San Fernando Valley Child Custody Attorney

Serving Woodland Hills & Beyond San Fernando Valley, CA

Those dealing with family law cases involving children face a number of unique legal challenges. From determining custody to agreeing to a monthly child support amount, parents often find themselves battling with exes over the details.

In order to achieve a fair result in the best interest of the children, it is important to have the legal guidance of a professional San Fernando Valley child custody lawyer. At Kraft Miles, A Law Corporation, our family law lawyers help parents navigate these sometimes murky waters to seek a favorable outcome for all involved — especially the children.

How Do I File for Custody and Visitation in California?

The most pressing issues, of course, are those of the child custody agreement and visitation rights. It is common for parents to seek the help of a San Fernando Valley family law attorney to help them make a strong custody case for themselves and their child. At Kraft Miles, A Law Corporation, our divorce lawyers help divorcing families manage these difficult decisions every day.

If you’re involved in a particularly contentious divorce, you might be tempted to take drastic or even vengeful action due to some perceived injustice. However, any such childish or rash decisions could affect the outcome of any future custody or visitation agreements.

Judges generally look for responsible behavior in the parents and consider whether the parent is acting in the best interest of the child. Without the advice and support of a good family lawyer, you may find yourself holding the short end of the stick in court.

We try, whenever possible, to help our clients reach a negotiated settlement. When agreement is out of the question for whatever reason, our lawyers are prepared to advocate aggressively on behalf of our clients and, most importantly, on behalf of the child.

Understanding Child Custody Law

When it comes to child custody cases, divorcing parents face a tangled web of legal options. To make an informed decision, each party should know the choices they face and the legal standards that apply to each option. At stake are questions relating to the child’s health, education, and welfare.

Whoever has custody of the child has the right and responsibility to make important decisions about the child’s life, such as:

• Where the child will live
• What school the child will attend
• What type of medical and mental health care the child will receive
• What religious institutions the child will join
• What extracurricular activities the child will participate in
• Whether the child will travel

In some cases, one parent will make all the decisions. In other custody cases, both parents take part in the decision-making process.

That’s because custody settlements fall into two general categories:

• Sole custody, in which one parent has the right and responsibility to care for the child
• Joint custody, in which parents share the rights and responsibilities

How Is Custody Determined in CA?

Many disputes are handled amicably, without the need for either party to obtain a court order. Either on their own or with the help of divorce attorneys, both parents come to an agreement regarding custody of their child. This often takes place within the normal divorce proceedings.

Other custody cases take longer to resolve. There may be disagreements about whether sole or joint custody is preferable, who gets custody, how to divide the child custody arrangement, and under what conditions visitation is allowed.

When deciding a child custody issue, your family law attorney and the court may ask:

• What is in the best interest of the child?
• What kind of activities does each parent participate in with the child?
• How much time does each parent spend with the child?
• If the child is of sufficient maturity, what are the child’s wishes?
• Has there ever been a history of domestic violence or drug abuse?

These and other factors will influence a divorce lawyer’s approach to the case and the court’s ultimate decision. If the court does grant one parent custody, or if the divorcing couple agrees on sole custody, our San Fernando Valley child support attorneys can help them reach an agreement on child support payments. Joy Kraft Miles is a family law certified specialist and has years of legal experience guiding clients through even the most complex family law matters.