Child Custody

Protecting Your Relationship With Your Children

Few legal disputes are more personal—or more important—than a dispute over your children.

When parents cannot agree about custody or parenting time, the uncertainty can be overwhelming. You may be worried about how often you will see your children, where they will live, who will make important decisions for them, or whether the other parent is trying to limit your role in their lives.

At Magid Law Office, we represent parents in California child custody and visitation matters. We provide straightforward advice, careful preparation, and strong courtroom advocacy when an agreement cannot be reached.

Your relationship with your children matters. We take protecting it seriously.

California Child Custody and Visitation

California custody cases generally involve two separate concepts: legal custody and physical custody.

Legal custody concerns a parent's authority to make important decisions regarding a child's health, education, and welfare. Physical custody concerns where the child lives and how the child's time is divided between the parents.

Custody arrangements can take many different forms. There is no single parenting schedule that is appropriate for every family.

California courts focus on the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. That determination can involve numerous factors, including the child's health, safety, and welfare; the history and nature of each parent's relationship with the child; and circumstances affecting each parent's ability to care for the child.

When parents disagree about those facts, the way the case is prepared and presented can matter enormously.

Contested Child Custody Cases

Not every custody dispute can be resolved by agreement.

Sometimes parents fundamentally disagree about what is best for their children. In other cases, one parent may make allegations that the other believes are exaggerated, misleading, or simply untrue.

A contested custody case may involve allegations concerning domestic violence, substance abuse, unsafe living conditions, interference with parenting time, a parent's judgment or conduct, or other circumstances that may affect the child's welfare.

These cases require more than accusations and counter-accusations. They require careful attention to the evidence.

We work with clients to identify the facts that matter, organize the available evidence, prepare for hearings, and present their position clearly to the court.

Custody and Parenting-Time Orders

A good custody order should provide parents with clear expectations and children with as much stability as the circumstances permit.

We represent parents seeking orders concerning:

• Legal and physical custody

• Regular parenting schedules

• Weekends and weekdays

• Holidays and school vacations

• Transportation and exchanges

• Telephone and electronic contact

• Decision-making regarding education and medical care

• Supervised visitation when appropriate

• Other conditions necessary to create a workable parenting arrangement

The appropriate arrangement depends on the children, the parents, their schedules, where they live, and the history of the family.

Modification of Existing Custody Orders

Children grow. Parents move. Work schedules change. Circumstances that existed when a custody order was entered may look very different several years later.

When circumstances justify it, a parent may ask the court to modify an existing custody or visitation order.

We represent parents seeking modifications as well as parents opposing requested changes. We evaluate the existing orders, the circumstances that have changed, and the evidence necessary to present the issue effectively to the court.

When the Other Parent Is Not Following the Custody Order

A custody order is supposed to provide certainty. When one parent repeatedly disregards the order, denies parenting time, or interferes with exchanges, the situation can quickly become frustrating and disruptive.

The appropriate response depends on exactly what has happened and what the existing court order requires.

We help clients evaluate their options and determine what steps are appropriate to address violations of existing custody and visitation orders.

Serious Custody Allegations

Some custody disputes involve allegations that could significantly affect a parent's relationship with a child.

Claims involving domestic violence, abuse, neglect, substance abuse, dangerous behavior, or other threats to a child's safety require careful attention. The consequences of these allegations can be substantial whether you are the parent raising the concern or the parent being accused.

When the stakes are this high, preparation matters.

We examine the allegations, the available evidence, the history between the parties, and the legal issues the court will be required to decide.

You Don't Have to Agree With the Other Parent. You Do Need a Strategy.

Custody cases can become emotional very quickly. Anger between parents can easily distract from the questions the court actually has to decide.

Effective representation means separating what is frustrating from what is legally important.

At Magid Law Office, we help clients focus on the facts that matter, understand what the court is likely to consider, and prepare their case accordingly.

Whenever a reasonable agreement can protect our client's relationship with their children, we will pursue it.

When an agreement isn't possible, we are prepared to go to court.

Talk to a Child Custody Attorney

If you are facing a child custody or visitation dispute, getting legal advice early can help you understand your options before making decisions that could affect your case.

Whether you are seeking custody orders for the first time, requesting a change to an existing order, responding to allegations from the other parent, or preparing for a contested custody hearing, Magid Law Office can help you determine your next step.

Contact Magid Law Office to schedule a consultation about your child custody case.