Protecting Your Child’s Best Interests
Resolving child custody and visitation matters during a divorce or separation can be a very sensitive process. It is important to reach a solution that is in the best interests of the children through means that cause the least amount of disruption to the family.
At The Law Offices of Ronda A. Middleton, we are committed to helping parents find favorable resolutions in their child custody and visitation cases. With our offices in Fullerton, we represent clients throughout Orange County and Southern California.
Our goal is the same as yours: putting your child’s best interests first. We strive to create and maintain the most beneficial parenting plan for all parties because we know how important your family is to you.
Determining Your Child Custody Arrangement
Custody is usually shared between parents equally unless one parent has a history of chemical dependency, child abuse, or child molestation. Child custody arrangements can be tailored around schedules of parents who travel often or work unusual hours.
Special situations may give rise to monitored visitations, court-supervised custody, and court-mandated classes about co-parenting. Therefore, counsel can be useful in dealing with the difficult task of raising children when the marriage has faltered. We routinely handle child custody issues and strive to help create an arrangement that considers the child’s or children’s well being.
Joint Custody
Child custody arrangements can include joint legal custody, where both parents share the decision-making regarding education, non-emergency medical treatment and other designated items such as extracurricular activities. Although one parent may be awarded physical custody, joint custody still means the parents share decision-making and parenting time. Joint custody can be an equal or 50/50 parenting time arrangement, but it is not mandatory.
The best parenting plan considers many factors including the ages of the children, the parents’ work schedules, the distance between homes, the location of schools, and in some cases, the preferences of the child or children.
Reaching An Agreement
It is usually in the child’s best interest if the parents can work together to solve child custody issues. If the parents are able to resolve these matters outside of the courts through mediation or collaborative law methods, there is often less harm to the child. However, if there are complex issues involving chemical dependency or abuse, litigation may be the appropriate option.
Discuss Your Case With Us
We will help you determine how to proceed with your case. In addition, she offers assistance with child support matters after custody determinations. Call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to start discussing your case. We ensure a 24-hour response to your inquiry.
