Garden Grove Child Custody Lawyer

Garden Grove Child Custody Attorney

When seeking a divorce or legal separation in California, parents are required to come up with a plan on how to go about sharing custody or parenting time with their children. These are often tricky legal situations, and tensions can run high. It is essential that you hire a legal advocate and professional who can stand by your side throughout these proceedings and protect your parental rights. At Minyard Morris, our 20 Garden Grove child custody lawyers are here to help.

In divorce or separation proceedings, the topic of child custody is often the most heated. It can be difficult to entertain the idea of having to spend time away from your child, especially if you have good reason to no longer trust your co-parent and the skills they have to fulfill the duties of a parent. When parents cannot agree on a parenting plan or on a custody ruling, it will be left up to the judge to make this determination and it is vital to have an attorney on your side.

With over 350 years of collective experience, the team at Minyard Morris (formed over 48 years ago) is here to review your case and help litigate your side of the custody battle. We can be aggressive in our representation and do everything in our power to ensure you achieve the favorable case outcome you most desire. Trust our team with your case and see why we are viewed as one of the most reputable family law firms in the state of California.

What Is a Parenting Plan in Garden Grove, California?

In California, a parenting plan needs to include orders regarding child custody and parenting time, otherwise known as visitation. This plan should describe how the children will be cared for, where they will live, and when they will get to see each parent. When individuals cannot agree on this parenting plan, they will need to go before a judge who will make the final ruling on how the parenting plan will be structured.

It is the assumption of California family courts that children will benefit from contact with both parents unless this is deemed to not be in the best interest of the child for certain reasons. This can mean, for example, that if one parent retains primary or sole physical custody of a child, the other parent may be awarded some form of visitation within the parenting plan. The visitation plans can include the following:

• Scheduled visitation. This form of visitation includes a written and agreed-upon schedule regarding how the children will spend time with each of their parents. This can help avoid confusion and conflict between the parents and allow them more room for cooperation. Typically, these schedules can include holidays, special occasions, and vacations.
• Reasonable visitation. These visitation plans are more open-ended and left up to the parents to decide how to handle them and work out visitation schedules. This type of visitation only works in situations where the parents can get along and communicate effectively with one another, allowing flexibility to exist in their co-parenting relationship.
• Supervised visitation. This form of visitation is utilized when there are concerns raised about the children’s safety or overall welfare when in the custody of one of the parents. The custodial parent, another trusted adult, or a professional agent usually supervises these visits. It can also come into play in cases where the non-custodial parent and the child need more time to get comfortable with one another.

It is important to keep in mind, too, that there are cases in which one parent may retain no visitation rights whatsoever, especially if they are deemed to be a physical or emotional danger to the children. At Minyard Morris, we can assist you in keeping your children safe and your parental rights intact.

How Minyard Morris Can Help You Retain Your Parental Rights

At Minyard Morris, we have a firm belief that all matters of family law, including child custody battles, require more than just legal know-how; they demand excellent strategy and a dedication to quality client service. For years, our team has honed both skills and practices that can put these beliefs into action in any of our client’s cases. When you choose to work with us, you aren’t just hiring the help of a single lawyer; you are gaining a team of individuals ready to fight.

Our firm’s team-based approach allows every case to benefit from the resources, knowledge, and experience of 20 family law attorneys. We can assist you by educating you on the child custody laws of California and how they impact your situation, can help negotiate with your co-parent and their legal team on a favorable parenting plan, and can litigate your side of the story before a judge with professionalism and aggressive advocacy.

When facing the challenging matters involved in child custody cases, trust the team at Minyard Morris to have your back. We can be fierce in our defense of your rights as a California parent.

FAQs

Q: Can I Seek a Child Custody Modification After a Final Ruling?

A: Yes, if you have a valid reason, you do retain the right to seek a modification in your child custody arrangement following a judge’s final ruling. It is vital to have an attorney on your side during the modification process, as it can be complicated and difficult to understand. Common reasons for seeking a modification can include the changing needs of a child or a co-parent not adhering to the terms of an agreement.

Q: What Mistakes Should Be Avoided in a Child Custody Case?

A: There are several mistakes you may want to avoid in a child custody case, as these mistakes may have an impact on your parental rights. These mistakes can include showing disrespect in court hearings, trying to undermine your co-parent’s ability to parent or trying to turn the children against them, and speaking poorly about your co-parent in front of or directly to your children.

Q: What Makes a Parent Unfit for Custody?

A: In California, a judge will base their custody ruling on what they deem to be in the best interest of the child. A parent may be seen as unfit and their parenting time not in the best interests of the child if they have a history of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect or have a history of substance abuse.

Q: What Are the Two Forms of Custody?

A: There are two main forms of custody in California. These include legal custody, or the right and responsibility of the awarded parent to make certain life decisions regarding their child, such as their healthcare, education, or religious upbringing, or physical custody, or with which parent the child will reside. In both situations, the parents may be awarded custody jointly, or one parent may retain the form of custody solely.

Lawyers Offering Fierce Advocacy in Garden Grove

If you are looking for a team of attorneys ready to fight for your parental rights, look no further than the professionals at Minyard Morris. We have the experience and knowledge needed to advocate for your rights and interests. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.