Bel Air Child Custody Lawyers
As a loving parent, you want what is best for your kids. If you and your ex get along, that could mean co-parenting and making compromises. If your ex is unfit to raise your child, that could mean restricting visitation and custody to protect your child from harm.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to child custody matters because every family situation is different. The lawyers at S.L. Pitts PC are here to listen to you and figure out the best solution for your child, their safety, and their future.
If you’re going through a child custody dispute in Bel Air and need an experienced attorney near you, contact our Bel Air Child Custody Lawyers. You can also reach our child custody lawyers by phone at (424) 699-2706.
Types of Child Custody
When discussing child custody matters, we should note differences between physical custody and legal custody as well as joint custody and sole custody.
Physical Custody and Legal Custody
Physical custody and legal custody refer to roles that parents play in their children’s lives.
- Physical Custody – Physical custody refers to where a child lives and which parent is responsible for the supervision and care of the child when the child is present.
- Legal Custody – Legal custody refers to a parent’s ability to make major decisions about raising a child, such as education, medical needs, and religious upbringing.
Joint Custody and Sole Custody
Joint custody and sole custody refer to the nature of the parents’ share with regard to physical and legal custody.
- Joint Custody – Joint custody means that both parents share physical and legal custody of their child or children.
- Sole Custody – Sole custody is when only one parent has primary custody or full custody of their child.
“The Best Interests of Your Child” Explained
When it comes to custody and visitation decisions, the court will always consider the best interests of a child. There is no set definition of a child’s best interests, but this phrase gives judges a guideline of what to consider when evaluating the overall well-being of a child.
Common considerations when it comes to a child’s best interests include:
- A child’s health, safety, and overall welfare
- The relationships the child has with both parents
- Any issues with a parent that could endanger a child or destabilize a child’s upbringing
At S.L. Pitts PC, we will similarly consider the best interests of your child when it comes to figuring out visitation rights or seeking sole custody.
Why Choose S.L. Pitts PC for Child Custody Issues in Bel Air
Established in 2001, S.L. Pitts PC brings decades of experience to every family law case. There are four common reasons why parents in Beverly Hills and Bel Air turn to our child custody attorneys for guidance:
- We will always be honest about your situation
- We will develop creative and collaborative solutions
- We will keep all communication confidential
- We will always focus on the best interests of your child
Contact Experienced Bel Air Child Custody Attorneys Near You
As you’re going through a divorce or working out a parenting plan with your ex, it’s always a good idea to consult a family law attorney you can trust. At S.L. Pitts PC, we’ll give you the guidance you need to be the loving parent and provider that you are. To discuss your situation with proven child custody lawyers near Bel Air, CA, contact our family law attorneys in Beverly Hills.
Who Is the Custodial Parent and Who Is the Non-Custodial Parent?
While courts will typically try to divide time equally between parents, a child may wind up in the care of one parent more than the other.
- The Custodial Parent – The parent who spends the most time with the child or has primary custody of the child is known as the custodial parent.
- The Non-Custodial Parent – The other parent is known as the non-custodial parent. They may simply have physical custody of the child less than the custodial parent but still have an equal say regarding legal custody.
What Is a Parenting Plan?
Also known as a custody and visitation agreement, a parenting plan outlines who has physical and legal custody of their child as well as any visitation arrangements. These agreements must be made in writing and signed by both parents.
Parenting plans will often outline certain days or holidays that a child is with each parent, as well as various matters related to their health, education, and overall upbringing.
There’s a California guide on creating a parenting plan that can help you understand the basic steps of what’s involved. Drafting a solid agreement with your ex is not always easy, so feel free to reach out to our child custody attorneys near Bel Air if any questions or concerns come up.
Disputes Over Parenting Plans and Custody Arrangements
While trying to create a parenting plan, exes may disagree about all manner of decisions if they have joint custody. One parent may want their child to go to a public school while the other parent feels a private school would be better. A parent might want to go on vacation with their child during the summer months while the other parent may have already made plans for a trip with the child.
Whether you’re drafting a parenting plan as part of a divorce or you need help with a serious disagreement with your ex over changes in your schedules, the team at S.L. Pitts PC is here to offer assistance.
Can I Get Full Custody of My Child in California?
Potentially, yes.
Full physical and legal custody may be granted to one parent if the other parent is dangerous, violent, or unable to provide a stable environment to raise a child. These types of cases will typically involve the following issues:
- Child abuse, neglect, or endangerment
- Domestic violence or spousal abuse
- Alcohol or drug addiction/abuse
- The parent has psychological/mental health issues
- The parent lives in a dangerous environment
If you feel that full custody would be in your child’s best interests, our lawyers serving Bel Air and other nearby communities can help. We encourage you to read our guide on how to get full child custody in California if you need more information about potential red flags with regard to bad co-parenting and unfit parenting.
Be sure to speak with our attorneys as soon as possible if your child is in danger. We can tell you what legal steps you can take to remove your child from a dangerous situation and initiate the process to obtain full/sole physical and legal custody.
