These include:
- Physical custody. This type of custody determines where the child lives. With joint physical custody, the child alternates between both parents’ homes based on a set schedule. In some cases, joint custody does not mean a perfect 50-50 split because of school, daycare, or logistics. One parent may have primary physical custody while the other parent has specified overnights or weekends.
- Legal custody. Legal custody gives a parent authority over major life decisions for the child, such as choosing schools, handling health and dental care, and making decisions about religion or other essential matters.
- Third-party custody. Courts award this when giving custody to either parent would not be in the child's best interests. Grandparents, relatives, guardians, or even close family friends can obtain third-party custody in certain situations. The court does not appoint these guardians; the third party must take the step to seek custody.
Courts consider many factors when deciding on custody arrangements. These include each parent’s willingness to cooperate, how close parents live to each other, and how the child adapts to their home, school, and community environment.
Custody may be joint or sole for both physical and legal types. California courts usually want children to keep strong relationships with both parents unless safety concerns, such as domestic violence or substance abuse, prevent it. Judges focus on what benefits the child most and apply equal standards to both mothers and fathers.
Every family’s situation is different. Courts in Long Beach often encourage parents to present a detailed plan that considers the child’s local school, community resources, and support from extended family. Customizing a schedule eases transitions and fits the child’s daily routine, reducing stress and future disputes. An attorney who understands both the legal landscape and local expectations can explain how California law and Long Beach court practices might shape your custody options.
What is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a schedule that is constructed outlining the time spent with each parent. Where joint custody has been granted, such a plan would detail the schedule the child would maintain in living alternately with each parent. In creating such a plan, it is important to be as detailed as possible, also laying out arrangements for:
- Holidays
- Special occasions
- Summer breaks
- Birthdays
- How the child is to be transported back and forth between homes
A well-drafted parenting plan clarifies expectations and reduces conflict, which helps the child feel secure. Parents often add terms for handling future disputes and describing how they will communicate.
Mediation and other dispute resolution tools help parents create better parenting plans, letting them collaborate while avoiding drawn-out court battles.
Visitation Schedules for Noncustodial Parents
Where sole physical custody has been granted, a “visitation” schedule may be arranged giving the noncustodial parent specific time with the child. The more specific any type of plan is, the less chance there will be for disputes. The more the plan is adhered to, the more stability the child will have.
Visitation schedules may include weekend visits, midweek dinners, and longer blocks during holidays or vacations. Customizing plans to the family’s routine lowers the potential for future disagreement and sustains strong relationships between parents and children.
When both parents agree on custody and visitation terms, they can submit the agreement to court to become a legally binding order.
How Do Courts Decide Custody in California?
If parents cannot agree on custody, California courts decide based on several important criteria.
Determining factors may include:
- The child's age and health
- The child's connections to home, school, and other activities
- The relationship the child has had with each parent
- Whether one parent has acted as the main caregiver
- Whether a parent will encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent
- The ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs
- Each parent’s financial resources
- Any other relevant factor the court identifies
Courts aim to provide a balanced environment for the child’s emotional growth. The court looks favorably on parents who act cooperatively and focus on the child, not personal disputes.
Judges may use input from trained mental health professionals or custody evaluators to guide their decision and better understand the child’s needs.
If a child is at least 14 and mature enough to express a preference, the court may give weight to that preference in making a custodial order.
Families in Long Beach prepare for hearings at the Long Beach Family Law Courthouse on Magnolia Avenue, where judges follow both state and local guidelines. Delivering requested documentation on time and keeping up with court procedures helps move the process forward. Consult a local attorney to better understand what the judges expect in this courthouse and make sure important points are addressed for your family’s unique circumstances.
Find out how we can assist you with child custody. Contact Curtis Family Law today at (562) 315-7107.
