Oceanside Custody Visitation Attorney

Separation and divorce from a partner can be emotionally taxing on their own, but even more so when child custody is involved. Legal disputes are also common when child custody and visitation rights are involved, though every case is unique, as is every family. Let Paula D. Kleinman, A Professional Law Corporation, take on the legal burden so you can focus on your family. Hire our Oceanside custody visitation lawyer.

At our firm, we take the time to learn about you and your family to decide the most appropriate course of action regarding your child custody or visitation case.

Our Oceanside custody visitation attorney can answer your questions so that you understand custody and visitation laws and help you throughout your case. Whether you are trying to decide on a custody schedule, visitation rights, or an overall parenting plan, Paula D. Kleinman can use her 25 years of experience in custody visitation law to help you work out an arrangement that is in the best interests of your child.

Custody Visitation Law in Oceanside, CA

We understand the complicated feelings of uncertainty and fear that might come with the subject of child custody and disagreements over your child. Despite about 15 million children in the country living only with their mothers compared to only 3 million living only with their fathers, in California, neither parent is automatically favored in a custody case based on gender alone.

When hiring an Oceanside custody visitation attorney for your case, you want to pick a team that has you and your child’s needs at the forefront of their mind. Our priority is the health and safety of your child.

While many separated families have a 50/50 custody split, that is not always the outcome when the child’s well-being is involved. There are many facets to consider when looking at a custody or visitation case:

• Education – A parent’s ability to get the child to school and extracurricular activities.
• Stability – A parent’s ability to provide an environment in which the child can thrive.
• Safety – In cases involving one or both parents’ addiction and/or violence or abuse, the risk to the child is the top priority, and the San Diego County Superior Court will weigh all options through such a lens.

Under California Family Code 3011, a judge will also consider the following when determining a child’s best interests:

• The child’s age
• Emotional impact of an arrangement on the child
• Both parents’ relationship with the child
• Both parents’ availability to the child based on lifestyle and work hours
• Both parents’ ability to provide necessities for the child

In the United States, almost 90% of custody disputes are settled without going to court, often through mediation. Sometimes, joint custody will be granted based on the above criteria even if one parent has filed for sole custody.

There are many ways in which custody disputes can be settled outside of court. At Paula D. Kleinman, A Professional Law Corporation, we can help with the following:

• Negotiations, formal or informal
• Mediation with legal, professional, and/or religious guidance
• Creating an agreed-upon parenting plan
• Reaching a fair settlement to avoid a trial

We will help determine if these options are right for your case before taking it to trial. Settling outside of court will save time and money, and also help you remain in control of the overall plan for your child.

Custody in Oceanside

Custody can be a contentious word, but it doesn’t imply negative connotations. While many split parents can come together to make agreed-upon decisions for their child, mediation and court orders help to clearly define the roles of each parent to lessen and avoid current and future disagreements.

Custody can be given to one parent, or joint custody could be granted. There are two main types of custody in California:

• Legal custody – The right to make decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, religion, extra-curricular activities, and more.
• Physical custody – Where the child lives and who provides daily supervision and care.

Either type of custody can be awarded to one parent (sole) or shared between both parents (joint). This depends on what the court decides is in the best interests of the child. Typically, the courts favor joint legal custody and either joint or sole physical custody, depending on the circumstances.

When joint custody is granted, under California Family Code 3083, a judge will clearly define the situations in which both parents’ consent is required for a decision to be made, helping reduce conflict and confusion.

In more extreme cases, custody might be granted to a grandparent, other relative, or another party, and in cases of drug, alcohol, or physical abuse, custody might be granted to the state for the safety and well-being of the child.

Visitation Schedules

Visitation is an option for families where one parent is given sole physical custody, who might have extra factors keeping parents from being able to fully care for a child, or if the child could be considered to be in harm’s way.

Visitation laws are similar in that the court looks at the well-being, safety, and health of the child first and foremost. If visitation is a part of your case, you and your attorney can discuss the following options:

• Scheduled Visitation – A set schedule for the child to visit a parent (holidays, birthdays, vacations, school, and religious events).
• Reasonable Visitation – For a more flexible arrangement, parents can decide amongst themselves their child’s visitation schedule.
• Supervised Visitation – If a child’s safety or well-being is at risk, or if a child isn’t as familiar with one parent, supervision can help protect the child and ease a visitation.
• No Visitation – If a parent is a risk to the child, even under supervision, it will be recommended that no visitation be granted.

Hire a Custody Visitation Lawyer in Oceanside, CA, Today

Don’t put off getting professional and experienced help for your child custody or visitation rights. Our goal at Paula D. Kleinman, A Professional Law Corporation, is to make your custody visitation case as painless and quick as possible. Contact us today to hire a custody visitation lawyer and create a custody arrangement that works for you and your family.