Claremont Parenting Time and Child Custody Attorneys
Fighting for Your Right to Raise Your Kids
At Blasser Law, we know that sharing quality time with your kids is the most important thing for most parents. To ensure that you get the time and influence with your kids that you deserve, you need to present the strongest arguments in your child custody dispute. Our seasoned child custody and parenting time attorneys are here to help.
The parenting time legal team at Blasser Law understands the ins and outs of the California family court system. We know the arguments that work, the courts, lawyers, experts, and other players who are involved, and the evidence that matters. We know how to negotiate for the parenting time schedule that you deserve, and we know how to fight when a high-conflict co-parent refuses to compromise. We’ll work to negotiate the child custody settlement that works best for you and your children, but when negotiation is off the table, our trial-ready legal team will fight for your rights until the end.
What is Parenting Time?
In California, parenting time is the modern term for “visitation.” In recent years, California courts and family law practitioners concluded that the term “visitation” undervalues the relationship between a child and their non-custodial parent. Visitation implies that the two are strangers, that the non-custodial parent is merely “visiting” or baby-sitting. Both parents serve an equally important role in a child’s life, and California courts have both rephrased and recontextualized child custody disputes to recognize the importance of both parents’ contributions to a child’s upbringing.
Establishing Parenting Time in California
In California, parenting time is generally discussed in relation to a parenting time arrangement either agreed upon by the parties or determined by the court. Parents who are separating are encouraged to develop a parenting plan, also called a “custody and visitation agreement” or a “time-share plan.” The plan is the parent’s written agreement concerning how much time the child will spend with each parent–a schedule of time for overnight stays and other events–as well as how the parents will come to decisions regarding education, religion, medical issues, and other matters concerning the child’s welfare and upbringing.
California courts strongly prefer the parents reach agreement on a parenting plan, which would then be presented to the court as part of a divorce settlement agreement. Parents can reach an agreement through settlement negotiations or mediation, as formal or informal as needed to aid in reaching a consensus. California family courts mandate parents in a custody dispute to attend mediation and/or “custody recommending counseling sessions” in all child custody cases before asking the court to decide on the matter. Talk to your California parenting time lawyer about your case and how you can work to reach an amicable arrangement with your ex or other co-parent.
What if the Parents Cannot Agree on Parenting Time?
If the parties cannot agree on a child custody and parenting time arrangement, it will be up to the court to make a decision. As with other custody matters, the parenting time arrangement will be determined based on the best interests of the child. The court will consider several factors to evaluate the best interests of the child, including:
- The age and maturity of the child
- Each parent’s ability, capacity, and desire to care for the child
- The relationship between each parent and the child
- Each parent’s emotional and mental stability
- The child’s wishes, depending upon their age
- Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
- Where the child attends school
- The child’s health
- Any special needs of the child
Consult with your family law attorney to ensure that you present the strongest argument for the parenting time arrangement that best suits your family.
If you are considering divorce with children or dealing with other child custody matters, our southern California family lawyers are ready to help. For a consultation on your child custody dispute, parenting time negotiation, divorce, or annulment, contact a trusted and exceptional Claremont parenting time attorney at Blasser Law for a consultation at 877-927-2181.