Establishing Paternity in California
Paternity cases deal with situations where parents are not married. An unmarried mother may ask the court to determine paternity to obtain child support. An unmarried father may seek legal recognition to gain custody and have a voice in the child’s life. Either parent may take action to start this process. Paternity is generally discovered by DNA testing, and once the biological father is established, he may have support obligations and may petition for custody or visitation rights.
Legal paternity grants the child access to important benefits, including inheritance, social security, and health insurance. It also helps strengthen the bond between father and child.
Legal advice during the paternity process ensures that each party’s rights and responsibilities remain clear.
Can Custody be Granted to Someone Other Than a Child's Parents?
Sometimes courts determine neither parent should have custody of the child because of proven risk. In those cases, grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends may ask for custody. The court needs detailed evidence to consider granting custody to another adult, and it always weighs what arrangement serves the child’s interests most.
Third-party custody cases in Long Beach may involve referrals to local services such as social workers, family therapists, and school counselors. These services help judges assess potential guardians and evaluate how well a child might adjust to a new environment. Local courts occasionally request reports from professionals who are familiar with the child’s life and circumstances in the community.
Curtis Family Law provides guidance for families navigating this process, helping you meet your legal obligations while focusing on the child’s welfare by making a thorough presentation of facts to the court.
Common Child Custody FAQs
How Can I Modify an Existing Custody Order in California?
Modification of a custody order is possible when a significant change affects the child’s well-being. These changes often include a parent’s relocation, schedule changes, or health concerns. To ask for a modification, one parent submits a request with supporting proof.
The process generally starts with collecting documents that show the change in events—such as job notices or updated medical information. After filing, the court notifies the other parent and reviews details in a hearing. A child custody attorney helps you navigate forms, prepare for court, and focus on what supports your child’s stability and routines, since courts prioritize this above all.
What Happens if a Parent Violates a Custody Order?
When a parent violates a custody order, the other parent should keep records of every missed exchange or communication about the violation. Attempts to resolve the disagreement directly with the other parent are encouraged before turning to the court.
If direct contact does not resolve the matter, the next option involves filing a court motion to enforce the order. A judge may require parents to attend mediation or may schedule a hearing to review the custody arrangement. Judges may order sanctions or change the custody plan if repeated violations occur. Courts take willful violations seriously and can impose penalties on parents who disregard the court’s orders.
How is Child Support Determined in Custody Cases?
Child support is determined by looking at both parents’ income and the amount of time the child spends in each home. The court uses state guidelines, but considers each parent’s ability to pay, any healthcare or school-related expenses, and the details of the custody order when setting payments.
California courts rely on a calculation formula, but they also review any unique needs the child has, such as medical or educational costs. A child custody lawyer can guide parents on what documents to submit and help explain each step of the process so they understand how support is calculated.
What Should I Know About Relocating with My Child?
Relocation after a custody order requires careful review of the existing agreement and, often, formal notice to the other parent. Relocation requests may include information on the new address and reasons for the move. If the move is contested, courts examine its effects on the child’s daily life and relationships.
Judges consider the distance, educational impact, and motive for the proposed move. In disputed cases, mediation or a hearing may be required to resolve disagreements. Courts in California always strive to minimize disruption to the child and keep the child’s needs at the center of any decision.
Turn to Our Experienced Long Beach Child Custody Lawyer
No matter the circumstances influencing your custody case—whether divorce, paternity, or a third-party petition—our firm offers supportive guidance to help you seek a result that protects your relationship with your child in the years ahead.
Our client-focused approach keeps your priorities at the forefront and uses in-depth California family law knowledge to help you clearly communicate your objectives in and out of court.
Child custody cases in Long Beach and Southern California combine family relationships with regional court practices. We use experience in area courts to explain what to expect, support you through the hearing process, and clarify the resources available to families here. By guiding you on local court schedules and realistic timelines, we aim to set you up for a smoother process during a challenging time.
Find out how we can assist you with child custody. Contact Curtis Family Law today at (562) 315-7107.
