Long Beach Child Visitation Lawyer
Practice Areas
Long Beach Child Visitation Attorney
Divorces involving children are often complex and emotional for everyone involved. Because of this, child custody and visitation matters often go to family court, where a judge is responsible for making the final decision on each issue. When deciding how child custody will be assigned, it is the legal responsibility of the court to always keep the best interests of the children in consideration. In some cases, this results in creating a parenting plan where one parent has visitation rights and the other parent has primary custody.
At the Law Office of Stacy L. Campuzano, our skilled child visitation attorneys team is committed to helping our clients find unique resolutions to their different family law issues. We understand just how complicated cases like these can become, from conflicts between parents to trying to appeal a custody decision that has already been made. With over two decades of experience in the realm of family law, you can trust that our team at the Law Office of Stacy L. Campuzano will work with you to represent your parental rights the way you deserve. If you are looking for expert legal assistance with child visitation matters or child custody here in Long Beach, California, see how we can assist you today.
What Is Child Visitation and How Is It Determined in California?
Visitation refers to the legal ability of a parent to spend time with their child after the parents separate. Whether a parent is granted visitation rights depends on a variety of factors. The existing child custody order is one of the most powerful. The two main forms of physical custody in California are known as joint physical custody and sole physical custody. In both circumstances, one parent usually has visitation rights. The other parent is considered the “main” caretaker.
Other factors that can affect how visitation is determined include:
- The capability of a parent to care for their children
- If there is a history of domestic violence with the parent
- If there is a history of substance abuse with the parent
- Stability of the parent and the stability of their home
- Children’s emotional ties to their parents
- Parent’s involvement in their children’s lives
The Different Types of Visitation
Visitation, also commonly referred to as parenting time, can come in multiple forms. These will depend on each separating couple’s unique circumstances. The most common kinds of visitation that parents are assigned in California include:
Reasonable Visitation
Reasonable visitation orders are a type of open-ended court order. These give separating couples the opportunity to work together and make decisions on visitation that work best for them. Judges most often assign reasonable visitation opportunities when the separating couple is still on good terms. In these situations, they believe that the parents working together will help form a decision that is best for the children involved. With reasonable visitation, the couple will decide what works best for them and then have the court approve their terms.
Scheduled Visitation
Scheduled visitation is a type of visitation order where the court sets specific days, dates, and times for separated couples to be with their children. For example, one parent is granted primary custody and the other receives reasonable visitation. One example of visitation would be a scenario where the children come over to the noncustodial parent’s home every other weekend. It can often be difficult for parents to come to agreements or find days that work well for them both. Scheduled visitation can help to provide more structure, predictability, and ease for parents.
Supervised Visitation
Supervised visitation is assigned when the court believes that a child seeing their parent is still in their best interest, but they still have concerns for the child’s overall safety. With this kind of visitation arrangement, the court schedules certain days where the noncustodial parent and the child can meet in a supervised location and spend time together. In most cases, the supervisor is either an assigned social worker, the custodial parent, or another trusted adult or agency. Supervised visitation is often used when the court believes a parent and child may need time to “familiarize” themselves if they have not seen each other for a long time.
No Visitation
In some cases, the court believes that it is in the child’s best interests to deny the noncustodial parent visitation rights. This can occur if the court believes that the noncustodial parent is potentially dangerous or incapable of properly caring for the child involved. If the court has decided that the child would be emotionally or physically harmed by seeing their parent, that parent may not be awarded visitation.
What Is Included in a Parenting Plan?
- Child custody arrangements or wishes for child custody arrangements
- Where the children will stay
- Each parent’s responsibilities to their child
- How exchanging the child will work (i.e., if the parents will meet at each other’s houses or a designated location for pick-up and drop-off)
- Health insurance and medical care details for each child
- Expenses for each child
- Childcare requirements
- How long a parent must wait to make decisions if the other does not respond
- Financial responsibilities for each parent
- Specific days, dates, and times that are designated for one parent or the other
Why You Need a Custody Attorney When Determining Child Visitation
Child custody cases are well-known for being consistently complicated. This is why having an experienced family law attorney can make a massive difference in your situation. Just a few of the ways that our team can help you with visitation matters include:
Representing You and the Interests of Your Children
One of the biggest reasons most individuals choose to work with an experienced family attorney is to ensure that both their child’s interests and their own are properly represented. Because divorces are often full of conflict, sometimes disputes between parents can blind them from making decisions in their children’s best interests. That is why working with a lawyer can help make sure your voice is heard. Our team can also help ensure your child and their needs are always represented.
Assist in Modifying Orders
Sometimes circumstances change, and a parent wishes to modify their child custody and visitation orders in some way. To modify a currently active child custody order, a parent will have to request a modification through the local court. There, they must provide evidence that there have been substantial life changes that require this modification. It is best to work with a child custody attorney who is familiar with the law. We can help you fill out and file the proper paperwork for your request. Our firm can also guide you through the process if it is accepted.
Help You Form a Parenting Plan
Forming a parenting plan includes a variety of important legal aspects. Working with an expert attorney can help you form a plan that addresses both your and your child’s needs properly. You may need to work with your soon-to-be ex to form a plan. You might also have to go to court to represent your interests. Having an experienced attorney on your side will make the process of forming a parenting plan much smoother.
Can a Child Voice Their Preference in Child Custody Matters in California?
Your Long Beach Child Custody Attorney
Family law cases are rarely easy. For child custody and visitation matters, it is essential to find an attorney who will listen to you and work with you. At the Law Office of Stacy L. Campuzano, our team has almost 20 years of experience providing expert family law services and advice for clients across southern California and beyond. Whether you need assistance modifying a child custody order or you want to petition for visitation rights here in Long Beach, do not wait to see how the Law Office of Stacy L. Campuzano may be able to help. To learn more about our family law services, or to request a consultation, contact us today.
