Pleasanton Family Law Attorneys
We recognize that child custody & parental visitation is a sensitive yet critical aspect of Family Law litigation, and decisions must be made that will have a significant impact on your children.
In California, child custody and visitation requires consideration of the best interests of the child. This standard mandates that the Court consider various sensitive factors which may increase the stress, discomfort, and disagreement between parents. This area of the law requires the knowledgeable, compassionate, & responsive representation that our attorneys can provide. Whether you are seeking a custody and visitation order in connection with an action for dissolution, legal separation, abuse prevention, or parentage, we diligently work to obtain favorable outcomes for our clients while maintaining the sensitivity and attention necessary to ensure that the needs and interests of your children remains paramount.
Custody of children may be held by both parents (“joint custody”) or by one parent (“sole custody.”) Additionally, California distinguishes between “physical” and “legal” custody. If a parent has “sole legal custody,” that parent has the exclusive right and responsibility to make decisions about the health, education, and welfare of the child. If parents share “joint legal custody,” both parents are legally entitled to make such decisions. If a parent has “sole physical custody,” the child resides with that parent and is under the supervision of that parent. The Court may order visitation to the parent who does not have physical custody.
California contemplates that child custody can be assigned in a number of ways:
- A parent may have sole legal and sole physical custody
- A parent may have joint legal and sole physical custody
- The parents may share both legal and physical custody
- The parents may share physical custody, while one parent has sole legal custody
We are committed to helping clients achieve their goals. Whether you need to establish a custody order, modify your current order or disagree with your ex’s attempts to modify orders, we have the experience and resources to protect your rights.
Contact the Experienced Pleasanton California Family Law and Divorce Attorneys at Tierney Law Group, PC today for a consultation. Let our team help you at this difficult time.
