Our California Child Custody Guides and Articles
Navigating child custody can be one of the most challenging aspects of a divorce or separation. Whether you're beginning to understand your rights and options or deep into a complex custody battle, you need reliable information.
This page compiles guides and articles covering all aspects of child custody, from the basics of California's custody laws to the nuances of legal and physical custody arrangements.
These resources guide you through the key issues you may encounter in your child custody case. It is a wonderful starting point before seeking legal advice about your situation.
We've organized the information into Child Custody Guides, Articles About Legal Custody, and Articles About Physical Custody.
Explore the guides and articles below to better understand the child custody process and what it means for you and your family.
Child Custody Guides
California Child Custody Laws Guide
This article outlines the key California statutes and legal standards governing child custody, offering insight into how these laws impact custody decisions and what parents should expect during custody litigation.
How Do You Prove Parental Alienation?
This article delves into parental alienation (which is a form of child abuse), explaining how it can affect custody arrangements and what evidence is necessary to prove alienation in court.
Move-Away Cases
Move-away cases involve one parent seeking to relocate with the child, complicating custody arrangements. This article discusses the legal considerations and court processes involved in these cases.
Child's Preference in Custody: How and When to Choose
This article examines the circumstances under which a child's preference may influence custody decisions, including the factors that determine whether a child's wishes will be considered by the court.
What Happens After Temporary Custody is Granted
Temporary custody orders are often issued early in custody disputes. This article explains what happens after these orders are granted and how they can affect the final custody arrangement.
False Allegations of Child Abuse
This guide gets into false allegations of child abuse in family law cases, why a parent would ever do such a terrible thing and how to combat false allegation cases.
Articles About Legal Custody
Legal Custody
Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about a child's life, such as education and healthcare. This article explains the differences between legal and physical custody and the implications for parents.
Joint Legal Custody
Joint legal custody means both parents share the decision-making responsibilities for their child. This article explores how joint legal custody works and what parents should consider.
Sole Legal Custody
Sole legal custody grants one parent the exclusive right to make major decisions for the child. This article discusses the circumstances under which sole legal custody should be awarded and its impact on the non-custodial parent.
Modifying Legal Custody
Modifications to legal custody occur when circumstances significantly change. This article outlines the legal standards and processes for seeking a modification.
Joint Legal Custody in California: Rights
This article deeply explores the rights and responsibilities of parents who share joint legal custody in California and offers practical advice on navigating potential conflicts.
Articles About Physical Custody
Physical Custody
Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who is responsible for the child's day-to-day care. This article explains the types of physical custody arrangements and how courts decide on physical custody.
Joint Physical Custody
Joint physical custody means the child lives with both parents for significant periods. This article explores the benefits and challenges of joint physical custody arrangements.
Sole Physical Custody
Sole physical custody means the child lives primarily with one parent. This article discusses when sole physical custody might be granted and its implications for both parents.
Modifying Physical Custody
This article covers the process for modifying physical custody orders, including the legal standards for requesting a change.
Non-Custodial Parent Rights
Non-custodial parents have specific rights regarding their child, even if they do not have physical custody. This article outlines these rights and how they can be enforced.
Right of First Refusal
The right of first refusal is a commonly contested issue in custody agreements. It requires one parent to offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the child before seeking third-party care. This article explains how this right works in practice, when to avoid it, its positive features and drawbacks.