Jackson, CA Child Custody Lawyers

Custody is typically the most challenging, most complicated aspect of any divorce or legal separation. It is highly emotional and often contentious, because how custody is set will affect everything about your and your children’s lives for years to come – including your relationships with each other. That’s why it is so important to work with experienced Jackson child custody lawyers who can explain your options, protect your parental rights, and advocate for the best possible resolution. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn more!

What Is Custody Like In California?

Custody in California requires a judge or family court making important decisions about the child’s best interests and future, unless the parents cooperate and work together to come up with a parenting plan (that a judge will still have to approve, but that normally gives parents more control). There are multiple decisions that have to be made, either by you or by a judge, multiple types of custody that have to be considered, and multiple factors that can influence the outcome of your case. 

Multiple choices to make:  Custody involves deciding…

• Who the child will live with and when
• Who the child will spend holidays with 
• Where the child will go to school
• When the other parent can see the child
• Which parent can claim the child on tax forms
• Which parent pays for the child’s financial needs
• Which parent provides the child’s health insurance
• What religion the child will be raised in 
• How extended family relationships will be handled
• And making other tough decisions as well. 

Not all of these decisions immediately have a clear answer, and the answer may be “both parents in different situations”, but the job of a custody agreement is essentially to clarify all of these decisions so that moving forward, the court, the parents, and the children know what the status quo will be and what is expected of them.

Multiple types of custody:  

Under California law, there are different categories of custody. There is legal custody – the rights and authority to make decisions about a child’s welfare, health, and education. There is also physical custody – who the child lives with or spends most of their time with. There is sole custody, meaning that one parent has the majority of these rights, or joint custody, meaning that both parents share these rights in some way. 

Now, because there are different categories, there are more ways that custody can be determined. For example, one parent may have sole legal custody, but both parents may equally share physical custody. 

Multiple factors a judge may consider:  When deciding on a custody agreement, a judge may take the following into account…

• The age of the child
• The child’s wishes (if old and mature enough)
• The health of the child
• The emotional ties between both parents and the child
• The ability of the parents to care for the child emotionally and physically
• The ability of the parents to provide for the child financially
• Each parent’s living situation
• Past history of parents and child, including domestic violence, substance abuse, etc. 
• Extended family ties
• The child’s ties to their community (at school, friends, etc.)
• The ability of the parents to work together
• The ability of the parents to encourage affection between the child and the other spouse 
• And other factors. 

If you want sole custody, you need to make a strong and persuasive case based on these factors that shared custody is not in the child’s best interests (or defend your side if the other parent is seeking sole custody or can’t collaborate). That’s why working with Jackson child custody lawyers is to your benefit. 

Why Choose Equal Justice Law Group To Represent You?

Our Jackson child custody lawyers understand how confusing, challenging, and cumbersome custody can be. We know what you are feeling and what you are facing. We know the stakes are high, and we also know California laws and court systems well enough to serve as a dedicated advocate for you and your child! While our priority will always be to attempt a smooth, amicable process, when that isn’t possible we are not afraid to aggressively protect your rights and your child’s well-being. 

Our firm has 21 years of experience and has served over 7,000 clients across the state! To us, every client is a partner. That means that we invite you into the process so you can have peace of mind; we will explain all of your options and what to expect using clear communication, not legal jargon, so you can feel empowered, and communicate with you frequently so you are always in the loop. 

Call Our Compassionate Jackson Child Custody Lawyers Today. 

If you are navigating divorce and have children, or are already having custody issues, call Equal Justice Law Group today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re on your side and will walk with you every step of the way!