Newport Beach Child Custody Lawyer

Newport Beach Child Custody Attorney

Whether you are an unmarried parent and you have decided to end your relationship with your co-parent or you are facing a custody determination as part of a larger divorce case, an experienced Newport Beach child custody lawyer is an essential resource when you are preparing for these emotionally charged legal proceedings. The right attorney can help you understand what to expect and guide you to a positive outcome.

At Kovach Family Law, our experienced Newport Beach child custody attorneys provide highly competent and compassionate legal representation to our clients in child custody matters. We understand that these cases can be difficult, which is why we work directly with our clients to understand their goals and develop personalized strategies tailored to their unique situations.

We are highly knowledgeable about the laws and regulations related to child custody in California and can provide you with the legal advice and representation you need to protect your family’s rights. To learn more, please reach out to our firm today and request a complimentary consultation with our skilled family law team.

You can reach us online or by phone at (949) 512-7287.

Key Aspects of Child Custody Explained

Child custody is when a parent or guardian has the legal right to make decisions about a child’s life. This includes decisions about a child’s education, health care, schooling, religious upbringing, and other important matters. When parents are unable to agree on a custody arrangement, the court may intervene and decide who will be responsible for making these important decisions.

The court can award joint custody or sole custody, depending on the circumstances. The court will always rule in favor of what it deems to be the “best interests of the child.” Often, this means having both parents remain present in the child’s life.

There are several different types of child custody in California:

• Legal Custody: Legal custody allows one or both parents to make decisions about their child’s future, such as their education, health care, and religious upbringing.
• Physical Custody: Physical custody involves making decisions about a child’s day-to-day living arrangements and who will be responsible for caring for them on a regular basis.
• Sole Custody: Sole child custody means only one parent is responsible for taking care of the child, physically and otherwise.
• Joint Custody: Joint child custody means that both parents take care of the child, physically and/or legally.

The court may award any combination of child custody arrangements, such as sole physical custody and limited joint legal custody, joint physical and legal custody, or even sole physical and legal custody. Sole custody is the rarest form of child custody awarded by the court; in most cases, the court considers involvement by both parents in the child’s life to be in the child’s best interests.

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How Is Child Custody Determined?

In California, when deciding who will take care of a child, the court looks at many things. It considers the parents’ relationships with the child, their ability to provide for the child’s needs, and other factors, such as any history of abuse or neglect. The court also considers what is in the best interests of the child.

In deciding what is in the best interests of the child, the court will look at things like:

• The emotional ties between each parent and the child
• The ability of each parent to provide stability and continuity in the child’s life
• Whether either parent has a history of physical or mental abuse
• The physical and emotional needs of the child
• The mental and physical health of each parent
• Any involvement with drugs or alcohol that could affect parenting abilities
• Each parents’ willingness to foster a close relationship between the other parent and the child
• The preference of the child, if old enough to express an opinion
• The child’s cultural background

The court may also consider other factors, including any visitation schedule that the parents have worked out together or any special needs of the child. Ultimately, the court will make a decision that is in the best interests of the child. This could include giving both parents joint custody, giving one parent sole custody, or any other arrangement that the court believes is best for the child’s welfare.

In cases where parents can’t agree on who should take care of the child, it is important to have an experienced family law attorney by your side, so you understand your options and make informed decisions about what is in the best interests of your child.  Having an attorney can help you protect your rights and fight for the custody arrangement that is in your child’s best interest. If a court order is needed, an attorney can guide you through the process and make sure that any decision made by the court is fair and reasonable.

Why Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer in Newport Beach?

Many people have found hiring a child custody lawyer to be incredibly beneficial and helpful. For starters, any legal case, no matter how simple it may seem, can lead to unwanted stress and can quickly leave one feeling overwhelmed. Legal jargon, protocol, and procedure can all prove to be incredibly complex, leaving you to feel lost and exhausted. When you hire a child custody lawyer, it may be exactly what your case needs to keep confusion at bay.

When it comes to child custody cases, disagreements and distress may feel inevitable. Even when both parents approach the process with the interest of the child in mind, there may be a lack of cohesiveness on certain issues. This can lead to infighting and stalemates. Hiring an attorney who is experienced in Newport Beach child custody laws can help you avoid this, helping you maintain progress by serving as a third-party representative who keeps the conversation moving in a productive direction.

Parental abductions are currently the most common variety of kidnapping, and in 2023, 59% of all AMBER alerts sent out in the United States were connected to a parent taking their child. If you are at all concerned that your former partner may feel desperate enough to kidnap your child, contact your Newport Beach child custody lawyer and your local law enforcement right away. It is always better to be safe than sorry, even if it ends up delaying your process or proves not to be a concern.

While not every case requires the involvement of the California court system, some child custody claims either benefit from it or rely upon it when an agreement cannot be reached. If you and your former partner are unable to agree upon a child custody plan, you will most likely be presenting your case at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, which is conveniently located and handles a wide variety of family law cases.

Your lawyer may be able to help you share the circumstances of your case, advocate for your desired outcomes and rights, and guide you every step of the way as you and your former partner work to resolve your case. Hiring a Newport Beach child custody lawyer may be exactly what you need to cut through the confusion and achieve a familial situation that works for you and your child.

How Our Child Custody Attorneys Can Help

Whether you are seeking to establish a child custody arrangement or modify an existing one, our Newport Beach child custody attorneys can work closely with you to ensure that your best interests and the best interests of your child are protected. We can also provide you with the personalized advice and guidance you need to navigate the legal process and work toward the best possible outcome.

We have helped clients with all types of child custody matters, including but not limited to:

• Sole custody
• Joint custody
• Visitation
• Enforcements
• Modification requests

We understand that these cases can be emotionally charged, and we strive to provide our clients with the compassion and understanding they need to get through the process. We focus on protecting your rights as per the California law. The safety and welfare of your child matter to us, as do your goals for the future of your family.

While it may seem daunting to face a potentially drastic change, we believe in helping you establish a lifestyle that benefits both you and your child. We can guide you from start to finish. Kovach Family Law can walk alongside you, ensuring you are never left alone throughout the process. You deserve to feel confident about the future of your family, and we can help you achieve this goal and make it a reality. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.