Murrieta Child Custody Attorney

Navigating Child Custody Challenges throughout Coachella Valley and surrounding areas 

When your future with your children is on the line, it is essential to have an attorney who listens, understands, and fights aggressively when necessary. Facing difficult custody decisions can take an emotional toll on all those involved.

With over 44 years of experience, our qualified Murrieta divorce lawyers at Penna Coker APLC, A Family Law Firm can help guide you through all family law matters related to child custody cases and provide the legal support you need to protect your family's best interests.

Call Penna Coker APLC, A Family Law Firm, today at (951) 900-3342 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our child custody attorney in Murrieta! We serve clients from Menifee, Temecula, San Diego, Riverside, Lake Elsinore, Coachella Valley and surrounding areas.

How Is Child Custody Decided in California?

Taking an issue to family court can present different potential outcomes. Depending on each family's situation, there are various ways to divide the time a child will spend with their parents. These can include sole custody or joint custody.

A judge's primary concern during a child custody hearing is the child's best interests. When determining the child's best interests, the judge should consider several factors that impact the child's well-being.

These factors may include:

Either parent can have sole custody of the child, or parents may be able to work out an agreement to divide custody and responsibility. If the parents do not agree, it will be up to the judge to decide the best possible custody arrangement based on the factors above.

What are the Different Types of Custody?

Child custody in Murrieta encompasses both legal and physical custody, and each can be awarded solely to one parent (sole custody) or shared between both parents (joint custody).

• Legal custody: This refers to a parent or parents with the authority to decide on the child's medical care, religion, education, extracurricular activities, travel, and any other basic needs the child may require.
• Physical custody: This refers to the parent or parents with whom the child will be living.

There are two distinctions in physical custody as well:

• Joint physical custody: The child is living with both parents.
• Sole physical custody: The child mostly lives with one parent and will have designated time to visit the other parent.

In some cases, the courts may grant "joint legal custody" and sole physical custody which allows both parents to make important decisions on behalf of the child while the child still lives with one parent.

How Is Physical Custody Determined?

You must provide solid reasons to support your request for custody. Your plea to the courts must be convincing and based on facts. The courts will examine all factors that help establish what custody orders will be in the best interest of the child.

What Makes a Parent Unfit?

California family courts may deem a parent unfit if certain circumstances compromise the child's safety and well-being. Factors that may contribute to a finding of parental unfitness include:

• Substance Abuse: Ongoing issues with drug or alcohol abuse can jeopardize a parent's ability to provide a safe and stable environment.
• Domestic Violence: A history of domestic violence, whether directed towards the child or the other parent, is a significant concern for the court.
• Neglect or Abuse: Evidence of neglect or abuse, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, can lead to a determination of unfitness.
• Criminal Activity: Serious criminal activity, especially if it poses a risk to the child, may impact a parent's fitness.

At Penna Coker APLC, A Family Law Firm, our child custody attorneys meticulously gather and present evidence relevant to parental fitness, ensuring your case is presented favorably.

Contact Our Murrieta Child Custody Attorney Today

You want the best for your children and to be treated fairly. Get the legal help to protect your rights and options from a firm dedicated to compassion and integrity.

At Penna Coker APLC, A Family Law Firm, our child custody lawyer in Murrieta offers the help you need for your child custody case. We also offer mediation services for those who wish to reach an amicable resolution without involving the court. Our focus on family law makes us exceptionally qualified to assist you in matters of child custody.

Contact Penna Coker APLC, A Family Law Firm, by calling (951) 900-3342 today to schedule a meeting with our child custody lawyer in Murrieta!