Don't Go Through a Custody Battle Alone – Hire an Orange County Child Custody Lawyer!
A custody battle can be an intense and emotional process, particularly if you are going through it with an ex who is not acting in the true best interests of your child. You may be tempted to handle the entire matter on your own, but this can be disastrous if you do not have experience in California family law courts. Hiring an Orange County Child Custody Lawyer can help ensure that you and your family receive the care you deserve, keeping you focused on what really matters: your family's well-being.
What do judges look for in Orange County child custody cases?
Child custody cases are usually decided based on what is truly best for the child. This means that the judges will look at factors such as who has been most involved with the children and who can provide a better environment for them to grow. Judges also take into account which parent is most likely to give the other parent access to see their children.
The judge’s decision is made after considering all of these different factors, but there is no way to know how they will rule before you meet with your attorney. That is why it is essential and vital to ensure that you have a competent attorney representing you in court. You should never go through this process without legal help.
Types of custody in California
California law recognizes two types of custody, physical custody and legal custody. They are discussed at length below:
- Physical Custody
Physical custody orders include where the child resides or whether the child would live with you or the other spouse. Physical custody can be divided into joint physical custody and sole physical custody.
Under joint physical custody, both parents have the right and duty to share the child’s accommodation. The period each parent receives can be decided between the parties or by the court.
Under sole physical custody, one parent has the exclusive right to keep the child under his or her supervision. This order is issued only if the court believes it is in the best interest of the child to reside with one parent. Generally, the other parent gets visitation rights to spend some time with their child.
- Legal custody
Legal custody involves the right of one or both parents to make important decisions in their child’s life. Decisions about the child’s health, education, and well-being may be made by both parents or by one parent.
Joint legal custody orders are granted when the court deems it appropriate that both parents have the right to make important decisions regarding the health, education and well-being of their child.
Sole legal custody orders give one parent exclusive rights to make decisions about the child’s health, education, and well-being.
How do courts decide your child’s best interest?
Courts always consider the true best interests of the child to be the most important factor when deciding custody cases. Each custody matter is decided based on the best interests of the child.
The best interests of the child are determined based on the following parameters:
- Child’s age;
- Child’s Health;
- Capacity of each parent to truly care for the child;
- Emotional relationship shared by the individual child with both parents;
- Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse for each parent;
- Social life of the child in the community.
James Sower has a deep knowledge of California family law and has represented clients in San Diego and Riverside counties. As an experienced Orange County child custody attorney, her approach to custody issues is also based on the best interests of your children.
Her main focus is the well-being of her clients and their children. James Sowers is also a skilled negotiator, as well as an aggressive litigator who can represent your best interests and help you move toward a better future.
How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost in Orange County?
The cost of hiring an Orange County child custody attorney will depend on the type of case, how much time is spent on the case, and the billing methods used by the attorney. Some attorneys charge a flat fee for each session and others charge by the hour.
The best way to get a genuine and accurate estimate is to contact a trusted attorney in O.C and ask how they bill for their services. You can search the web for terms like child custody lawyers near me. But be sure to ask about their average costs so you can compare and contrast what’s available in your area. Our legal team at James Sowers Child Custody has years of experience representing clients in family law disputes.
From prenuptial agreements and divorce cases to custody arrangements, we have handled all types of family law matters with dedication and success. We offer affordable rates as well as flexible payment plans to make our legal services affordable for everyone. Contact us today for more information!
When can a child choose which parent to live with?
When deciding where to live, the court will consider the parents’ wishes and the children’s preferences. In some cases, children may choose which parent they would like to live with. However, judges prefer that children have both parents in their lives and generally do not decide on this option unless special circumstances exist.
The age at which a child can make such a decision varies from county to county. Some courts will allow a 12-year-old to make the decision, while other courts may require the child to be 16 or 18 before they are allowed to decide where they want to live. The exact age also depends on whether or not there is domestic violence in the family or allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment or desertion against either parent.
How long does an O.C child custody case take?
Child custody cases in Orange County can take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the circumstances. There are many crucial factors that will affect the length of the process, such as whether your case is complex, whether you and the other party have reached a settlement agreement, or whether there are criminal charges.
It is important for parents to understand this process and what it entails before moving forward with their case. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you with your case and look forward to meeting you. If you would like to schedule a consultation or have any questions, please call our office today.
What Can an Orange County Child Custody Lawyer Do for You?
Parents who are going through a difficult time in their lives facing divorce can rely on the experience of an Orange County child custody attorney like James Sower. She can successfully obtain judgments, orders, modifications, and child custody agreements for you.
He works hard and strives to tip the legal balance in his favor. James Sower understands that the best thing for her son is to reach an amicable agreement regarding custody and visitation.
From advising you on key issues to defending your rights, James Sower can help you with the following services:
Inform you about your parental rights
It is normal for one not to know their parental rights in difficult times such as divorce. By consulting an Orange County child custody attorney like James Sower, you will be better informed about your rights and responsibilities. She can also guide you through the entire process with her skill and experience.
Develop a winning strategy
James Sower understands the way California courts work. You can formulate a strategy that demonstrates how your child’s best interests are aligned with your custody request.
Represent you during litigation
If you and your spouse cannot reach a mutual agreement, James Sower can gather all the evidence, speak with the opposing party, and handle all the legal procedures during the trial to influence the decision in your favor.
Negotiate on your behalf
During her time as a family lawyer, James Sower learned that the best way to resolve family conflicts is through an amicable agreement between both parties. She is also a skilled negotiator who can control the narrative and reach a genuine solution that is satisfactory to her client.
Pursue order modification
Once a child custody order is approved, only a few conditions can cause the original to be modified. California law recognizes several reasons for obtaining modification of orders. Consult with James Sower to request a modification to your child custody order.
You deserve compassionate and expert representation!
Hiring an experienced Orange County Child Custody Lawyer is the true and proven way to protect your rights and the interests of your children. Our legal team at James Sowers Child Custody is committed to helping our clients achieve their family law goals. Our attorneys pride themselves on being well-versed in all facets of family law, including: divorce, child custody, visitation, property division, spousal support, and more.
We know this process can be difficult for both you and your children. Our goal is to help make it easier by helping you through this process so you have genuine peace of mind knowing you are in good hands. You deserve fair representation and we are ready to fight for you. Contact us at (714) 733-7065 or email info@lopezscca.com today.