During a divorce, there can be a lot of trial and error as you figure out your custody routine. Ideally, you and your ex will have clear temporary custodial terms that help you avoid issues as you share time with your children. Even under less contentious circumstances, getting through the holidays with your kids during divorce can be challenging. The good news is that there are ways to help make the process run smoother while sharing holiday time with your children. Continue reading
Thousands of people move into California each year. Some of these new residents are parents with children who are subject to out-of-state custody orders. When another state’s court establishes a child’s custodial decisions and the child and their parent move into the state, the original order will need to be transferred to California. Therefore, if you have an out-of-state order, you need to know: How do I transfer my out-of-state custody order to California? Continue reading
Generally, California law favors parents having equal decision-making authority and time with children. However, there can be circumstances when a parent will have supervised visitation. If you believe that supervised visitation may be an issue in your California child custody case, it’s important that you understand how this type of supervision operates. So, how does supervised visitation work in a California child custody case? Continue reading
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. In 2016, the substance became legal for personal use. Since then, the industry has grown to the point that it’s not uncommon to see marijuana sold at retail dispensaries throughout the Golden State. Although marijuana use is legal in California, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is widely accepted in child custody courts. Therefore, if you have a potential or pending child custody matter with this concern, it’s important to know: Can marijuana use impact my child custody case? Continue reading
When a court has jurisdiction over a case, it has the legal authority to make rulings and decisions regarding the issues and the parties. Jurisdiction can usually be found where the parties and property at issue are located. However, it can be less clear in a custody case when the parties and their children reside in different communities. Therefore, if you are involved in a California child custody matter, you need to know: How does jurisdiction work in a California child custody case? Continue reading
Developing mutually agreeable custody terms during divorce can be a lengthy and involved process. Even when parents are relatively amicable, it can be challenging to craft orders that consider and balance everyone’s needs. Once your final legal and physical custody terms are in place, it can be a relief. However, what happens if you need to relocate? In this situation, you need to know: How will my move impact my California child custody order? Continue reading
Stepparents can be an essential part of a child’s life. These individuals often provide caregiving and can form their own unique bond with their stepchildren. When a parent and stepparent divorce, it can raise questions about the children’s future connection with their parent’s former spouse. If you are a parent or stepparent, you may be wondering: Can a stepparent get visitation in California? Continue reading
When parents divorce, they will go from sharing parenting responsibilities within the same family to becoming exes who co-parent. Depending on the circumstances, the shift in the relationship can feel abrupt, and it can take time to establish a functional dynamic. In some situations, it may help to use outside resources to assist with co-parenting. If you and your ex are having trouble exchanging information, you may be wondering: Do I need a third-party communication service to co-parent? Continue reading
When parents divorce, one of the most important decisions they will make is how they will share physical custody of their kids. In some cases, parents may want to divide their time equally or “50/50.” This may seem like an equitable and logical choice. However, if you are considering this type of arrangement, you will want to know: Is 50/50 the best custody option for my kids? Continue reading
During divorce, parents often establish a schedule that sets out how they will spend time with their kids. Generally, the expectation is that custodial parents will be with their children during their designated care periods. However, there can be situations when a parent may need to leave their children with someone else. Depending on the circumstances, you may or may not be comfortable with a third party watching your kids when your ex is away. If that is the case, you may want to consider adding the “Right of First Refusal” to your California parenting agreement. If you have not heard of this term, you may be wondering: Do I need the “right of first refusal” in my custody order? Continue reading