Questions About Child Custody? Contact Our Lawyers Near Bel Air, CA
Disputes over child custody can be extremely stressful and complicated. You need skilled family law attorneys on your side who can explain your options and what makes the most sense for your child’s best interests. S.L. Pitts PC can offer perspective and support. If you live in Bel Air and need to speak with qualified child custody lawyers near you, contact our Beverly Hills family law office.
Child Visitation/Parenting Time
The time a non-custodial parent spends with their child is known as parenting time or visitation in California. This is typically determined by the parenting plan both parents signed.
For joint custody arrangements, scheduled visitation is essential for non-custodial parents who want to have some quality time with their children. If one parent has sole custody, parenting time is an opportunity for non-custodial parents to still be a meaningful part of their child’s life.
Virtual Visitation with a Child
When in-person parenting time isn’t an option, parents can supplement their visitation through the use of Zoom, Google Meet, and other video conferencing apps. Phone calls, texts, and other electronic messages can similarly allow parents to get in contact and remain a loving presence in their child’s life.
Losing Visitation Rights
As noted in California Family Code Section § 3100, there are a variety of reasons why a parent may lose their ability to see their child. As noted above when we discussed full custody, a parent may lose access to their child if they have a history of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, or anything that could put the life of their child in danger.
Supervised Visitation When a Child Is in Danger
Sometimes a non-custodial parent is granted visitation rights even though they are unfit to raise a child in their home. If a custodial parent has concerns about the safety of their child while the child is visiting the non-custodial parent, our child custody lawyers near Bel Air may suggest supervised child visitation.
Supervised child visitation can satisfy the court’s order that the non-custodial parent have scheduled time with their child while putting the custodial parent’s mind at ease with regard to overall child safety.
How Supervised Visitation with a Child Works
During supervised child visitation, a third-party observer will be present when the child is with the non-custodial parent. This third party is known as a provider.
The provider can monitor what’s said during the visit, closely observe the behavior of the child and the non-custodial parent, and prematurely end the visit if the situation warrants intervention. The provider can be present for both in-person visitations as well as virtual visitations.
There’s a CA guide to supervised visitation we recommend reading about these situations. Our child custody attorneys near Bel Air can offer additional insight and advice if supervised visitation is necessary.
Disputes Over Parenting Time/Child Visitation Rights
As you can imagine, there are many disagreements and disputes that arise concerning parenting time. One parent may want to restrict access to a child over safety concerns regarding the other parent. There may be restrictions on virtual visitation from the non-custodial parent while a child is spending time with the custodial parent. There are also important concerns about getting equal time whenever possible in co-parenting arrangements.
If any kinds of issues arise that affect your relationship with your kids, our child custody attorneys near Bel Air can help advocate for you and the best interests of your child.
Parental Alienation in Custody and Visitation Disputes
Sometimes a child is used as a pawn by one parent to get back at the other parent. This can take many forms, but parental alienation is an especially nasty example of this.
Parental alienation is when one parent manipulates their child into disliking their other parent. This is often accomplished through lies, exaggerations, and other underhanded tactics that sow distrust or hatred in a child.
If you suspect that your child is being manipulated by your ex into hating you or wanting to spend less time with you, our lawyers are ready to help.
Contact Our Law Firm About Visitation and Parenting Plan Issues
At S.L. Pitts PC, we’ll make sure that the best interests of your child are always at the forefront of custody and visitation matters. If you’re a loving parent in Bel Air and need help from a child custody or visitation lawyer near you, contact our family law attorneys in Beverly Hills.
Modifying Child Custody and Parenting Plans
People’s lives can change quite suddenly. And as children get older, their needs will gradually change.
These realities will require amendments to an existing parenting plan. If disputes arise while asking for a modification to the parenting plan, our family law attorneys can help.
Reasons for Modifying a Parenting Plan
Some common reasons to modify an existing parenting plan include:
- Relocation to a new city, state, or country
- Military deployment
- Changes in employment, working hours, or income
- Medical emergencies or serious illness
- Changes in a child’s needs (particularly when growing up)
- A parent violated the existing custody agreement or other court orders
- A parent is found to be unfit to raise a child
Child Custody Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
If you are on good terms with your ex or want to maintain a positive co-parenting relationship, our attorneys may recommend alternatives to a courtroom battle. Alternative dispute resolution can potentially save time and money as long as both sides are willing to make compromises for the good of their kids.
Collaborative Family Law
Collaborative family law means that both parents and their lawyers meet together to discuss the situation and reach a mutually agreeable resolution. This direct negotiation is done respectfully outside of court. While there may be disagreements, the collaborative aspect of this method helps keep both parents focused on the best interests of their kids.
Family Law Mediation
If direct communication and negotiation is not advisable, there’s always mediation. Mediation involves a disinterested third-party known as a mediator. The parents and their legal representation remain separated, with the mediator presenting proposals from one parent to the other. Using the mediator as a go-between helps reduce conflict and prevent arguments that could hurt feelings or cause strife in a co-parenting arrangement.
Need Help with Child Custody? Speak with Proven Family Lawyers Near You
Whatever your situation is, you can count on us to provide honest advice and develop creative solutions. If you’re going through a family law issue in Bel Air and need to speak with experienced child custody attorneys near you, contact S.L. Pitts PC in Beverly Hills. You can also reach our child custody lawyers by phone at (424) 699-2706.