Category Archives: Child Custody Visitation
Home Alone: How Young is Too Young in California?
Parents who are navigating custody issues often face the tricky question of when it is legal and safe to leave their child home alone in California. Can your ex leave your 13-year-old alone for a night out? Is it okay to leave your 10-year-old for a quick trip to the store? Can a 13-year-old… Read More »
California’s New Child Custody Law: Firearm Access Now a Key Factor
In a significant development for California family law, courts across the state are now required to consider a parent’s illegal firearm access or ownership when making certain child custody and visitation decisions. This 2025 legal reform demonstrates California’s stance that gun access, even without a history of violence, can create serious risks in contentious… Read More »
Missteps That Can Hurt Child Custody Cases
At the best of times, family life can be contentious. There is a reason the holidays are known for wonder, happiness, cheer – and dread, messy family drama, depression, etc. If family matters can be this complicated at the best of times, imagine what it is like to try to piece together a functioning… Read More »
Custody Modification: What If Your Kids Hate Living with Your Ex? Part II
Part I in this two-part series introduced readers to the basics of custody and when the courts will agree to implement a custody change to an established court-ordered custody agreement. While modifying a child custody agreement is a decision that should not be taken lightly, depending on the circumstances it is an important endeavor…. Read More »
Custody Modification: What If Your Kids Hate Living with Your Ex? Part I
Child custody battles during divorce often become heated and contentious. After a divorce decree and child custody agreement are finalized, it’s not as though those contentious months suddenly never happened. A divorce may mean a clean slate as far as your spousal and romantic relationship is concerned – but if you have children, a… Read More »
When Parents Disagree on Social Media Usage for Their Children
Co-parenting can be challenging, and social media adds another layer of complexity. Parents naturally want to protect their children, but differing opinions on social media access can lead to conflict. Social media can foster connection, community, and learning, but also brings risks. Studies show that it also coincides with a rise in teen mental… Read More »
Enforcing California Child Custody & Visitation Orders
California courts prioritize the child’s best interests when they establish child custody and visitation orders. In determining what will serve the child’s best interests, the courts will consider many factors. This will likely include items such as: The child’s age, The child’s emotional and physical well-being, The child’s relationship with each parent, Any history… Read More »
Navigating Life’s Sudden Changes in Divorce and Custody Arrangements
Every person knows that disaster and change can come at any moment. In particular, the recent Eaton and Palisades fires in California destroyed hundreds of thousands of structures causing significant loss. Amid chaos and life change, divorce and custody issues can become even more challenging. Understanding available options and receiving personalized legal guidance can… Read More »
Parallel Parenting: A Workable Alternative? Part II
Part one of our two-part series on parallel parenting introduces readers to the basic idea of parallel parenting, as well as the structure and reasons behind it. No two families are identical: and no two divorces or separations will look exactly the same. The parenting strategies that work well for one family may lead… Read More »
Parallel Parenting: A Workable Alternative? Part I
Co-parenting. A word that’s become nearly synonymous with child custody. “Co-parenting” refers to the relationship dynamic between two divorced or separated parents who still communicate and cooperate as a “Co-parenting unit” in raising their kids together. There are many parents, however, whose relationship is too volatile to peacefully co-parent. At least in the early… Read More »