

• The nature of the relationship the child has with each parent
• The stability of the proposed environments
• The amount of time or contact the child has had with each parent
• Whether a parent will be accommodating in fostering the child’s relationship and time spent with the other parent
• Any evidence of parental neglect or abuse
• How custody will affect a child’s schooling, social life, and relationships with siblings or extended family
• Any other factors relevant to the case

Post-Divorce Custody Matters 

Child custody can arise as an issue in the years following the initial decision. These matters can involve relocations, modifications, and enforcement. A parent may seek to relocate with a child for job purposes, to remarry, or to be closer to primary family members. At some point, the current parenting plan may become unworkable for parents who wish to seek a modification that better fits the needs of children and/or parents. Lastly, if your spouse continually violates the terms of the court’s custody order, you may need to have it enforced by a judge. These issues will all involve returning to court to get the matter resolved and thus legally binding and enforceable. Our team can represent you in all child custody matters.