A custody plan that worked well when your child was younger may become harder to manage as they grow. Over time, you may find that the plan no longer fits what your child needs now. California allows you to ask the court to change custody or parenting time when your...
Child Custody
How to handle parental alienation during a custody dispute
Allegations of parental alienation can intensify conflict between co-parents and create lasting harm to an entire family if not addressed carefully. Parental alienation generally refers to a pattern of behavior in which one parent attempts to damage a child’s...
What to do if you suspect the other custodial parent is experiencing mental health problems
Co-parenting can be difficult in the best of circumstances, but it becomes much, much harder if you add a parent's undiagnosed, untreated medical condition. In some cases-- the ideal ones-- parents will welcome a diagnosis and treatment. In other cases, unfortunately,...
The “child’s best interest” standard
The most important factor in contested child custody cases is the child’s best interest. However, parents and a California judge might have different views on what this constitutes. Accordingly, it is important for all involved to understand what is taken into account...
Preparing to co-parent during the holidays
Parents in California often look forward to providing fun, memorable times for their children during the holidays. However, if they are not in a romantic relationship and are co-parenting, they must make clear plans to avoid tension and conflict that can affect their...
The path to successfully co-parenting a special needs child
Co-parenting is a journey that comes with its own obstacles, but when a child has special needs, the dynamics become even more intricate. It requires an extra layer of understanding, communication and cooperation to provide the best possible care and support for the...
Embracing a child-centered divorce
Having a child-centered divorce in California should aim to create an environment where children feel loved, supported and shielded from the conflicts arising from their parents' separation. By placing the needs and interests of children at the forefront, parents can...
The drawbacks of nesting for parents in California
California parents looking for truly equal custody arrangements may have some difficulty. Traditional custody arrangements have one parent having primary custody, and both parents alternating weekends. But there are newer custody arrangements available to parents,...
How to create an effective parenting plan
When California parents decide to separate, one of the most important decisions that they have to make is how to share custody of their children. This can be a difficult process, but it is crucial that both parents come up with a solid parenting plan so that the...
Determining the “best interest” of a child in child custody cases
When it comes to child custody cases in California, the " best interest" of the child is always the primary consideration. This means that the court will look at a variety of factors to determine where a child will thrive. The child's age A child's age at the time of...
